Danielle, who was expelled from the group NewJeans, said, "Min-ji, Hanni, Hye-rin, and Hye-in are my second family," adding, "Our timing to act together was out of sync, but there is nothing that can split us apart."
On the 16th, Danielle posted a letter on her social media (SNS) with the caption "A letter I couldn't send." The letter was written on Nov. 12 last year, the day NewJeans members Haerin and Hye-in, who had been in a dispute over their exclusive contracts with their agency ADOR, expressed their intention to return.
Danielle wrote, "The reason I'm writing this letter is because I want to hold deep in my heart the new chapter and new beginning that we will all face together," adding, "It won't be easy to let go of the time that has passed, but now I want to set the past down for a moment and focus on what truly matters—our hearts, our dreams, and the warm days ahead."
She then addressed NewJeans' fandom, Bunnies, adding, "Your love kept me going through so many hardships. When I lost courage, it gave me the strength to stand up again and made me realize what really matters. Having fans this warm and dependable by my side is truly a great blessing."
She continued, "I know it's never a given to be with me, to believe in me, and to wait for me even during hard times. That's why I'm all the more grateful, and at times I felt sorry that I couldn't return all that love."
Danielle said, "Min-ji, Hanni, Hye-rin, and Hye-in are my second family. Our timing to act together was out of sync, but there is nothing that can split us apart," adding, "That precious bond is something we can never take for granted—an irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind connection in this world."
She added, "There will be difficulties ahead too, but we will move forward while protecting one another. That is what matters most to me."
Danielle said, "I will continue to move toward my dream and keep doing things that let me genuinely feel happiness," adding, "I opened a new Instagram account. I plan to share bit by bit what I saw, felt, and learned over the past year, so please come by anytime if you're curious."
Previously, after HYBE dismissed ADOR head Min Hee-jin last year, NewJeans members sought to terminate their exclusive contracts. In the first trial of the "lawsuit to confirm the validity of the exclusive contracts" that ADOR filed against NewJeans in Oct. last year, the court ruled that "the exclusive contracts must be maintained."
After that, on Nov. 12 last year, members Haerin and Hye-in announced news of their return to ADOR. Hanni, Min-ji, and Danielle also conveyed their intention to return to ADOR, but because their return had not been discussed in advance, talks with ADOR continued.
On Dec. 29 last year, ADOR said it had finalized Hanni's return to ADOR and that it was in talks with Min-ji about her return. However, it said it had notified Danielle of the termination of her exclusive contract.
ADOR said, "Regarding one member of Danielle's family and former head Min Hee-jin, who bear significant responsibility for causing this (exclusive contract) dispute and for NewJeans' departure and delayed return, we plan to pursue legal liability." It later filed a lawsuit seeking liquidated damages and compensation totaling about 43.1 billion won against three people including Danielle.