Dani Leaving the Group and Delay in NewJeans Comeback: The Year-Long Legal Battle That Shook K-Pop
A few weeks ago we were announcing a potential comeback for the girls and the group. Now, as we look back at the tumultuous journey that brought us here, the story becomes clear. The K-pop world witnessed one of its most dramatic legal battles in 2024-2025, as NewJeans announced their intention to terminate their exclusive contract with ADOR, citing mistreatment, manipulation and breach of contract. What followed was a year of courtroom drama, attempted rebrands, and ultimately, a return to the label that launched them to stardom.
The Breaking Point
The conflict erupted in November 2024 when NewJeans held an emergency press conference announcing their termination of the exclusive contract. At the heart of their grievances was the removal of Min Hee-jin, their former CEO and the creative force behind the group's distinctive aesthetic. The members felt deeply connected to Min, who had guided them since before their debut, and refused to cooperate unless she was reinstated.
During the press conference, member Hanni didn't mince words about ADOR's transformation, stating the company "no longer has any sincerity in the art of music that is created, is rather fixated on appearing like a well-working company despite only having thoughts about making money". The members also alleged that HYBE, ADOR's parent company, had been "secretly following us, defaming us and spreading false information through media outlets".
The Attempted Rebrand
Rather than accept defeat, NewJeans attempted to forge their own path. In early 2025, they launched a new identity: NJZ. They launched a personal Instagram to continue updating fans on ADOR's actions and to advocate for themselves. The group even performed under this new moniker at ComplexCon Hong Kong in March 2025.
But this independence was short-lived. ADOR wasn't about to let their most successful group walk away so easily. The label filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the exclusive contracts and in June, they were each fined $734,000 for "unauthorized activities".
The Legal Battle
The core question before the Seoul Central District Court was straightforward but consequential: could NewJeans legally terminate their contracts? At the heart of the trial is whether the exclusive contract is still binding or if NewJeans has legitimate grounds for contract termination.
ADOR's position was firm. The label argued that parent company Hybe invested around 21 billion won ($15.1 million) in the group's growth, and that the contract couldn't simply be dissolved over interpersonal conflicts. NewJeans countered that the ousting of former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin and the replacement of Ador leadership with Hybe executives fundamentally altered the agency they originally signed with.
In October 2025, the court delivered its verdict. The judge decided that the exclusive contract between NewJeans and ADOR was valid and would remain in effect until 2029, explaining that while the relationship between the members and the company was bad, "mistrust" is not a legal reason to cancel a binding contract.
The Financial Reality
Behind the legal arguments lay a harsh financial reality. NewJeans would have to pay 300 billion Korean won (approximately $200 million USD) to terminate the contract early. For perspective, that's an astronomical sum even for one of K-pop's most successful groups. This highlighted a broader industry problem: leaving prematurely is virtually impossible due to the required fee.
The case exposed what many have called K-pop's "7 Year Curse" – the industry standard of seven-year contracts that bind artists to their labels with little room for negotiation or early exit.
The Fracture: Different Paths Forward
What started as a unified front has now splintered into individual decisions, forever changing NewJeans' lineup.
Hanni: Staying with ADOR
Hanni became the first member to officially commit to staying with ADOR. According to the company's statement, Hanni visited Korea with her family for extensive discussions and ultimately decided to remain, respecting the court's ruling that upheld their contracts. Her decision to stay provides some stability for the group's future, though questions remain about how she'll navigate working within a system she previously criticized.
Minji: Still Negotiating
Minji's status remains in flux. ADOR has confirmed that she is continuing conversations with the company, but no final decision has been announced. Her choice will be crucial in determining whether NewJeans can maintain some semblance of its original lineup or whether the group will be reduced to a smaller configuration.
Danielle: Contract Terminated
In the most dramatic development, ADOR has officially notified Danielle of her contract termination, stating that it is no longer possible to continue with her as a NewJeans member or ADOR artist. This marks the first confirmed departure from the group and represents a significant loss, as Danielle was one of the most recognizable faces of NewJeans.
The company didn't stop there. ADOR announced plans to pursue legal responsibility against one of Danielle's family members and former CEO Min Hee-jin, claiming they played a major role in causing the dispute and delaying the group's return. This suggests that ADOR views Danielle's exit not just as a business decision, but as the result of external interference that damaged their relationship beyond repair.
Hyein and Haerin: Status Unclear
While earlier reports indicated that Hyein and Haerin were among the first to signal their return to the agency in November 2025, their current status in light of Danielle's departure and the ongoing negotiations with Minji remains unclear. ADOR has not provided specific updates on these two members.
What's Next for NewJeans?
A lineup change for NewJeans now seems unavoidable. The group that debuted as a five-member phenomenon may continue with fewer members, fundamentally altering their dynamic, choreography, and vocal arrangements. ADOR has stated that both the company and the artists agreed that it will take time, but clearing up misunderstandings is necessary to regain fans' trust and public support.
As of late December 2025, ADOR has been preparing for NewJeans' comeback, submitting a list of new songs to the court and stating that preparations for a full album are complete. However, these plans were made when all five members were expected to return. Now, with Danielle officially out and Minji's status uncertain, those comeback plans may need significant revision.
Industry insiders have expressed concerns about whether the group can recapture their former magic with a changed lineup. As one anonymous industry figure noted, "NewJeans is no longer just an idol group. It has become a case study that reminds people of structural problems in the K-pop industry and internal power struggles". The source added that "repeated exposure to negative narratives has taken away their biggest strengths, novelty and innocence".
Complicating matters further, Min Hee-jin has launched her own entertainment company, OOAK Records, formally severing her connection to the group she helped create.
The question remains whether NewJeans can maintain their artistic identity without both the creative director who defined their aesthetic and potentially some of the original members who brought that vision to life.
Broader Implications
The NewJeans-ADOR dispute has become more than just one group's legal battle. It has sparked important conversations about power dynamics in the K-pop industry, the enforceability of exclusive contracts, and the limited options available to artists who find themselves in untenable situations with their labels.
The legal battle was heavily publicized, with the NewJeans members each actively involved, giving statements both in court and online about exploitation and workplace harassment. Their willingness to speak out, even in defeat, may inspire future reforms in how K-pop contracts are structured and enforced.
What makes this case particularly significant is that it didn't end uniformly.
The fact that members made different choices – Hanni staying, Danielle departing, Minji negotiating – demonstrates the complex personal and financial calculations each artist must make. It also shows that even when contracts are upheld by courts, the working relationships can deteriorate to the point where continuation becomes impossible for some parties.
The Uncertain Future
For now, NewJeans stands at a crossroads unlike any other in K-pop history. A group that was once united in their desire to leave has fractured, with members choosing different paths forward. Hanni will continue under ADOR's management, Danielle has officially departed, and Minji's future hangs in the balance.
The remaining members are contractually bound to ADOR until 2029, but what that actually looks like in practice remains unclear. Will NewJeans continue as a three or four-member group? Will they maintain their signature sound without Min Hee-jin's creative direction and with a changed lineup? Can they rebuild trust with fans who have watched this painful public dispute unfold for over a year?
As member Danielle declared during the initial press conference in November 2024, "Regardless of our name, just remember that NewJeans never dies". Now, ironically, it's Danielle who has left the group. Whether that defiant spirit can survive without her, and whether NewJeans can truly be NewJeans with a fundamentally altered lineup, are the questions that will define the next chapter of their story.
What's certain is that this case has forever changed how we think about K-pop contracts, artist agency, and the human cost of industry disputes. NewJeans' story is no longer just about music – it's about power, choice, and the price of standing up for what you believe in, even when the system is designed to make you stay.