On November 12, Minji, Hanni, and Danielle announced that they had “carefully decided to return to ADOR,” adding that one member was currently in Antarctica, which caused delays in communication. “Since ADOR has not responded, we were forced to release our position separately,” they said.
However, ADOR has yet to confirm a finalized agreement. Speaking to Dispatch, the agency stated it was still “verifying the sincerity” behind the three members’ intentions. This implies that while the public declarations are positive, the legal and contractual details have yet to be settled.
Earlier that day, Haerin and Hyein had officially confirmed their return to ADOR. They chose to honor their exclusive contracts following a court ruling that dismissed NewJeans’ claims to void their agreements.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled that the exclusive contracts remain valid, stating: “ADOR retains its managerial status over NewJeans based on the existing contract.” Although the group had expressed intentions to appeal, it was revealed they have yet to file an official appeal.
A source from the agency further requested restraint from public speculation, stating, “Haerin and Hyein chose to respect the court’s ruling. Please refrain from further conjecture regarding the members.” Adding another layer to the narrative, NewDaily reports that Hyein’s father —the only parent who originally opposed the contract termination—played a key role in convincing both his daughter and Haerin to return to ADOR. It was revealed he even pursued a civil lawsuit for legal guardianship to protect his daughter’s association with the agency.
Meanwhile, Team Bunnies, an independent fan collective known for supporting NewJeans’ digital releases, also announced they would resume their promotional role. They affirmed, “We respect the members’ decisions regardless of the situation and will continue our support.”
With the group now inching toward a full reunion under ADOR, fans are hopeful—but wary. The comeback is symbolically significant, but until all legal matters are formally concluded, uncertainty lingers.
As the year-end award season approaches, the spotlight will remain on NewJeans—not just for their music, but for how they navigate this high-stakes reconciliation.
Sources: Dispatch,Daum,NewDaily,Nate,EDaily