The five NewJeans members have been active under the new name NJZ, since unilaterally announcing the termination of their exclusive contracts through a press conference in November 2024. Captured from Instagram
By Pyo Kyung-min
Members of K-pop group NewJeans, who recently attempted to pursue independent activities under the name NJZ, were “disappointed” by the court ruling on Friday that blocked their efforts to operate outside of Ador, according to an article published in Time magazine.
The American weekly magazine reported Saturday (local time) that the five members of NewJeans — Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein — shared their reaction to the decision, adding that they “didn’t expect the issues in the K-pop industry to change overnight.”
The Friday ruling granted an injunction filed by Hybe subsidiary Ador, which sought to maintain management control over the group and prevent its members from signing independent advertising contracts. As a result, the five members are now unable to pursue independent music activities until the first trial verdict is reached in their main lawsuit regarding the validity of their exclusive contracts.
Speaking to Time through an interpreter in a video interview, the members reportedly expressed their frustration with the current state.
“Compared to everything we’ve been through so far, this is just another step in our journey,” a statement from the members was quoted as saying.
“Maybe this is just the current reality in Korea. But that’s exactly why we believe change and growth are necessary. It almost feels like Korea wants to turn us into revolutionaries.”
The article also covered the unfairness the members felt throughout a broader timeline, from April 2024 — when Ador’s former CEO Min Hee-jin was forcefully placed under audit — to November, when the NewJeans members unilaterally announced they were terminating their contracts, citing breaches of obligation from the label’s side.
The official poster for ComplexCon Hong Kong, featuring NewJeans, scheduled for Sunday. Courtesy of ComplexCon
“There’s just a very structural problem in K-pop in general, where companies don’t really view their artists as actual human beings and rather see them as products,” Vietnamese Australian member Hanni said.
The Time report suggested the relationship between the group and Ador “may be beyond repair,” noting that the members have stressed their desire to part ways with the agency and seek representation elsewhere.
According to the report, Hanni disputed rumors that they have signed with a new label, but said, “We are looking for an agency to help us … a third party to help us in between to communicate with other people.”
Despite the ongoing legal dispute, the five members’ plans to perform at ComplexCon in Hong Kong on Sunday will proceed as scheduled, though they will no longer be able to use their new name, NJZ.
Ador is set to provide on-site support in Hong Kong, “to ensure the performance is carried out under the name of NewJeans and managed by Ador,” the company said Friday in a press release.
On Saturday, the members took to their newly opened Instagram account (@njz_official) to share their thoughts on the upcoming show, writing, “We’re already feeling nervous about tomorrow’s stage. But we sincerely hope our love for performing comes across to everyone.”
The first court hearing to determine the validity of NewJeans’ contract with Ador is scheduled for April 3.