With all members of the group NewJeans saying they will return to their agency ADOR, they looked back on a difficult past year.
Their conflict began on April 22, 2024, when HYBE detected signs that former CEO Min Hee-jin and other then-ADOR executives were seeking independence and attempting to seize management rights, and launched an internal audit. Min Hee-jin's side held a press conference asserting her innocence, but on Aug. 27 of the same year HYBE removed Min Hee-jin from her position as CEO.
NewJeans members protested and demanded that Min Hee-jin be returned to her original position, and when the agency did not comply they announced contract termination at a Nov. 28 press conference. NewJeans declared an independent course without filing a provisional injunction to suspend their exclusive contracts after a simple notice, and ADOR ultimately responded by filing a suit at the court to confirm the validity of the exclusive contracts.
On March 21, 2025, the court partially granted an injunction banning independent activities by the members ahead of the Hong Kong performance NewJeans had arranged, and also ordered an indirect enforcement decision that if violated would require payment to ADOR of 1 billion won per member per violation (a total of 5 billion won).
In the end, the members carried out the Hong Kong performance independently on the 24th and then announced a temporary suspension of activities, and the court twice urged the parties to mediate before the first-instance verdict, but the sides failed to narrow their positions.
On Oct. 30, the court sided with ADOR in the suit ADOR filed against NewJeans members to confirm the validity of the exclusive contracts, ruling that the contracts between the parties remain valid. The court made clear that NewJeans are ADOR's contracted artists.
NewJeans members immediately announced they would appeal, but it was puzzling that no appeal brief had been filed even as the filing deadline on the 13th approached. However, since they had announced an appeal, an appeal brief was expected to be filed soon.
On the afternoon of Nov. 12, 2025, ADOR said in an official statement, "NewJeans members Haerin and Hye-in have expressed their intention to continue activities with ADOR. After careful consideration with their families and sufficient discussion with ADOR, the two members decided to respect the court's ruling and comply with their exclusive contracts."
ADOR, as the agency, also said it would support the members' entertainment activities in light of their decision. ADOR said, "We will do our best to ensure Haerin and Hye-in can continue their activities smoothly. We kindly ask fans for their warm support and respectfully request that speculation about the members be restrained."
Following the return of the two, NewJeans' Min-ji, Hanni and Danielle said, "After careful consultation, we have decided to return to ADOR. One member is currently in Antarctica, so communication was delayed, and because ADOR had not yet responded we were forced to announce our position separately."
However, the process did not proceed smoothly. Surprised by the sudden comeback decision, ADOR cautiously said, "We are confirming the sincerity of the three members' intention to return." Full-scale activities are expected to proceed naturally after the two sides hold talks and the situation is resolved.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]