Min Hee-jin issues statement on NewJeans’ planned return to ADOR

Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin has released a statement following the news that NewJeans are planning to return to the agency after a lengthy legal battle. On November 12, ADOR announced that members Hyein and Haerin had “expressed their intention to continue their activities” with the label. “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.Remaining members Hanni, Danielle, and Minji have also reportedly decided to return to ADOR, although the agency is currently verifying these reports: “We are checking on the truth of Minji, Hanni, and Danielle’s intent to return.”In response to this news, former ADOR head Min Hee-jin shared her own statement: “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.”Min also expressed gratitude to the fans: “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.”She acknowledged the challenges faced during the ongoing legal disputes: “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 overseen NewJeans’ career prior to their hiatus and legal issues with HYBE and ADOR, formally resigned from the company in November last year. She had stepped down as CEO of ADOR in August. After claiming her initial resignation was not her choice, she was reinstated as an internal director on ADOR’s board in late September, with her new contract recently renewed for three additional years.Following her resignation, Min and NewJeans were involved in a lengthy battle against ADOR, with the K-pop group claiming that Hee-jin’s removal made them feel unprotected and that the label was unable to promote them with the same care that Min had.ADOR filed an injunction against the group in March, seeking to block them from carrying out independent activities under a different name after the band rebranded themselves as ‘NJZ’ and announced a performance at ComplexCon in Hong Kong. The group went ahead with their ComplexCon performance, debuting a new song and announcing an indefinite hiatus after a court ruled against their rebranding.The court had ruled that NewJeans were required to honor their contracts with ADOR and could not engage in individual or group activities without the agency’s approval. Additionally, the court found that NewJeans’ allegations of mistreatment by ADOR lacked evidence. On October 30, the Seoul Central District Court rejected NewJeans’ appeal to terminate their contract with ADOR, meaning they must remain with the agency exclusively until 2029.