NewJeans returned to social media on July 21, 2026, by releasing five videos titled 2026 Summer of NewJeans, along with a new set of photos to celebrate their fourth anniversary as a group. The first four clips each focused on one member, featuring Minji, Hanni, Haerin, and Hyein, while the final video showed the four members chatting together outdoors at night as a train passed in the background. At the end of the video, the sound of a rabbit moving through nearby bushes caught their attention, reflecting on the group’s fandom name, Bunnies.
“The special film series was created from the members’ shared wish to celebrate their fourth anniversary together with fans. We hope Bunnies will enjoy these films as a heartfelt gift,” ADOR, the group’s company, shared.
While many fans welcomed the group’s first social media return after almost two years, discussions quickly shifted toward Danielle’s absence. Even though the videos reached about 1.4 million views on YouTube, many social media users focused on the recently removed fifth member rather than the celebrations. Danielle’s departure followed the termination of her contract in December 2025, making these videos the group’s first official activity without her. ADOR later stated that NewJeans’ future would be announced after discussions with the members were completed.
“The content was created to commemorate NewJeans’ fourth debut anniversary. Updates regarding the group’s future activities will be shared once discussions with the members have been concluded,” the agency revealed.
[#DANIELLE Live — 20260112]
🐶: Right now there are still things that are still being organised — and when the time comes i will update you all about what’s happening, about the lawsuit and about all the things you’re curious about.
🐶: I can say this with certainty, I fought… pic.twitter.com/MINc0sLxuH
— NJZNEWS🇰🇷 (@newjeansnews_) January 12, 2026
NewJeans’ fourth anniversary celebration comes following two years of legal battles against ADOR. The then-quintet announced plans to end their contracts with the agency during a press conference in November 2024, marking the first attempt to leave the company. After a South Korean court upheld the members’ exclusive contracts, the group returned to ADOR in November 2025. Danielle was later removed from the group and sued for $30 million in December 2025. Earlier this year, she said, “I fought until the very end to be together with the members.” She also expressed love for her group members, revealing that “in one corner of my heart, there’s always NewJeans.”
