Despite losing their lawsuit against ADOR and the court holding Min Hee Jin partly responsible for tensions with fellow girl group ILLIT, NewJeans continues to show unwavering loyalty to their former CEO — and Korean netizens are demanding answers.
In a recent post that exploded on the online community Pann, one netizen posed a question many have been wondering: “Why can’t NewJeans let go of Min Hee Jin?” The post, viewed over 80,000 times, theorizes that the group’s loyalty isn’t rooted in personal affection — but in survival.
“None of the members have standout star power or talent individually,” the post claimed. “Their fame comes from their songs and aesthetic, both of which were entirely crafted by Min Hee Jin. Without her, there’s no substance — just polished visuals.”
The comments reflect growing skepticism surrounding the idol group’s identity and autonomy. Many users described the relationship as “cult-like,” with some speculating about hidden contracts, financial ties, or even manipulation.
On October 30, the Seoul Central District Court dismissed NewJeans’ claim of a breach of trust, ordering them to fulfill their exclusive contract with ADOR, possibly through 2029. During the trial, it was revealed that Min Hee Jin had helped instigate accusations that ILLIT’s manager told members to ignore Hanni — a move that intensified the public rift between the two rookie girl groups.
“Even FIFTY FIFTY‘s Keena walked away. Why not a single NewJeans member?” one netizen asked, suggesting that something deeper — like financial dependency — may be at play.
Others noted how rare it is for a fandom to credit a CEO over the idols: “With NewJeans, fans act like Min Hee Jin is the real star. That never happens, even with artists carried by the company.”
The criticism didn’t stop there. Some called the group “over-marketed dancers,” suggesting that without Min’s branding, the members wouldn’t have stood out in a saturated K-pop market.
Despite the backlash, NewJeans’ legal team has announced plans to appeal, stating that trust between the group and ADOR has been “irreparably broken.”
For now, the court battle may be paused — but the debate over who really holds the power behind NewJeans continues to escalate.
Sources: Koreaboo, Pann, Chosun Ilbo
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