On May 7, Minji shared a long message on a social media account independently managed by the members, writing, “I think I’ve been busier than I realized lately. Before I knew it, it was already May and my birthday had come. There’s so much I want to say, but maybe because my mind is so cluttered, it’s not coming together clearly. I just hope that me, my members and Bunnies (fandom name) are happy. Happiness is what I’d call the biggest goal of my life.”
She continued, “Maybe it seems ignorant to just chase after my own happiness by doing what I love. But isn’t it a bit too cruel to give up today’s happiness for the sake of a future happiness that may or may not ever come?”
Minji went on to express her hope, “I really miss the days when we came together through good music and shared our feelings, but I’m always looking forward to what’s next. We haven’t stopped here and we won’t stop! It may seem like we’re standing still, but I believe we’re only growing deeper.”
Meanwhile, NewJeans declared the termination of their exclusive contract with their agency ADOR last November, citing a breakdown in trust. They later announced a new name, NJZ, and began independent activities. In response, ADOR filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract and applied for an injunction to prohibit the group from entering new agency or advertising contracts.
The court granted the injunction in full, leading NewJeans to announce a temporary halt to their scheduled performances. Although the group filed an objection, it was dismissed, and they later appealed the decision.