ADOR Confirms NewJeans Status Update: Hanni Returns, Minji in Talks, Danielle’s Contract Terminated

ADOR has released an official update regarding the status of K-pop group NewJeans, following a recent Seoul district court ruling that confirmed the validity of the group’s exclusive contracts with the HYBE subsidiary. The announcement clarifies the futures of members Hanni, Minji, and Danielle, after Haerin and Hyein previously decided to return to the label.

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Court Ruling Confirms ADOR–NewJeans Contracts

On October 30, a Seoul court ruled that ADOR’s exclusive contracts with NewJeans remain legally valid, rejecting the group’s year-long attempt to terminate the agreements. Following this decision, ADOR stated that it engaged in extensive discussions with Minji, Hanni, Danielle, and their families to clarify misunderstandings and determine the members’ future directions.

While external reports suggested that all remaining members had already returned to ADOR, the agency emphasized that it was officially confirming each member’s intent individually.

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Hanni Confirms Return to ADOR

ADOR confirmed that Hanni, a 21-year-old Melbourne native, has officially decided to remain with the label. After visiting Korea with her family and participating in prolonged, in-depth discussions, Hanni chose to respect the court’s ruling and continue her activities under ADOR.

This decision aligns her with fellow members Haerin and Hyein, who had already returned to the agency following the ruling.

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Minji Remains in Ongoing Discussions

ADOR stated that Minji, the group’s eldest member, is still engaged in active discussions with the company. These talks are focused on building deeper mutual understanding, and ADOR indicated that a formal update on Minji’s status will be shared at a later date.

As of now, her future with NewJeans and ADOR remains undecided.

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Danielle’s Exclusive Contract Terminated

In contrast, ADOR confirmed that it has terminated Danielle’s exclusive contract. The agency explained that it determined it would be difficult for Danielle to continue as both a NewJeans member and an ADOR artist.

ADOR further announced its intention to pursue legal accountability against one of Danielle’s family members and former CEO Min Hee-jin, citing their significant responsibility in triggering the dispute and contributing to delays in NewJeans’ departure and potential return.

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ADOR Addresses Misunderstandings and Future Plans

According to ADOR, discussions with the members revealed that they had been exposed to distorted and biased information over an extended period, leading to serious misunderstandings about the company and ultimately escalating into the current conflict.

ADOR and the artists reportedly agree that restoring public trust and fan support will require fully resolving these misunderstandings based on accurate facts, even if the process takes time. The company also noted that it plans to address the various controversies arising from the dispute at a later stage, with timing and methods still under discussion.

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What’s Next for NewJeans?

ADOR concluded by stating that it will make every effort to resolve the situation amicably and enable NewJeans to return to fans as soon as possible. However, whether the group will continue as a three-, four-, or five-member act remains uncertain.

NewJeans have not released new music since their summer 2024 single “Supernatural”, leaving fans awaiting clarity on both the group’s lineup and future activities.

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Impact on HYBE Stock

The legal developments surrounding NewJeans have had a noticeable impact on HYBE’s stock performance. Following the court’s ruling in late October, HYBE shares rose more than 5% the next trading day on the KOSPI, reaching their highest level of the year in early November.

After Haerin and Hyein officially returned to ADOR in late November, the company’s stock again climbed nearly 5% the following day. Overall, HYBE shares are up approximately 63% year-to-date, largely amid ongoing developments related to the NewJeans dispute.