After NewJeans changed their name to NJZ, rumors about the quintet’s possible label switch to Beasts And Natives Alike (BANA) are starting to move across social media. After all, BANA helped the girl group make hits like “Attention,” “Hype Boy,” and “Cookie,” sparking rumors that they are leaving HYBE’s ADOR once and for all. On February 11, Korean Herald asked BANA about this juicy possibility, but they gave a cryptic response that left fans thirsting for more.
Kim Donghyeon from BANA. He is FRNK (NEWJEANS PRODUCER)’s duo partner in XXX. He contributed in NewJeans songs like Super Shy and Cool With You.
Kim Donghyeon: I heard that BANA is debuting a new girl group. Do you know anything about it? You do know something, right? pic.twitter.com/pUYYJ01UNo
— ✿ (@haerin1st) February 7, 2025
Fans got another clue on February 7, when member Hyein teased a new agency announcement during an Instagram Live. Then, on February 10, member Hanni sparked intrigue with a mysterious comment—“Uh… It might take a while to get used to going live here,” hinting at the possibility of NJZ working in a new place. Coincidence?
Kim Donghyeon from BANA. He is FRNK (NEWJEANS PRODUCER)’s duo partner in XXX. He contributed in NewJeans songs like Super Shy and Cool With You.
Kim Donghyeon: I heard that BANA is debuting a new girl group. Do you know anything about it? You do know something, right? pic.twitter.com/pUYYJ01UNo
— ✿ (@haerin1st) February 7, 2025
Behind the scenes, industry talk points to BANA founder Kim Ki Hyun’s long-standing friendship with former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, dating back to their SM Entertainment days in the early 2010s. After the messy HYBE vs. Min Hee Jin legal drama, this rumored move could be NJZ’s definitive exit from HYBE’s ADOR, yet nothing has been confirmed so far.