SEOUL — In a shocking turn of events, NewJeans has officially announced the termination of their exclusive contract with ADOR. At an emergency press conference held on the afternoon of November 28 at the Galaxy Hall, Space Share Samsung Station Center in Gangnam, Seoul, Minji, the group’s leader, delivered the announcement, effective at midnight.
Minji stated, “As of midnight on the 29th, NewJeans’ exclusive contract with ADOR will be terminated. While it is said that there is no obligation to terminate the contract because HYBE, not ADOR, is at fault, we consider HYBE and ADOR to be one entity.” She revealed internal turmoil, including the sudden dismissal of key directors, which eroded the group’s trust in their agency.
“ADOR, reshaped to fit HYBE’s preferences, has broken its relationship with the directors we initially worked with and violated our trust. The correction deadline ends tonight, and yesterday’s statement claiming to meet our requirements was nothing but a performance. No genuine corrections have been made,” she explained.
This announcement follows a proof of contents sent by NewJeans to HYBE and ADOR on November 13. The document, signed by all five members—Minji, Hani, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein demanded that violations of their exclusive contract be corrected within 14 days or the contract would be terminated. With no adequate response from ADOR by the November 28 deadline, the group made their decision public.
On November 27, ADOR issued a statement on their official social media, claiming to have implemented corrective measures. However, Minji and the members refuted this, stating the agency’s actions were insufficient and insincere. The group also pointed out past grievances, including an incident involving alleged mistreatment of Hani, which further strained their relationship with the agency.
In an additional twist, Min Hee-jin, ADOR’s former CEO and creative director, reportedly requested reinstatement in the group’s demands. However, she resigned from HYBE entirely on November 20, deepening the uncertainty surrounding the agency’s management.
This unexpected development has sent shockwaves through the industry, leaving fans wondering about NewJeans’ next steps and the future of one of K-pop’s most prominent groups. Stay tuned for further updates.
Article source, images courtesy of ADOR
