The K-pop group NewJeans has announced its return to ADOR following a court ruling upholding their contract through 2029. After a year-long legal battle stemming from internal conflicts at HYBE, the five members expressed intentions to resume activities with the label. The resolution comes after public support for former CEO Min Hee-jin and criticisms of the parent company.
In March 2024, NewJeans received the group of the year award at Billboard's Women in Music event, presented by country star Lainey Wilson, who said, "It's a place where a gal who grew up in a small farming community in Louisiana gets to shine a light on an incredible group of K-pop performers from halfway across the globe." The group's 2023 EP Get Up topped the Billboard 200, marking them as the second K-pop girl group to achieve this after Blackpink.
Tensions arose in April 2024 when NewJeans became embroiled in a dispute between HYBE, the largest K-pop agency since going public in 2020, and Min Hee-jin, founder and CEO of HYBE sub-label ADOR, which launched NewJeans in 2022. HYBE alleged an internal audit showed Min attempting to seize control of ADOR, leading to steps to remove her. Min denied this, claiming HYBE sidelined NewJeans to promote other girl groups. In August 2024, ADOR announced Min's resignation as CEO, which she described as forced.
The members—Minji (21), Hanni (21), Danielle (20), Haerin (19), and Hyein (17)—supported Min publicly, stating they would not continue without her. HYBE proposed Min remain as a music producer, but she rejected it, saying in an interview with Japan's TV Asahi/ANN News, "It is contradictory to accuse me of breach of trust while offering me a producer role. I chose to join because HYBE claimed they wanted to create a new wave and flow in K-pop."
In September 2024, the members criticized HYBE as inhumane in a YouTube livestream, detailing mistreatment. Hanni testified before South Korea's National Assembly in October 2024 about discrimination, but the case was dismissed, ruling K-pop members are not entitled to labor protections.
On November 28, 2024, NewJeans announced termination of their ADOR contract at a press conference, seeking independence. Industry groups sided with ADOR, calling the move childish, and attempts to perform as NJZ were blocked. Their last performance was in February 2025 at ComplexCon Hong Kong.
After a year of inactivity, the Seoul Central District Court ruled on October 30, 2025, in favor of ADOR, requiring NewJeans to honor the contract until 2029. The members initially stated, "It is impossible to return to ADOR and continue normal entertainment activities under the current situation where the trust relationship with ADOR has completely broken down," and planned an appeal.
On November 12, 2025, ADOR announced Hyein and Haerin's return. Hours later, Minji, Danielle, and Hanni expressed intentions to return, with ADOR responding, "We are confirming the authenticity of their intentions." Min Hee-jin, who launched her own indie agency, issued a statement: "I can begin anew anywhere. But I believe that NewJeans must remain whole as five. I hope the members grow stronger and become an even better NewJeans, and above all, I wish happiness for all five members."
Min, a former creative director at SM Entertainment, had aimed to reform K-pop dynamics, telling Korea JoongAng Daily, “I felt it was crucial to change the rigid dynamic between producers and artists.” The dispute highlighted ongoing industry issues, including past controversies like TVXQ's "slave contract" and Sulli's suicide amid harassment.
