After nearly a year of legal battles and emotional headlines, NewJeans have decided to return to HYBE’s ADOR. On November 12, 2025, Haerin and Hyein were confirmed to be the first two members to return to the company, with Yonhap News later confirming that Minji, Hanni, and Danielle would also be making a return, following “careful discussions.” It was also mentioned that one member’s stay in Antarctica delayed communication, but they assured fans that they plan to continue creating music.
“Hello, this is Minji, Hanni, and Danielle.
Recently, after careful discussion, we decided to return to ADOR. One of our members is currently in Antarctica, so communication has been delayed, and since ADOR has not yet responded, we were inevitably led to release this statement separately.
We will continue to greet you with sincere music and performances.
Thank you.”
This marks the end of one of K-pop’s most talked-about disputes. Back in November 2024, NewJeans announced contract termination after former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin was dismissed following major conflicts with HYBE. The group demanded her reinstatement, claiming ADOR had violated their contracts. ADOR denied the allegations and took the matter to court in December 2024, filing a lawsuit to confirm that the contracts were still valid. The agency even secured a provisional injunction to stop the members from launching independent activities after the group attempted to leave the company and rebrand as NJZ.
🚨All members of NewJeans have reportedly decided to return to ADOR.https://t.co/Nx17S7fJiw pic.twitter.com/vbyuKC3Deo
— Kpop Charts (@kchartsmaster) November 12, 2025
Following a year of courtroom battles, HYBE’s ADOR won both the injunction and the trials, with the South Korean courts recognizing the validity of the contracts that NewJeans wanted out of. According to the company, they were already planning a comeback for the group with a new album, submitting a list of new songs to the court. Following the agency’s legal victory at their most recent court verdict last month, NewJeans said through their lawyers that they were planning to appeal the court’s decision. However, the quintet has now announced their official return to the company.
