The group NewJeans expressed gratitude to fans on the occasion of their 1,000th day since debut. However, the ongoing legal battles, including the suspension of activities, have dulled the shine of this milestone.
On the 16th, the members of NewJeans declared their solo activities and posted a message on their newly created social media account saying, "Bunnies~! It has been 1,000 days since we met~! The 1,000 days with Bunnies have been happy," along with photos.
The photos featured sunflowers. Because sunflowers turn their heads toward the sun, they symbolize a person who loves only one person wholeheartedly. The members of NewJeans seem to have celebrated their 1,000th day since debut by expressing their feelings for their fans through sunflowers.
Although NewJeans has reached their 1,000th day since debut, it is not a situation in which they can simply celebrate. This is because all of NewJeans' activities are currently suspended. On the 21st of last month, the 50th Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Chief Judge Kim Sang-hoon) accepted and ruled on an injunction filed by ADOR against the five members of NewJeans regarding the "protection of the agency's status and prohibition of contract execution," leading the members of NewJeans to announce a suspension of activities during a performance in Hong Kong.
At the time, the members of NewJeans said, "We decided to stop all activities out of respect for the court's decision. It's not an easy decision, but we aim to gather our strength and move forward. We hope you understand that this is not the end. We want to meet you with genuine smiles when we return. Thank you so much and we love you."
However, the suspension of activities was a unilateral declaration, not made in consultation with ADOR, and it has been reported that ADOR staff dispatched to facilitate events under the NewJeans name were unable to meet with NewJeans, causing shock. In particular, it is known that the members of NewJeans immediately filed an objection after the injunction was granted, raising doubts about the sincerity of their statement that "we decided to stop all activities out of respect for the court's decision."
Recently, the first hearing date for the exclusive contract lawsuit took place. ADOR maintains that the exclusive contract signed in April 2022 remains valid as the procedural and substantive grounds were insufficient when NewJeans unilaterally notified the contract termination. On the other hand, NewJeans argues that the relationship of trust has been broken due to the ousting of former representative Min Hee-jin, who successfully operated ADOR, thus claiming that the notification of contract termination is valid.
Meanwhile, rumors have circulated that cracks have emerged in the relationships among the parents of NewJeans members. It is speculated that one of the parents of underage members HAEIN and Hae-rin may have disagreed regarding the exercise of parental rights for the exclusive contract termination lawsuit. In response, the parents of NewJeans stated, "The content reported by some media that 'there has been a division among the members' parents' is completely untrue. All five members have a firm stance that they cannot return to HYBE. Despite the current difficult situation, the five of them regularly meet and maintain their unchanging friendship, and we, as parents, are also strengthening our relationship through more frequent communication during this challenging time."
Meanwhile, NewJeans, who have suspended activities, are currently managing their personal schedules. Minji and Hanni recently traveled to Italy, while Danielle, Hae-rin, and HAEIN visited a birthday café to meet with fans.
[OSEN]