NewJeans surprised fans recently after they released new social media content that reveals the return of Minji.

On 22 July, the girl group released a video titled “2026 Summer of NewJeans” featuring all four members to mark their fourth debut anniversary. However, they did not reveal specific activity plans.

This marks the first time in one year and four months that NewJeans has released team-based content. The video, as well as the photos posted on Instagram, is drawing attention from both within and outside the music industry especially since Minji had not yet made an official announcement regarding her return.

When asked about it, their management agency ADOR stated, “This video is commemorative content produced to celebrate the 4th anniversary of New Jeans’ debut with fans. We plan to announce New Jeans’ specific activity plans and methods after discussions with the members are completely finalised.”

NewJeans was previously involved in a lengthy battle with HYBE to break their contract, but lost their case in court. Following that, members Haerin, Hyein and Hanni decided to return to ADOR, while Minji was still in talks. On the other hand, ADOR revealed that they have terminated the contract of Danielle, the fifth member of the group.

On the other hand, Danielle posted a selfie on the same day the images were released, writing, “Life gets cloudy sometimes, but the light always finds its way back in. Until then, keep shining. Forever grateful.”

(Photo Source: Danielle IG, NewJeans IG)

NewJeans’ camp has recently denied accusations of plagiarism that were thrown against them by four songwriters, who claimed that there were similarities between the group’s 2024 song, “How Sweet” and a demo submitted by them for consideration prior to that.

On 9 May, ADOR released a statement denying the allegations, saying, “After confirming with BANA, which handled the composition and production of the song, we were informed that no plagiarism occurred. ADOR and the members also plan to actively respond to the lawsuit in line with BANA’s position.”

Previously, Audrey Armacost, Aidan Rodriguez, Adam Gokcebay, and Michael Campanelli filed a lawsuit against NewJeans and ADOR, demanding royalty distribution. They claimed that NewJeans’ “How Sweet” song copied their demo track, “One of a Kind”.

The plaintiffs reportedly stated in the complaint that they had proposed using the topline melody they composed to NewJeans’ side, but were informed it would not be used. However, four months later, “How Sweet” was released with a first-verse melody and structure allegedly similar to “One of a Kind.”

(Photo Source: Chosun, NME)

Amid claims that the group NewJeans is preparing a new album in Copenhagen, ADOR has released a statement saying that the group is now in a “preproduction process”.

On 27 April, the agency shared that the group, which was seen in the Denmark capital, is currently “preparing for activities according to their current condition and schedules optimised for each of them.”

“We plan to officially announce the members’ future plans at the best time,” it added.

Recently, sightings of NewJeans members Hani, Haerin, and Hyein in Copenhagen have been circulating on online communities. Following this, speculation arose that NewJeans might be recording a new album after a schedule at a recording studio in Copenhagen included a reservation under the name ‘ADOR’.

NewJeans, who had been in a dispute with their agency, saw Hani, Haerin, and Hyein return to ADOR first last November. Minji’s future has not yet been decided, while Danielle’s exclusive contract has been terminated.

(Photo Source: KO News, Chosun)

After a long dispute with ADOR, NewJeans recently confirmed that they are returning to the company.

Haerin and Hyein were the first to announce their return on 12 November, followed by the rest of the members, Minji, Danielle and Hanni, stating that they made the decision after careful deliberation.

“We were late in sharing this decision because one of the members is currently in Antarctica. Since ADOR has not yet responded, we had no choice but to share our position separately,” said the remaining three members.

Meanwhile, the company stated that they are in the process of verifying the authenticity of the decision.

It is noted that ADOR previously announced that Haerin and Hyein have expressed their intention to continue their collaboration.

The decision came after the 30 October ruling by the Seoul Central District Court, stating that the group must honour their exclusive contracts with ADOR through 2029.

The group previously alleged ADOR breached their agreement after the company dismissed former ADOR CEO, Min Hee-jin.

(Photo Source: NewJeans IG, Korea Times)

It is another setback for NewJeans, after it was revealed that the court has ruled in favour of ADOR in their contract dispute.

In a decision announced on 30 October, the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division stated that the exclusive contracts signed on 21 April 2022 between the two parties are valid.

The group previously argued that ADOR breached their contracts and their trust by ousting former CEO Min Hee-jin, and that they plan to continue activities independently.

However, ADOR stressed that the contracts were still valid, and filed a lawsuit in December 2024 seeking confirmation for its validity. They also requested for an injunction to block the members from independent activities before the final ruling.

The ruling has now broken the hopes of fans, who wanted to see the members reunite with Min, who recently started a new company called OOAK.

On the other hand, NewJeans’ legal rep stated that while they respect the court’s decision, the members believe it is impossible to return to ADOR due to the complete breakdown of trust. They added that the group plans to appeal the ruling immediately.

(Photo Source: All Kpop, NEWJEANS Fan account IG)

The former CEO of ADOR Min Hee-jin is now the founder of a new agency called ooak.

SpoTV News shared the news recently, saying that the company, which was officially registered on 16 October, will be involved in talent management, music production, performance and event organisation among others.

Based in Seoul, the company marks the first business Min is involved in since leaving ADOR last year.

The news of Min’s new agency has given hope for fans of NEWJEANS, with many believing that the group will join Min in the new company if their contract can be nullified.

