In a significant development for the global K-pop scene, all five members of the hit girl group NewJeans are set to return to their management label, Ador, concluding a year-long and highly publicised legal dispute. The resolution comes after a Seoul court ruled in late October that the group's exclusive contract with the agency remained legally binding.
The Court Ruling and Initial Fallout
On 30 October, a court in Seoul delivered a decisive verdict, rejecting the group's claims that alleged misconduct by the label and the dismissal of their former creative director, Min Hee Jin, were valid grounds for terminating their contract. The court affirmed that the agreement with Ador, a sublabel of the entertainment giant Hybe, was still in effect and must be honoured until 2029 unless successfully appealed.
The conflict ignited last year following the ousting of Min Hee Jin by Ador's parent company, Hybe. In April 2024, Hybe accused Min of attempting to make Ador independent, which led to an internal audit and her eventual dismissal. In a dramatic press conference in November 2024, the members of NewJeans unilaterally declared their contract invalid, expressing a lack of faith in the agency's ability to protect them.
A Staggered Return to the Fold
The path to reconciliation began with a statement from Ador on Wednesday, confirming that two members, Haerin, 19, and Hyein, 17, had decided to resume their activities with the label. The agency stated they had reached this decision after thoughtful discussions with their families and Ador, choosing to respect the court's ruling.
Hours later, the remaining three members—Minji, 21, Hanni, 21, and Danielle, 20—issued their own statement announcing their return. They explained that a delay in communication, due to one member being in Antarctica, had forced them to share their position separately after Ador had not yet responded to their decision.
When questioned about the status of Minji, Hanni, and Danielle, Ador provided a brief response, saying, "We are checking whether the three members intend to return." This confirmed that the process of reuniting the entire group was underway.
NJZ, Hiatus, and the Aftermath
During the legal battle, NewJeans sought to continue their musical career independently under the name NJZ, even debuting a new song at ComplexCon Hong Kong. The group also announced an indefinite hiatus, describing it as a necessary step. Ador and Hybe countered with legal action, arguing that performances under a different name violated the exclusivity clauses in their contract. The court sided with the label, granting an injunction to prevent the group from promoting as NJZ.
Following the news of the full group's return, former CEO Min Hee Jin released a supportive statement. She expressed her respect for the members' difficult decision and her commitment to "watch over NewJeans' music and growth and support them to the very end." She emphasised her belief that the group must be kept intact as five members, wishing for their happiness and continued success.
It remains unclear whether NewJeans will proceed with an appeal against the October court ruling, as their legal representatives had initially indicated they would.
