NEW Jeans Members Return to ADOR: A Full Timeline of Events

The New Jeans (NJZ) and the ADOR dispute is nearing its end now, as almost all the members are returning to the agency. According to a source, the four NJZ members and their guardians had a meeting with the ADOR CEO Lee Do Kyung on November 11. They discussed the conditions and situations under which the members will return to the Korean entertainment agency. On November 12, two of NJZ members, Haerin and Hyein, announced their comeback through ADOR. Seeing this, Minji, Hanni, and Danielle also showed their intention to join ADOR.

The case is basically at this juncture that if an appeal is not filed against the court ruling, which declares that the exclusive contract of each K-pop idol is valid. It will be finalised in favour of ADOR, seeking confirmation of contract validity against the members of New Jeans. Since Haerin and Hyein have now officially returned to ADOR, and the other three members have expressed their interest in coming back. There are very less to no chances of an official appeal in court by the K-pop group members.

What Really Happened Between NJZ and ADOR

ADOR and Hybe Dispute

The issue between the two began with corporate turmoil. The HYBE initiated an audit into ADOR, accusing the CEO of ADOR and the brain behind New Jeans of plotting against the agency to get full ownership of ADOR. Whereas Min Hee-Jin blamed HYBE for subjecting New Jeans to unfair competition from its girl group ILLIT.

NJZ Heads to Court Over ADOR Contract: The K-Pop Saga Shaping the Industry

Min Hee-Jin Resigned

On August 27, 2024, Min Hee-Jin resigned as CEO of ADOR following the corporate dispute between ADOR and HYBE. Members of New Jeans tried to retain Min Hee-Jin, and ADOR offered a producer role on a contract basis, which Min Hee-Jin outrightly rejected.

NJZ Press Conference

Members of NJZ held an emergency press conference demanding the return of Min Hee-Jin as CEO of ADOR, or else we will leave ADOR. This marked the first appearance of members against the music label HYBE and ADOR. Min Hee-Jin demanded that the company buy back her shares so that she could start afresh. Later, she started her own music label and management company, “OOAK” (One of a kind) in October 2025.

Termination of Contract

The five members held another emergency press conference on November 28, 2025, and announced the immediate termination of the exclusive contract with ADOR w.e.f. November 29, 2025. The NJZ members cited several reasons, including breach of contract, unfair treatment, workplace harassment, and discrimination against the members.

ADOR does not have the will or ability to protect NewJeans. If we remain here, it will be a waste of our time, and our mental distress will continue – New Jeans Members

ADOR Files Court Case

The music label ADOR refused to accept termination of the exclusive contract and filed a court case requesting confirmation of contract validity. ADOR added that the unilateral breach of trust claim does not impact contract validity and also demanded an injunction so that NJZ cannot pursue independent activities.

Rebranding of NJZ

The group announced that they might perform at ComplexCon, Hong Kong, under the new name of NJZ. Following this, they changed their Instagram username from @jeanzforfree to @njz_offiicial. ADOR reported the name change as a breach of the exclusive contract with the agency.

Injunction Granted

A South Korean court approved the demand of ADOR and granted an injunction to prevent the group from working outside the ADOR exclusive contract, including releasing new songs, deals with advertisers, and other business deals. Despite the injunction, the New Jeans, under the new name NJZ, performed at ComplexCon in Hong Kong, releasing their new song, “Pit Stop,” and stated this might be our last performance.

Penalties on NJZ Members

In May 2025, the court approved the plea of indirect enforcement filed by ADOR and imposed a financial penalty of 1 billion won on each member of New Jeans for each unauthorised activity performed despite the injunction. So, all the New Jeans members faced $ 734000 penalty for breaching their injunction clause.

Plea Rejected

After imposition of hefty financial penalties, the girl group filed a complaint against the Injunction proceeding but got rejected. On the same day, ADOR released a statement, “hope the members would return to where they belong.”

Court Ruling in Favour of ADOR

On October 30, 2025, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favour of ADOR and delivered its landmark judgement, quoting that the exclusive contract between ADOR and girl group New Jeans is valid and rejected the dismissal of Min Hee-Jin amounts to a violation of the exclusive contract between the two parties.

Min Hee-jin waged a public opinion war not for the purpose of protecting New Jeans, but for the purpose of New Jeans’ independence. – Seoul Central District Court

[NEW MEGATHREAD] ALL NJ MEMBERS RETURN TO ADOR
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New Jeans Return to ADOR

On 12 November 2025, Haerin and Hyein announced their return to the music label through an ADOR official statement. Following this, Minji, Hanni, and Danielle also announced their return to ADOR and resumption of activities.

The K-pop girl group New Jeans accused the music label of mistreatment and discrimination, plagiarism in the formation of the K-pop girl band ILLIT, while in return, ADOR and HYBE refuted plagiarism claims by the group, claimed that all the members earned 5 billion won in profit and does not amount to mistreatment, and declared Min Hee-Jin as the problem, not the agency ADOR. Based on claims and findings discovered by the Korean Central District Court ruled in favour of ADOR and HYBE, and marked the return of members to the music label.