NewJeans, now performing under the name “NJZ,” is standing firm in their decision to separate from their former label ADOR despite the recent court ruling restricting their independent activities, even to the point of temporarily suspending their activities.
In an exclusive interview with BBC, members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein spoke candidly about their struggles, the legal battle, and why they refuse to go back.
Minji expressed the weight of the situation, saying, “The fact that this situation isn’t socially working in our favor shows that we aren’t in a position where we can freely say what we want. But we still chose to speak up, even knowing that.”
Why They Won’t Return to ADOR
Following the court’s decision on March 21 to uphold ADOR’s status as NewJeans’ official agency, the company expressed its hope to “support the artists fully” and officially backed their upcoming performance at ComplexCon Hong Kong. However, the members revealed they were blindsided by this move.
“We were really shocked. We had already explained how much we were struggling and that we couldn’t work together anymore. But then, without even consulting us, they said they were coming to our event again… It felt like the same pattern repeating itself”, Minji said, adding, “We’ve suffered significant emotional distress. To go back and endure that pain again would be cruel.”
Danielle added that she had completely lost trust in ADOR, stating, “This isn’t about getting sympathy. We just wanted to do what we love properly. But lies and misunderstandings keep getting in the way.”
The Courage to Speak Out
Hyein addressed those who questioned why the group didn’t simply “endure” the situation, explaining, “For us, this was about protecting ourselves. We needed to stand firm so that we could return stronger.”
Hanni, who even testified at a National Assembly hearing regarding workplace mistreatment, reinforced their determination to shed light on larger systemic issues, stated, “It would have been easy for our issue to be ignored. But I was given the chance to speak, so I took it. This isn’t just about us it’s about ensuring all employees are treated with respect in their workplaces. If this opportunity can help bring about real change, then it was the right decision to testify.”
However, the Ministry of Employment and Labor ruled that NewJeans did not qualify as employees under labor law, dismissing claims of workplace harassment. ADOR further presented selective CCTV footage and messages from Hanni during the court hearing, arguing that the alleged mistreatment never occurred. To this, Hanni fired back, saying, “They only released footage that benefits them while twisting my words to fit their narrative.”
When BBC asked ADOR whether they had verified the content of Hanni’s messages, the company declined to comment.
A Decision They Made Together
Amid speculation that the young members were being manipulated into leaving, Hanni clarified, “People assume we’re too young to make our own decisions. But just because we’re young doesn’t mean we take things any less seriously or think about them any less. WWe took this very seriously and discussed everything in depth. The five of us agreed, and that’s why we took this step.”
“If we had stayed silent, only HYBE’s version of events and media reports would have been accepted as truth. We couldn’t stand by and let our words be twisted or the real issues be obscured”, she added.
Meanwhile, Minji admitted that standing up for themselves came with fear. “Of course we were scared. We knew we would be judged from the moment we spoke up. Every word and action carries huge responsibility”, she shared.
However, they believe it was a necessary risk to secure their future. Hyein stated, “This is our life. No one else should decide it for us.”
Living Each Day Like a Documentary
Reflecting on the past year, Hyein described it as “living through a documentary every single day.” She confessed, “I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. I just tell myself to survive today.”
The female idol also admitted that there were times when she questioned why they had to endure such hardship, but ultimately, she saw it as a necessary step in finding a solution for themselves. “Now, I’m gradually feeling better”, she said.
Danielle revealed that at first, she tried to suppress her emotions and focus solely on performing. “I thought ignoring everything would make it easier. I pushed down my feelings and tried to ignore the situation, focusing only on preparing for performances. But in reality, that just made things worse,” she admitted.
However, according to Danielle, she has eventually learned to express her emotions and gained a broader perspective on herself, her fans, and the world through the experience.
Hanni also spoke about her biggest fear—not losing her career, but losing herself, saying, “I’m terrified of losing who I am. If that happens, everything falls apart. But I still have myself, and I have my members and family beside me.”
Meanwhile, the members agreed that throughout this ordeal, their bond had only grown stronger through countless conversations, saying, “We’ve constantly discussed what’s best in each moment. We know we haven’t made perfect decisions every time, but we’ve always done our best to make the right choices.”