At the same time, others have expressed scepticism as to whether the court will let that happen. The group will be having a hearing on 30 October following an injunction that blocked them from carrying out activities separately from ADOR.

(Photo Source: NEWJEANS IG, NEWJEANS Fan account IG)

A month after she testified on workplace harassment in front of the Labour Committee of South Korea’s National Assembly, NewJeans’ Hanni was told that she is ineligible for workplace harassment protections provided by the Labour Standards Act.

On 20 November, the Seoul Regional Office of Employment and Labour announced it had closed its investigation into the case that was first filed by the singer’s fans, saying that Hanni is not classified as an employee under the law.

“We closed the case because it is difficult to deem her an employee defined by the Labour Standards Act,” the office said.

It stated that Hanni does not meet the criteria as a subordinate with her agency ADOR as their contract agreement is between “two equal parties”.

In this instance, the singer paid her taxes as business income instead of salary, was not subject to the same rules as company staff, has no fixed working hours or a specific location, and received a share of profits rather than wages among others.

Back in October, the Vietnamese-Australian singer, who was called to give evidence following NewJeans’ allegations against HYBE about the treatment they received following the dismissal of their mentor and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-Jin, revealed that the aforementioned agency has been undermining them as a group and ignoring her.

(Photo Source: Hanni fanpage IG, JoongAng Daily)

NewJeans’ Hanni recently put a brave front and faced the Labour Committee of South Korea’s National Assembly to testify about workplace harassment.

The Vietnamese-Australian singer, who was called to give evidence last month following NewJeans’ allegations against HYBE about the treatment they received following the dismissal of their mentor and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-Jin, revealed that the aforementioned agency has been undermining them as a group and ignoring her.

“I came to the realisation that this wasn’t just a feeling. I was honestly convinced that the company hated us,” she said.

In one instance, Hanni said that a manager had instructed members of another group to ignore her.

“We have a floor in our building where we do hair and make-up. And at that time, I was waiting in the hallway because my hair and make-up was done first,” she said.

Hanni said that three singers from another band and their manager walked past while she waited, so she decided to say hello to them.

“Then they came back about five or 10 minutes later. On her way out, [the manager] made eye contact with me, turned to the rest of the group and said, ‘Ignore her like you didn’t see her’. I don’t understand why she would say something like that in the work environment,” she added.

She also revealed in another instance that she was never greeted by someone in a high-up position since her debut despite her attempts to be nice.

“I understood from living in Korea that I have to be polite to older people and that’s part of the culture – but I think it’s just disrespectful as a human being to not greet us, regardless of our professional status. There was a certain vibe [of disrespect] that I felt within the company,” she said.

Meanwhile, Kim Joo-young, the current CEO of ADOR said that they were “unable to find supporting evidence” of Hanni’s story, though claimed to believe the singer’s story.

(Photo Source: Koreaboo, AllKPop)

Amid the issues surrounding HYBE and ADOR, it was revealed that idol group NewJeans has been appointed the new ambassador for Calvin Klein.

The group shared the good news on social media with a photo of the five members clad in the American brand’s jeans and clothes, and wrote, “Calvin Klein‘s Newest Global Ambassador”.

Meanwhile, the brand has also released several photos of a video of the members wearing their items of clothing, writing, “@newjeans_official has It. Attention on the pop supergroup, wearing Calvin Klein.”

Prior to Calvin Klein, NewJeans previously represented another denim brand, Levi’s. They have also served as global ambassadors for Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, LG Electronics’ Gram laptop, and Lotte’s Pepero among others.

(Photo Source: NewJeans IG, Calvin Klein IG)

In a move that surprised many, K-pop group NewJeans has released a video calling for HYBE to reinstate Min Hee-jin as the CEO of their agency, ADOR.

On 11 September, members Haerin, Hanni, Hyein, Danielle, and Minji sat together to discuss the ongoing battle between HYBE and Min in a video that has now been deleted but not before fans were able to save and repost on several platforms.

Revealing that they had a meeting with HYBE prior to recording the video, Danielle expressed, ​​”Even before debuting as NewJeans and through all of the time that we spent together with CEO Min Hee-jin, all of us felt that the music we wanted to make and the kind of world we wanted to build together, our vision, was similar in so many ways. With CEO Min Hee-jin, we were able to prepare each and every task with sincere hearts, and I believe it shows in our work.”

“CEO Min Hee-jin is not only the person that produces our music but someone who makes NewJeans who we are. She discusses even the smallest details with us and explains them in ways that we can understand clearly. NewJeans has a distinct colour and tone, and this was created with CEO Min Hee-jin. She is integral to NewJeans’ identity and we all feel that she is irreplaceable.”

Meanwhile, Hyein stated that Min’s dismissal as CEO made it feel like HYBE does not respect them.

Said Minji, “The ADOR that we want is an ADOR where the music production and company management are done by Min Hee-jin as the CEO. We make this request as the way to cohabitate peacefully with HYBE.”

It is noted that Min was dismissed as CEO of ADOR in late August and was replaced by another member of the board of directors, Kim Ju-young. However, she remains producer for the group.

(Photo Source: NewJeans IG, Min Hee-jin IG)