All five members of NewJeans are set to continue under ADOR, the music label managed by HYBE, following a turbulent year marked by legal disputes and contract uncertainties.
On November 11, HYBE announced that two members — Haerin and Hyein — had decided to return to ADOR. The announcement came just hours before the remaining three members reportedly made the same decision.
In a post shared on ADOR’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, the label stated:
“NewJeans members Haerin and Hyein have expressed their intention to continue their activities with ADOR. After careful discussions with their families and the company, they have decided to respect the court’s ruling and abide by their exclusive contracts.”
The agency added that it would “do its utmost to ensure that Haerin and Hyein can continue their entertainment activities smoothly”, urging fans to show support and avoid “unfounded speculation” regarding the members.
Shortly after ADOR’s announcement, South Korean media outlets including Yonhap News and Maeil Business Newspaper reported that the remaining members — Minji, Hanni, and Danielle — had also decided to continue with the label.
According to their joint statement, the trio said they made the decision “after careful deliberation”, adding:
“One member is currently in Antarctica, which delayed our communication, and since ADOR has not responded yet, we felt it necessary to announce our position separately.”
Maeil further reported that ADOR issued a follow-up statement confirming it was “verifying the sincerity behind the three members’ intention to return”.
The five-member group had been entangled in a legal dispute since November 2024, when all members unexpectedly held a press conference announcing the termination of their exclusive contracts with ADOR. The controversy sparked widespread concern among fans and prompted legal proceedings over the validity of the members’ contracts and the group’s management rights.
With all five members now reportedly choosing to remain under ADOR, the announcement marks a significant step towards resolving one of K-pop’s most closely watched industry disputes.
