All NewJeans members who had effectively “left home” during their legal standoff are now back under ADOR.
The group halted activities on March 21 after the court approved ADOR’s request for an injunction that prevented the members from pursuing independent schedules. Even then, NewJeans announced they would continue the legal battle, claiming their trust in ADOR had been “irreparably broken.”
But the situation shifted dramatically on October 30, when the court ruled in the first trial that ADOR had fulfilled its major contractual obligations, rejecting the members’ claims.
On November 12, the first signs of reconciliation appeared when Min Hee Jin’s protégés Hyein and Haerin announced their return. Soon after, Minji, Hanni, and Danielle followed suit—marking NewJeans’ complete comeback to ADOR.
The biggest factor behind this collective return appears to be legal pressure. Remaining outside ADOR would have prevented NewJeans from promoting independently until their exclusive contract ends on July 1, 2029—effectively sidelining them for almost four years. On top of that, they faced the possibility of paying massive penalty fees, estimated to be worth nearly 600 billion KRW.
Initially, the members believed siding with former ADOR CEO and producer Min Hee Jin whom they considered a mother figure would help them win their fight against HYBE, the company holding 80% of ADOR’s shares. They notified ADOR that their contract would automatically terminate on November 29, 2024.
But corporate law painted a different picture. ADOR is a stock corporation, and voting power is tied directly to share ownership. With Min Hee Jin holding only 18% and the rest of management only 2%, she remained an employee not the controlling power she appeared to be. Her demands to maintain her CEO position and appoint preferred board members were legally unrealistic for a minority shareholder.
In the first trial, the court rejected all 11 reasons NewJeans listed for contract termination. With the appeal deadline approaching, the members likely realized pursuing second and third trials could drag on for two to three more years with slim chances of success.
For a girl group, time is everything. NewJeans may be a leading force of the fourth generation, but no girl group can outrun the passage of time. Newer, younger teams are constantly emerging, and image is a critical factor. Continued court appearances would only damage their public perception.
Their meteoric rise from their 2022 debut to topping the Billboard 200 with Get Up and placing five tracks on the Hot 100 shows just how vital these years are for their career. Yet the legal dispute has already dulled some of their momentum. Minji’s emotional statement outside the courthouse “We cannot accept staying under ADOR when the trust has collapsed” became an unfortunate symbol of the turmoil.
With both fans and the general public growing weary of courtroom headlines, NewJeans’ return is a necessary step to stabilize their image. Fans may welcome the group’s decision to resume activities, but continued support cannot be taken for granted. The group must rebuild trust and regain focus.
Although NewJeans and ADOR have reached a surface-level reconciliation, true internal harmony has yet to be restored. Their brand image has been shaken, and the next phase will demand careful rebuilding.
NewJeans must now negotiate, compromise, and reconstruct their working relationship with ADOR and HYBE based on realistic expectations. If they can rebuild trust, strengthen their system, and refocus on music, they may emerge even stronger.
Their sound and style may evolve without Min Hee Jin’s influence, but NewJeans’ future depends on their authenticity, work ethic, and the quality of the music they deliver moving forward.
Even though ADOR legally prevailed, the entertainment industry thrives on collaboration not hierarchy. For NewJeans and ADOR to succeed, both sides must engage in honest communication and aim for mutual growth. The possibility of success is still fully within reach.
And with the group finally unified again, fans are hopeful that NewJeans will soon return to the global stage stronger and more dazzling than before.
Sources: Daum