▲ Members of K-pop girl group NewJeans appear on CBS Radio’s ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show” on Dec. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
SEOUL,
Dec. 26 (Yonhap) — K-pop girl group NewJeans expressed their hopes for a major performance in South Korea during their appearance on CBS Radio’s
‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show” on Christmas.
The members—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—shared reflections on the past year and aspirations for 2025.
Hanni stated, “I hope we can have our own big stage in Korea next year. When I say ‘big stage,’ I think of a performance where I can give everything I have, rather than just drawing a large crowd.” She added, “Like what we did at the Tokyo Dome this year, I really want to perform something spectacular in Korea. There’s no set plan yet, but imagining being together with ‘Bunnies’ (our fandom) makes me excited.”
NewJeans has been navigating challenges following the termination of their exclusive contract with ADOR last month. While the group maintains they are moving forward independently, ADOR claims the contract is still valid and has initiated a lawsuit to confirm its legality. ADOR commented that the group’s recent radio appearance was made without consultation, stating, “The artists made this decision independently, and the company was not informed beforehand.”
▲ (From L to R) Haerin, Danielle, Minji, Hanni and Hyein — the five members of K-pop girl group NewJeans, speak during a press conference in Gangnam, southern Seoul, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
Minji caught attention during the broadcast by wearing a T-shirt featuring the name of Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR. The group also delivered a live performance of Silent Night in the Christmas spirit, expressing a desire to comfort listeners through music.
The group recently gained attention for prepaying 560 servings of food at a rally in Yeouido calling for President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment. Danielle explained, “It’s cold outside, and sharing warm food with someone can create a comforting moment.” Haerin added, “Seeing how much ‘Bunnies’ appreciated it and imagining others enjoying it made us so happy.”
Hanni moved listeners by performing her solo song Darling Darling and shedding tears. She revealed, “I wrote this song during a tough time for all of us. The scars haven’t fully healed yet,” she said, her voice quivering with emotion.
Reflecting on 2024, Danielle remarked, “We were already like family, but we’ve grown even closer.” Minji added, “Every moment on stage has been unforgettable.” Without directly addressing their contractual disputes, Haerin noted, “This year was transformative for me. I saw many different sides of the world, and something profound changed within me.”
NewJeans is scheduled to attend the Golden Disc Awards on January 4-5 in Fukuoka, Japan, where they will take part in the first-day festivities. Despite the ongoing challenges, the group emphasized their bond and determination to keep evolving.
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