All Five Members of NewJeans Return to ADOR; HYBE Anticipates Full-Scale Activities in Second Half of Next Year

NewJeans has decided to return to its agency, ADOR, as a group one year after announcing the termination of their exclusive contract. Meritz Securities views this as a sign that ADOR’s suspended key intellectual property initiatives are entering a recovery phase, and it has raised HYBE’s target share price from 370,000 won to 380,000 won. On the 12th, ADOR announced that members Hyein and Haerin had decided to return after mutual discussion, and subsequently Minzy, Hanni, and Danielle also expressed their intention to return, with the company currently verifying their sincerity. Kim Min-young, a researcher at Meritz Securities, explained, “While an official statement from the company regarding the schedules and plans of all members is needed, there is now a high likelihood that album releases, content production, and tour activities for at least two members will resume starting in 2026.” NewJeans’ resumption of activities is expected to proceed in stages. Kim stated, “It is presumed that full-scale musical activities will only become possible after at least the second half of next year when NewJeans resumes its activities.” Based on the assumption of one comeback in the second half of 2026, approximately 900,000 album copies sold, and 2 to 3 concerts in South Korea and Japan (with around 150,000 attendees each), his analysis suggests the group could contribute 6 to 7 billion won in operating profits for 2026. More intensive activities are expected starting in 2027. Meritz Securities noted, “It is believed that full-scale activities as a duo or as a complete group will become possible starting in 2027. Considering ADOR’s operating profit of 33.5 billion won in 2023 and its ability to break even just one year later, it is projected that the group could contribute at least 20 to 30 billion won in profits starting from 2027.”