Despite announcing their return to ADOR following a year-long legal dispute, three members of NewJeans — Minji, Hanni, and Danielle — remain at odds with the label over key issues, most notably concerning their stance on Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR.
While Haerin and Hyein officially announced their return via ADOR on November 12, the other trio issued their statement separately, via legal representatives, signaling a divergence in tone and coordination. The three stated they had no choice but to announce their return independently due to the agency’s lack of response at the time. According to reports, they contacted ADOR about an hour after the official announcement of the first two members’ return.
Though all five members now claim they are returning to the label, only two appear to have fully reconciled with ADOR. The agency confirmed it is still “assessing the intent” behind the trio’s statement, underlining that mutual agreements have yet to be established. This difference raises concerns about internal alignment and the sustainability of group activities moving forward.
Industry insiders suggest the return is not a straightforward resolution. One noted, “Returning alone won’t fix everything. If the members later object to ADOR’s production direction or refuse to cooperate, it will spark further issues. ADOR is cautious about formally welcoming them back without first aligning positions.”
Amidst these tensions, rumors have emerged that the three members are pushing for Min Hee-jin to return to a production role. When questioned, ADOR declined to confirm, saying, “We cannot verify any details regarding conditions for return or meeting contents.”
Such a scenario would be highly unlikely under current circumstances. Though ADOR previously expressed intent to retain Min Hee-jin’s production role through NewJeans’ contract period (until 2029), she rejected that offer after being stripped of her CEO position. The court ultimately sided with ADOR in the legal dispute, and efforts at court-led reconciliation failed.
If the trio is indeed requesting Min Hee-jin’s return, many argue it contradicts the legal outcome and practical direction of the company. Some speculate their return was less about reconciliation and more a reluctant step after exhausting legal alternatives.
Furthermore, there are concerns that reinstating Min Hee-jin in any role could undermine the position of the two members — Haerin and Hyein — who have already agreed to proceed with group activities in her absence. Reports suggest that both, along with their families, explicitly committed to working with ADOR without Min Hee-jin’s involvement.
A shift back to Min Hee-jin’s production leadership could place pressure on these two members and create internal division within NewJeans.
A K-pop insider commented: “The news of NewJeans returning is good for the industry. But without due process and clarity, it could lead to more complications. The longer negotiations with the three remain unresolved, the more negative public perception may grow — not just toward the trio, but the group as a whole.”
As the future of NewJeans’ group activities hangs in the balance, fans and industry stakeholders await clearer resolutions between the trio and ADOR, and whether or not Min Hee-jin will remain part of the group’s creative trajectory.
Sources: Daum