NewJeans Ends Contract After Idol-Label Conflict...5-Member Formation Dissolves

The K-POP group NewJeans, once dominant on charts, will now operate as a four-member unit following a year-long dispute with its agency ADOR. ADOR announced on December 30 that it had terminated the contract with member Danielle, effectively eliminating any possibility of the group returning to its full lineup. NewJeans had filed legal action against ADOR in 2024, accusing the company of workplace harassment. Although ADOR denied these claims, the conflict escalated to a court ruling last October. What seemed to settle the matter was a court decision requiring the remaining contract terms to be fulfilled until 2029. Just one month later, on November, all five members expressed their intention to return to ADOR. However, ADOR’s announcement of terminating Danielle’s contract dealt a severe blow to fans. This marked a sudden reversal just weeks after Danielle, along with Hanni and Minzy, issued a statement saying they would return “after careful discussion.” Aside from Minzy, who is still in negotiations with ADOR, Hyein and Hana have already confirmed their return, while Hanni made her decision by “respecting the court’s ruling.” Fan backlash was immediate. Social media saw the slogan “NewJeans isn’t NewJeans without all five members” spread widely. One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Is this even logical? NewJeans without Danielle is not NewJeans. Do you think one member can be removed so easily? Bring Danielle back.” On Instagram, posts appeared saying, “This is completely unfair. Free NewJeans (all five members).” ADOR also stated it would take legal action against former CEO Min Hee-jin and a family member of Danielle, claiming they bear “significant responsibility” for the conflict and the delay in the group’s return. The agency further explained that the NewJeans members were exposed to “continuous distorted and biased information,” which led to “serious misunderstandings about the company.” Music critic Im Hee-yoon told BBC that NewJeans is a “very important group that changed the female K-POP market” and added, “Music listeners and fans hoped all five would return together, but now that’s no longer possible.” The critic specifically noted that if Minzy also leaves, ADOR is likely to face pressure to recruit new members.