All five members of NewJeans are set to return to their record label ADOR, according to a statement released by members Hanni, Danielle and Minji.
Their announcement followed an earlier statement from ADOR, which had initially said that only Hyein and Haerin would be returning to the agency — sparking confusion and fears among fans that the K-pop group might be splitting up.
The news marks the latest twist in a months-long legal battle between NewJeans and ADOR. The five-member group announced last year that they were leaving the label, citing “mistreatment” and “manipulation” — claims that ADOR has firmly denied.
Last month, a South Korean court ruled that NewJeans’ contract with ADOR, which runs until 2029, remains valid. The group has since said it will appeal the decision.
The dispute has sent shockwaves through the K-pop industry, where agencies are known for their tight control over artists’ careers.
ADOR, a subsidiary of entertainment giant Hybe — home to global acts like BTS — said on X that members Hyein and Haerin had decided to “respect the court’s latest ruling” after “thoughtful consideration with their respective families and thorough discussions with ADOR.”
[NOTICE] 어도어에서 알려드립니다.
뉴진스 멤버 해린과 혜인이 어도어와 함께 활동을 이어가겠다는 의사를 밝혀왔습니다.
두 멤버는 가족들과 함께 심사숙고하고 어도어와 충분한 논의를 거친 끝에,
법원의 판결을 존중하고 전속계약을 준수하겠다는 결정을 내렸습니다.
어도어는 해린과 혜인이…— ADOR (@alldoorsoneroom) November 12, 2025
“We request the warm support from the fans and respectfully urge you to avoid engaging in unfounded speculation regarding the members,” the statement added.
Hours later, Hanni, Danielle and Minji announced they too would return to ADOR “after careful discussion.”
News of their return “was relayed late as one member is currently in Antarctica, but as ADOR is not responding at the moment, we are inevitably announcing this through a separate statement,” the trio said.
“We will continue greeting you with sincere music and performances,” their statement continued.
Formed in July 2022, NewJeans — whose members range from 17 to 21 years old — became one of K-pop’s most talked-about groups for their distinctive sound and Y2K-inspired aesthetic.
But the relationship between the group and their agency began to fracture in 2024 following the controversial dismissal of ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, who had served as the group’s creative mentor.
Read more: NewJeans in Hiatus: K-Pop Legal Battle Forces Group to Pause Activities
In the aftermath, NewJeans accused ADOR of “mistreatment” and “deliberate miscommunications and manipulation,” demanding Min’s reinstatement. When those demands weren’t met, the group declared their intent to leave — prompting ADOR to launch a lawsuit to stop their departure.
