NewJeans Announce Split From Label

NewJeans announced in a press conference in Seoul, South Korea on Thursday that they are leaving their agency ADOR, a subsidiary of the South Korean mega-label HYBE. Their departure, in the wake of disputes between HYBE and ADOR’s now ex-CEO, Min Hee-jin, may mean that NewJeans won’t be able to use their band name on future projects, the group told reporters.

“Once we leave ADOR, we’ll aim to proceed freely with the activities that we really desire,” said member Danielle, according to Reuters. During the conference, the singers made clear that while the decision leaves their future uncertain, they would like to continue as a group and hopefully work with Min Hee-Jin again. “We really wish to be able to release new music for Bunnies, next year, as soon as possible, whenever,” Danielle continued. “We really hope that we have the opportunity to meet you guys from all around the world.”

In a statement to Reuters, ADOR said NewJeans’ contract “remains in full effect…. Therefore, we respectfully request that the group continue its collaboration with ADOR on upcoming activities, as has been the practice to date.”

Back in September, NewJeans livestreamed an ultimatum to HYBE, requesting that the label reinstate ADOR’s CEO, Min Hee-jin, who had been in a public fight with the company. NewJeans has repeatedly made it clear that they refuse to continue with the agency without her, since she has been integral in the management and production of the group’s music. NewJeans were previously signed to a seven-year contract with ADOR, meant to expire in 2029.

ADOR sent a 22-page response to the group, who had set a deadline of Sept. 25 for the agency to reinstate Hee-jin. “ADOR has always sought reasonable solutions to problems whenever they arose,” the agency said. “Just because these efforts were not the specific kind the artists wanted or did not meet their expectations does not mean we violated the exclusive contracts.”  ADOR went on to say they “did everything [they] could.”