NewJeans entered a new chapter of uncertainty this week after its label announced the dismissal of one member. On December 29, 2025, HYBE’s ADOR revealed it had terminated the contract of Danielle Marsh, known professionally as Danielle, intensifying a legal conflict that has surrounded the group for over a year. The label did not explain the reason behind the decision in detail, leaving fans with more questions than answers.
According to HYBE’s ADOR, members Haerin, Hyein, and Hanni will continue activities, while discussions are still ongoing with Minji. Neither Danielle nor Minji publicly commented as of December 30, and it remains unclear when or if NewJeans will reunite for future releases or performances. The situation has drawn widespread attention in South Korea, where the NewJeans members have faced backlash.
In contrast, the response to these legal issues has backed up the girl group, with different media outlets demanding a detailed response from HYBE’s ADOR after Danielle’s removal from the group. Ray Seoul, an expert on the KPop industry at Berklee College of Music in Boston said:
“This practice reflects the highly centralized nature of the K-pop system, in which agencies tightly control branding, messaging, and media access.”
The conflict dates back to 2024, when all five members attempted to terminate their contracts, citing workplace hostility and creative interference. In October, a South Korean court upheld the contracts’ validity, keeping NewJeans inside ADOR. Since then, Haerin and Hyein were confirmed to return to the group. It was then revealed that Hanni came back, too, and Minji was still in negotiations. Meanwhile, Danielle was officially removed from the group.