On November 12, ADOR confirmed that Haerin and Hyein would resume activities with the label following a court ruling that upheld their exclusive contracts through 2029. The agency expressed gratitude for the members’ decision and asked fans to avoid speculation while the group prepares for its next chapter.
Shortly after, the remaining three members, Minji, Hanni, and Danielle, issued their own statement confirming their intention to rejoin ADOR. They explained that communication delays, partly due to one member being abroad, led them to release a separate message. “After careful discussion, we have decided to return to ADOR,” their statement read. “We will continue greeting you with sincere music and performances.”
ADOR responded by saying it was verifying the authenticity of the trio’s statement, though insiders suggest both sides are moving toward reconciliation. The announcement arrives just two weeks after the Seoul Central District Court ruled that NewJeans’ contracts with ADOR remain valid, rejecting the group’s claim of mistreatment and contract breaches.
The legal dispute began in late 2024 following the dismissal of former ADOR CEO and producer Min Hee-jin, who had been instrumental in shaping NewJeans’ identity and sound. The members publicly demanded her reinstatement and announced their intent to leave ADOR, triggering a year-long conflict that sidelined the group from the stage.
Despite the turbulence, NewJeans’ influence in Kpop never waned. Fans continued to show unwavering support, while industry watchers called their case a defining moment for discussions on artist management and contractual fairness in the idol system.
With all five members now poised to return under ADOR, anticipation is high for what comes next. Whether the group can rebuild trust with their label and reclaim their place at the top of the charts remains to be seen, but their reunion offers a rare sense of closure in a saga that has gripped fans worldwide.
