Girl group NewJeans (Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, Hyein) is expected to return to their agency ADOR after a year-long conflict over their exclusive contracts. However, several hurdles still remain.

On the 12th, ADOR released an official statement saying, “Members Haerin and Hyein have expressed their intention to continue their activities with ADOR.”

The agency continued, “After careful consideration with their families and thorough discussions with ADOR, the two members decided to respect the court’s ruling and comply with their exclusive contracts.”

Later that same evening, Minji, Hanni, and Danielle announced through their legal representative, “After careful deliberation, we have decided to return to ADOR. One member is currently in Antarctica, which delayed communication. Since ADOR has not yet responded, we had no choice but to release our statement separately.”

Their sudden decision to return came just one day before the deadline for filing an appeal following the first-trial loss in the lawsuit over the validity of their exclusive contracts. The way the announcements were made raised many questions. Because Hyein and Haerin announced through ADOR first, while Minji, Hanni, and Danielle made their announcement separately through their lawyer, some wondered if NewJeans was splitting into two and three members—similar to the case of FIFTY FIFTY’s Keena, who withdrew her appeal alone after losing the first trial for injunction on her exclusive contract.

However, according to Star News, the four NewJeans members—excluding the one currently in Antarctica—met with ADOR CEO Lee Do-kyung along with their parents before ADOR’s announcement on the 12th to discuss their return. Although not all five were present, the members continued discussions afterward, effectively moving toward a full-group return. It appears clear that all five members have decided to return to ADOR, though the staggered announcements and lack of coordination remain puzzling points.

On the 13th, the day after the members’ statements, ADOR commented, “We are coordinating individual meeting schedules with the three members,” adding, “We will do our best to ensure smooth discussions.”

Meanwhile, former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin expressed her support for NewJeans’ return.

She said, “The members’ decision to return together must have come after deep thought and conversation. I respect and support that choice.” She added, “Though there were difficulties, I cherish the courage the members showed in taking each other’s hands again. I can start fresh anywhere, but I believe NewJeans must always be protected as a complete group of five.”


Written by Yoon Sang Geun
Translated by Lee So Yun