Will Minji Be Part of NewJeans’ Next Comeback?

The future of NewJeans member Minji has become one of the biggest discussion topics among K-pop fans as rumors about the group’s next comeback continue to grow.

After months of legal disputes, contract issues, and uncertainty surrounding the group’s future, many fans are now asking the same question: Will Minji actually participate in NewJeans’ next comeback?

Here’s what is currently known based on public reports and official statements.

Why Fans Are Questioning Minji’s Participation

Speculation surrounding Minji began increasing after multiple Korean media reports suggested that only some NewJeans members had recently participated in music-related activities connected to a potential comeback.

In April 2026, reports surfaced that members Hanni, Haerin, and Hyein traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark for music production and pre-production work tied to NewJeans’ future activities. ADOR later confirmed that the trip was related to the group’s “new musical journey.” However, Minji was notably absent from those reports.

That immediately fueled online discussion about whether the group could temporarily promote without her.

ADOR Says Discussions With Minji Are “Positive”

Despite the speculation, ADOR has not confirmed that Minji is leaving NewJeans or skipping future activities.

In fact, on May 7, 2026, ADOR released a statement saying discussions regarding Minji’s future activities were progressing “positively.” The company also publicly celebrated her birthday through official NewJeans social media accounts for the first time since the legal conflict began.

The agency added that they had nothing further to announce yet, but discussions were moving in a positive direction.

This is important because it suggests that communication between Minji and the company is still ongoing rather than completely broken down.

The Legal Situation Still Matters

The uncertainty around Minji’s future cannot be separated from the larger conflict between HYBE, ADOR, and the members of NewJeans.

Following the highly publicized dispute involving former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, NewJeans entered a lengthy legal battle over their exclusive contracts. Courts ultimately ruled in favor of ADOR, confirming the validity of the group’s contracts.

Since then, reports indicate that some members have resumed discussions or activities with ADOR, while Minji’s status has remained less clear compared to others.

Because of that, fans have been closely analyzing every update involving the group.

Could NewJeans Return Without Minji?

At the moment, there is no official confirmation that NewJeans will return as a trio or without Minji permanently.

However, several media outlets have reported that preparations for new music are already underway involving only certain members.

That has led to three major possibilities being discussed online:

• Minji joins the comeback later after negotiations conclude
• The group promotes temporarily without her
• ADOR delays a full-group comeback until all discussions are finalized

Right now, none of these scenarios have been officially confirmed.

It’s also important to separate verified information from fan speculation. Many social media theories currently circulating are based on interpretation rather than official announcements.

Why This Situation Has Drawn So Much Attention

The situation surrounding NewJeans has become bigger than a normal comeback discussion because it reflects the larger relationship between K-pop agencies, artist contracts, and idol independence.

NewJeans was one of the most influential fourth-generation girl groups before activities paused amid the legal conflict. Because of that, every update involving members like Minji receives enormous attention from both Korean and international fans.

The possibility of a comeback without all original members has also become emotionally significant for many fans who strongly associate the group’s identity with its original five-member lineup.

Final Thoughts

As of now, there is still no confirmed answer regarding whether Minji will participate in NewJeans’ next comeback.

What is confirmed is that:

• ADOR says discussions with Minji are ongoing and “positive”
• Some members have already participated in comeback-related activities
• No official lineup for the next comeback has been announced yet

Until either ADOR or Minji releases a direct statement, most reports about her participation remain speculation rather than confirmed fact.

Still, with comeback preparations reportedly moving forward, fans will likely continue watching closely for any signs about NewJeans’ future lineup and whether Minji ultimately returns alongside the group.