Uncertainty continues to surround NewJeans member Minji as discussions with ADOR remain ongoing, raising questions over whether she will ultimately return to the agency.
On December 29, ADOR released an official statement addressing the status of its exclusive contract dispute with NewJeans. The agency revealed that following the court’s final ruling confirming the validity of the exclusive contracts, it had held extensive discussions with Minji, Hanni, and the families of three members. According to ADOR, Hanni has decided to respect the court’s ruling and continue her activities with the agency.
Regarding Minji, ADOR stated that “she is currently in discussions with the company, and conversations are continuing.” In contrast, ADOR confirmed that Danielle had been notified of the termination of her exclusive contract, citing the conclusion that continuing activities together was no longer feasible.
ADOR moved swiftly following the announcement, filing a lawsuit against Danielle and related parties. The damages and penalty lawsuit, totaling approximately 43.1 billion KRW, has been assigned to the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 31. Notably, the same court division is also handling the ongoing civil dispute between former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin and HYBE concerning ADOR shares and a 26 billion KRW put option, further linking the legal conflicts surrounding NewJeans.
NewJeans initially declared contract termination in November 2024, citing ADOR’s alleged failure to fulfill its obligations. However, in October, the court once again ruled in favor of ADOR in its lawsuit seeking confirmation of the contracts’ validity. Following the ruling, ADOR announced that members Haerin and Hyein had expressed their intent to return.
Minji, Hanni, and Danielle later also released a joint statement through their legal representatives, saying they had “decided to return to ADOR after careful consideration.” However, the statement was released before negotiations with ADOR had been finalized, prompting the agency to respond that it was still “verifying the members’ intentions” and arranging individual meetings.
While Danielle has since taken a firm legal stance against ADOR, the agency’s approach toward Hanni and Minji has differed. Hanni’s decision to return drew attention, particularly given her previous outspoken criticism of HYBE and ADOR, including her appearance before the National Assembly over workplace-related issues.
Minji’s position, however, remains unresolved. Despite being regarded as a de facto leader within the group, she has yet to reach a complete agreement with ADOR following her initial declaration of intent to return. Industry observers note that ADOR’s reference to “ongoing discussions” leaves room for interpretation, as it remains unclear whether negotiations are progressing positively or stalled due to unresolved differences.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the atmosphere between Minji and ADOR is not as confrontational as in Danielle’s case. While talks have continued for an extended period following the first court ruling, the situation is not necessarily viewed as negative.
Minji’s eventual decision is expected to significantly impact NewJeans’ future activities. Should she choose to return, it could allow ADOR to prepare for a gradual resumption of group activities, even if a full-member comeback remains uncertain. However, observers note that addressing past controversies and issuing clarifications or apologies may be unavoidable moving forward.
ADOR has stated that during discussions, it became apparent that the members had developed misunderstandings about the company after being exposed to “distorted and biased information” over a long period. The agency emphasized that restoring trust with fans and the public would require time, accurate fact-checking, and opportunities to clarify controversies that arose during the dispute.
As negotiations continue, Minji’s final decision remains one of the most closely watched factors in determining NewJeans’ path forward.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
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