K-pop group NewJeans is set to return to their label ADOR after months of legal turmoil that gripped South Korea's music industry, according to a report by Yonhap News. The five-member act-Hanni, Minji, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein-has been on hiatus amid a high-profile court battle with their agency over alleged mistreatment and contract control.
ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE Corporation, confirmed earlier Wednesday that two members, Haerin and Hyein, had agreed to resume work with the label. The company said they made the decision "after thoughtful consideration with their respective families and thorough discussions with ADOR." Hours later, Yonhap cited additional confirmation from members Hanni, Minji, and Danielle, indicating that all five artists plan to return.
"We request the warm support from the fans and respectfully urge you to avoid engaging in unfounded speculation regarding the members," ADOR stated on its official X account.
The reconciliation follows a year-long legal standoff that began when NewJeans publicly accused ADOR of "mistreatment" and "deliberate miscommunication." The dispute escalated after the controversial dismissal of ADOR's former CEO, Min Hee-jin, who had been instrumental in NewJeans' debut and early success. The group demanded her reinstatement and announced their intention to terminate their contracts with ADOR, prompting the company to seek legal action to block their departure.
In March, a South Korean court sided with ADOR, upholding the validity of the group's contracts through 2029 and issuing an injunction preventing the members from pursuing independent projects. The ruling stated that ADOR retained exclusive management rights over NewJeans' commercial activities. Following the decision, the group's legal representative said trust between the artists and their management had been "completely ruined," but pledged to appeal.
The deadline to file an appeal expired Wednesday, though it remains unclear whether NewJeans submitted additional legal motions. Fans online reacted to the reports with both relief and apprehension. "If only two out of five members continue their contracts and the rest end things like this, that's basically a disbandment," one user wrote on X earlier in the week. "But if all five are coming back, maybe this means they've reached some kind of understanding."
NewJeans, whose members are aged 17 to 21, debuted in July 2022 and quickly rose to prominence with their fresh image and nostalgic sound. Their debut single "Attention" topped Korean charts, while "SuperShy" and "ETA" earned spots on multiple year-end best-song lists from Billboard, Rolling Stone, and NME.
The group's rapid rise came to an abrupt halt in late 2024 when their rebranded project under the name NJZ was blocked by an injunction initiated by ADOR, freezing all promotional activities. Industry analysts said the conflict underscored the entrenched power imbalance between idols and their agencies in South Korea's entertainment system, where management contracts often extend for years with limited artist autonomy.
HYBE, ADOR's parent company and home to global acts such as BTS, has not publicly commented on the latest developments. But industry insiders said the company is likely eager to stabilize the situation, given NewJeans' commercial value and strong international following.
