On November 28, NewJeans held a press conference, where they unilaterally announced their contract termination with ADOR and stated that they won’t be paying the contract penalty.
At the same event, Hanni shared, “The lives of the five of us are under threat. We’ve had many discussions, and we all agreed that this is the best course of action.”
According to the female idol, the parents of NewJeans are all very supportive of their decision.
“Even though I find it absurd that we have to face such situations, we won’t hide or avoid them. There’s no need for that. We intend to terminate our contract with the hope of working freely, comfortably, and happily in the future”, she added.
Additionally, Minji spoke about the courage that inspired their decision, stating, “Mindset is crucial. Courageous individuals can change the world and live their lives on their terms. Not everyone has the bravery to act on their convictions without calculating their limits. For me, this was possible because of the support from our fans, Bunnies, and my fellow members. I also drew great courage from watching Min Hee-jin.”
She continued, “During my time working with her, I saw how dedicated she was, always surrounded by talented individuals. She once said, ‘I want to set a precedent,’ and that statement resonated deeply with me. It gave me strength. It’s not easy for someone to uphold their principles while risking so much in life. If you don’t take responsibility for your matters, no one else will. This is why the five of us decided to create this moment today.”
Minji concluded, “We know challenges lie ahead, and we can’t predict what obstacles will come our way. But the five of us are determined to unite, embrace the journey, and take on new adventures. We hope for your support and understanding in our path forward. Whether at school or work, everyone deserves an environment free of harassment where mutual respect prevails.”
Responding to NewJeans’ one-sided departure, ADOR has since responded that the company has not breached any clause of their contracts, and so the girl group’s departure is invalid. They also express hope to continue working with NewJeans.
On the other hand, NewJeans had previously sent a notice to ADOR on November 13, outlining potential contract termination and listing demands.
ADOR, upon receiving the notice on November 14, responded that it would work to “resolve the matter wisely.”
Source: Daum