ADOR Talks With NewJeans Trio for Five-Member Comeback
Agency discusses return with Minji, Hanni, Danielle after unilateral notices, aiming to reunite K-pop group
[OSEN=Jang Woo-young Reporter] The official return of Haerin and Hyein to ADOR has been announced, while the unilateral return notifications from Minji, Hanni, and Danielle are expected to be decided through discussions. Fans hope to see NewJeans as a complete five-member group on stage after their return to ADOR. The timing of their resumed activities remains a focus of attention.
“NewJeans members Haerin and Hyein have expressed their intention to continue activities with ADOR. After careful consideration with their families and thorough discussions with ADOR, the two members have decided to respect the court’s ruling and comply with their exclusive contracts. ADOR will do its best to ensure Haerin and Hyein can continue their entertainment activities smoothly. We kindly request fans to refrain from speculation about the members and ask for your warm support. Thank you.”
At 5:06 p.m. on the 12th, ADOR announced that Haerin and Hyein would return to the agency and resume activities. This came approximately one year after they ‘declared’ the termination of their exclusive contracts and about 10 days after the court ruled in favor of ADOR.
“Hello, this is Minji, Hanni, and Danielle. After careful deliberation, we have decided to return to ADOR. Due to one member currently being in Antarctica, our message was delayed. As ADOR has not responded, we regrettably had to share our stance separately. We will continue to greet you with sincere music and performances. Thank you.”
Approximately two hours later, Minji, Hanni, and Danielle released their statement. However, their return announcement was a one-sided ‘notification.’ It was reported that Haerin and Hyein had informed ADOR of their intention to return about a week before the official announcement on the 12th. The reason for the official announcement on the 12th was that the 13th was the deadline for appealing the exclusive contract validity lawsuit.
Unlike Haerin and Hyein, who made an official announcement after communication and coordination, Minji, Hanni, and Danielle unilaterally notified their return. ADOR refrained from commenting, stating, “We are verifying their sincerity.” Notably, the trio’s statement made no mention of Haerin and Hyein and did not reference discussions or coordination with ADOR. This has drawn criticism, with many questioning the legitimacy of their ‘declaration’ or ‘notification’ of return.
ADOR, which had been cautious about the trio’s return, decided to hold individual meetings. On the 13th, an ADOR representative said, “We are coordinating individual meeting schedules with the members and will do our best to ensure smooth discussions.”
As ADOR, which had been hesitant, agreed to hold meetings, a platform for dialogue regarding Minji, Hanni, and Danielle’s ‘notification’-style return has been created. While Haerin and Hyein have decided to return and the trio appears to be hastily announcing their return, the possibility of seeing NewJeans as a unified group rather than divided has grown, raising fan expectations.
If NewJeans, which has had a one-year hiatus, fully returns to ADOR, what process will they follow to resume activities? Public opinion emphasizes the need for an apology. During the year-long dispute, NewJeans caused significant harm to the company and its members, shocking K-pop fans. Without an apology, their return and sincerity will likely face skepticism.
ADOR plans to fully support NewJeans. The agency previously stated during the trial that it had prepared for a regular album release, submitting a tracklist to expedite NewJeans’ comeback. Since this tracklist was used as evidence of ADOR fulfilling its production obligations as NewJeans’ producers, their activities are expected to resume quickly after their return.
Meanwhile, former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin commented on the members’ return: “Yesterday’s decision for the members to return together must have been made after deep consideration and dialogue. I respect and support this choice. Although there were difficulties, I value the members’ courage in joining hands again to protect each other. I can start anew anywhere, but I believe NewJeans must be preserved as a complete five-member group under any circumstances. I hope the members grow stronger, become a better NewJeans, and above all, find happiness.”
Source:
https://www.chosun.com/english/kpop-culture-en/2025/11/13/OKTN6QCOQREPTLPDBIPTSUWQYI/