NewJeans has announced their next move after completing all scheduled group activities earlier this month.
Instead of using the official social media channels, they are communicating with fans and making key announcements through a separate Instagram account, jeanzforfree.
Notably, they have not used the group name “NewJeans” since announcing contract termination with ADOR in November last year. While members announced their contract terminated on November 29 at midnight, ADOR asserts that their exclusive contract remains valid.
The label filed a lawsuit against the group to confirm the legitimacy of the contract in December 2024. They have repeatedly urged NewJeans members to return and carry out group activities.
However, members have shown their support for former CEO Min Hee Jin and want to continue to work with her.
In addition, ADOR recently filed a second lawsuit against the group to prevent them from signing any independent deals with brands.
On January 23, NewJeans announced through their new Instagram account that they had appointed a new law firm to represent them.
Here is the official statement
“Hello.
This is Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein.
We have learned through the media that ADOR has filed a ‘Confirmation of Validity of Exclusive Contract’ lawsuit against us, followed by an application for an ‘Injunction for Preservation of Agency Status and Prevention of Advertising Contract Execution.’ We received the complaint and application documents a few days ago, and have appointed Law Firm Sejong (Shin & Kim LLC) as our legal representative.
Given that ADOR and HYBE have appointed Kim & Chang Law Firm as their representative, we felt the need for a law firm that could effectively counter this. We believe Shin & Kim LLC is the most suitable choice, as they already understand HYBE and ADOR’s wrongdoings and issues, which is crucial for responding to the rapidly proceeding injunction.
HYBE and ADOR have failed to fulfill their duties as an agency to protect and nurture their artists. Throughout our activities, there were various forms of interference, and they essentially abandoned us, disguising their intention to ‘terminate our entertainment careers’ as ‘extended vacation.’
Even after the legal termination of our exclusive contract, groundless criticism poured in through the media and YouTube reaction channels, most of which contained information that could only have come from ADOR and HYBE. We cannot help but conclude that ADOR and HYBE are at the center of all these issues.
While ADOR and HYBE publicly ask us to return, they continue to harass and attack us behind the scenes, just as before. Recently, they secretly met with some of our parents, attempting to persuade and divide them. Rather than using cowardly methods to disparage and divide us behind closed doors and manipulating the media with false information, we wish they would address these matters honestly and fairly.
We state this firmly: The 5 of us have no intention of returning to HYBE and ADOR, from whom we cannot expect even minimal good faith.
Even after the termination of our exclusive contract, we wanted to conclude our remaining schedules and contracts amicably without dispute, hoping to avoid causing harm to those involved. Seeing ADOR and HYBE refuse to cooperate with these intentions and efforts, and instead cause harm to us and others through improper methods, we have decided to no longer remain silent.
We will fight proudly in court through legal proceedings to clearly reveal the wrongdoings of ADOR and HYBE, and to make the truth known.
We are sorry to worry our fans who cherish and love us. However, we will stand firm to the end through legitimate means so that we can freely share our music with you again soon. Please continue to support us. Thank you.”
The dispute that started in April 2024 remains unresolved, with neither side willing to compromise. As a result, NewJeans’ activities have been severely impacted. The situation is closely watched, and fans hope the ongoing issue gets resolved soon.