Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin has issued a statement following the news that NewJeans are planning to return to the agency after a lengthy legal battle.
- READ MORE: NewJeans on The Cover: “We want to show the industry that music shouldn’t be divided by language”
Yesterday (November 12), ADOR announced that members Hyein and Haerin had “expressed their intention to continue their activities” with the label (translated to English).
“After careful consideration with their families and thorough discussions with ADOR, the two members have made the decision to respect the court’s ruling and comply with the exclusive contract,” the message added.
[NOTICE] 어도어에서 알려드립니다.
뉴진스 멤버 해린과 혜인이 어도어와 함께 활동을 이어가겠다는 의사를 밝혀왔습니다.
두 멤버는 가족들과 함께 심사숙고하고 어도어와 충분한 논의를 거친 끝에,
법원의 판결을 존중하고 전속계약을 준수하겠다는 결정을 내렸습니다.
어도어는 해린과 혜인이…— ADOR (@alldoorsoneroom) November 12, 2025
Remaining members Hanni, Danielle and Minji have also announced their decision to return to ADOR, according to reports, though ADOR has said they’re in the process of verifying these reports: “We are checking on the truth of Minji, Hanni, and Danielle’s intent to return.”
Following this news, former ADOR head Min Hee-jin has shared her own statement, per Soompi: “With many inquiries coming in, I would like to share my position. I believe the decision the members made yesterday to return together was reached after deep deliberation and discussion. I respect and support that choice.
“Despite the difficulties, I deeply value the courage of the members who joined hands again to protect one another. I can start anew anywhere. However, I believe that under any circumstances, NewJeans must be kept intact as five members. I hope the members grow stronger and that NewJeans becomes an even better group, and above all, that all five members are happy.
“More than anything, thank you to fans who stood by NewJeans even in difficult times. Please give a warm welcome to the members as they overcome these challenges and make their return. I too will watch over NewJeans’ music and growth and support them to the very end.
“During this period, as multiple lawsuits proceeded simultaneously, a difficult time has been prolonged for all of us. The litigation between HYBE and me is entirely separate and has nothing to do with NewJeans. As an individual, I am doing my very best and hope the truth will be brought to light. I ask for your continued support.”
Min, who had long overseen NewJeans’ career prior to their hiatus and legal feud with HYBE and ADOR, formally resigned from the company in November last year. The music executive first stepped down as CEO of ADOR that August. After Min publicly claimed the initial resignation was not her choice, she was eventually reinstated as an internal director on ADOR’s board of directors in late-September. Her new contract was recently renewed for three additional years with the board.
Following her resignation, Min and NewJeans found themselves in a lengthy battle against ADOR, with the K-pop group claiming that Hee-jin’s removal from the company had made them feel unprotected, and that the label was incapable of promoting NewJeans with the same care that Min had.
ADOR filed an injunction against the group in March, requesting to block them from carrying out independent activities under a different name. This came after the band independently rebranded themselves as ‘NJZ’ and were announced to perform at ComplexCon in Hong Kong.
The group would proceed with their ComplexCon performance, where they debuted a new song and announced an indefinite hiatus after a court ruled against the band’s rebranding.
The court had ruled over the summer that NewJeans were urged to honour their contracts with ADOR, and would not be legally permitted to engage in individual or group activities without the agency’s approval. Additionally, the court maintained that NewJeans’ allegations of mistreatment at the hands of ADOR had no standing due to a lack of evidence.
On October 30, the Seoul Central District Court rejected NewJeans’ appeal to terminate their contract and agreement with ADOR in order to pursue independent activities. As a result of this verdict, NewJeans are required to remain with ADOR exclusively until 2029.
