All five members of K-pop group NewJeans, including Hanni, Danielle, Minji, Hyein, and Haerin, are expected to return to the record label Ador, following a statement from the first three members. This announcement came after Ador initially indicated that only Hyein and Haerin would return, prompting fan speculation about the group’s potential disbandment. The label has not yet confirmed if all members will indeed return.
NewJeans is currently involved in a legal dispute with Ador stemming from accusations of mistreatment and manipulation leveled against the agency by the group after they announced plans to leave last year. Ador has rejected these claims. A South Korean court recently ruled that NewJeans’ contract with Ador, which extends until 2029, remains valid, a decision the group intends to appeal.
Ador, a subsidiary of South Korea’s largest music label Hybe, stated that the two members, Hyein and Haerin, decided to return in light of the court ruling and urged fans to refrain from engaging in speculation. Hanni, Danielle, and Minji later clarified their choice to stay with Ador, despite their announcement being delayed due to logistics, as one member is currently in Antarctica. They expressed a commitment to continue producing music.
The ongoing legal battle has significantly impacted the K-pop industry, where record labels maintain strict control over artists. NewJeans, which debuted in July 2022, quickly gained acclaim, but their recent issues have put a halt to their activities. After briefly rebranding as NJZ, their attempts to release new music were obstructed by a court injunction initiated by Ador.
The upcoming deadline for NewJeans to file their appeal is uncertain, raising questions about the future of the group and whether they can resolve their differences with the label.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd9k54yejxjo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss