SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – MARCH 7: NewJeans attends the first court hearing for ADOR lawsuit at Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu on March 7, 2025 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images)
ImaZins via Getty Images
In a dramatic turn of events, all five members of K-pop sensation NewJeans have confirmed their return to ADOR, effectively ending a year-long legal battle that captivated the global music industry. The announcement came on November 12, 2025, just two weeks after a Seoul court definitively ruled in favor of the HYBE subsidiary.
NewJeans’ Reunification
ADOR first announced that members Haerin and Hyein had decided to resume activities with the label following “thoughtful consideration with their respective families and thorough discussions” about their future.
“The two members have decided to respect the court’s latest ruling and adhere to their exclusive contract with the label,” the company stated, adding that ADOR is “committed to providing its full support to ensure the seamless continuation of their artistic endeavors.”
Hours later, the remaining three members — Minji, Hanni, and Danielle — issued their own statement confirming their return. “After careful discussions, we have decided to return to ADOR,” they stated. “One member is currently in Antarctica, which delayed the delivery of our stance, but since ADOR has not stated anything, we have been forced to share our position separately. We will continue to show you our sincere music and performances.”
Netizens have hazarded Danielle is in Antarctica on the Antarctic Ice Marathon.
The Court Battle
The reunion follows an October 30 ruling by the Seoul Central District Court that upheld the validity of NewJeans’ exclusive contracts with ADOR through 2029. The court found that ADOR’s removal of former CEO Min Hee-jin did not constitute a breach of contract, rejecting the group’s central argument for termination.
“It is difficult to conclude that ADOR breached the exclusive contract solely on the grounds of Min Hee-jin’s dismissal,” the court stated. “The fact that Min was removed from her position as CEO does not in itself mean that a managerial vacuum was created or that ADOR became incapable of fulfilling its contractual obligations.”
The ruling also approved stringent enforcement measures, requiring each member to pay 1 billion won (approximately $700,000) to ADOR per violation if they engaged in entertainment activities without company approval.
Fans have expressed confusion and support, with some theorizing that the members had no choice but to return to the label following their loss in court.
The Origins of the Dispute
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – NOVEMBER 28: (L-R) Haerin, Danielle, Minji, Hanni and Hyein of girl group NewJeans attend the press conference on November 28, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. K-pop girl group NewJeans hold a press conference an announcement on the termination of their contract with their agency Ador. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The conflict began in November 2024 when NewJeans held an emergency press conference announcing the termination of their exclusive contracts with ADOR. The group’s grievance centered on the August 2024 dismissal of Min Hee-jin, who had been instrumental in shaping NewJeans’ creative direction since their formation in 2022.
Min’s removal came amid a broader management conflict between her and parent company HYBE Labels, which accused her of attempting to make ADOR independent. Min denied the allegations and countered that HYBE had copied NewJeans’ concept for another girl group, ILLIT, under a different HYBE subsidiary.
When ADOR refused to reinstate Min and she subsequently resigned from her role as internal director in November 2024, NewJeans declared their contracts void, citing “unfair treatment” and claiming the relationship of trust had been “completely destroyed.”
NewJeans, now NJZ?
Following their contract termination announcement, the members attempted to continue their careers independently under the name “NJZ” in February 2025.
However, ADOR swiftly responded by filing a lawsuit seeking confirmation of contract validity and obtaining a preliminary injunction preventing independent activities.
The court sided with ADOR, blocking the rebranded group’s activities. In June 2025, each member was fined $734,000 for “unauthorized activities.” All subsequent appeals and objections filed by the members were dismissed.
A Risky Move
Leaving a major label in K-pop is notoriously difficult, especially considering how entrenched the machinery built around idols, agencies and contracts is.
Consider the landmark case of second gen group TVXQ, three members of which filed a lawsuit in 2009 to void their long contracts with SM Entertainment, citing excessively long “slave” agreements and unfair profit splits. Despite years of litigation, the group’s activities in Korea suffered major disruption, and the group remains active with only two members.
SAITAMA, JAPAN – MAY 26: TVXQ pose with the award at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2007 at the Saitama Super Arena on May 26, 2007 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOONA saw multiple members sue to leave their agency, block their contracts and nonetheless ended up re-debuting with a different name and status, as did JYP Entertainment group VCHA.
In that context, the fact that NewJeans (who at the time were one of the hottest acts in the world) publicly attempted to terminate their exclusive contracts with ADOR (a subsidiary of the K-pop giant HYBE Corporation) puts them in an extremely risky, and some might say bold, position, even more so considering oldest member Minji is merely 21 now.
What’s Next
ADOR has stated that preparations for NewJeans’ comeback are already complete, including a full-length album. “We have completed preparations for the artist’s activities, including the release of a studio album, and are waiting,” the company said following the court victory. “We will do our utmost to return to the fans through discussions with the artist.”
Since their debut in 2022, NewJeans has achieved remarkable success, with their second EP ‘Get Up’ debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and five songs charting on the Billboard Hot 100. The group quickly became one of the most influential acts in K-pop’s fourth generation, known for their distinctive Y2K-inspired aesthetic and viral hits.
With the legal battle now behind them and all five members reunited under ADOR, fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating NewJeans’ return to music. The question remains whether the group and label can rebuild the trust necessary for a successful creative partnership, or whether this reunion marks simply the end of a legal chapter rather than the beginning of a harmonious new era.
ADOR has yet to announce specific dates for the group’s return to promotional activities, stating only that they are “checking on the truth” of the NewJeans members’ intentions and working toward a seamless continuation of their artistic endeavors.