South Korean K-pop group NewJeans has made the difficult decision to suspend all upcoming activities following a ruling from a Seoul court that went against them in their ongoing dispute with their record label, Ador. This announcement came during their recent performance at ComplexCon Hong Kong, where they revealed that their show would be their "last performance for a little while" after unveiling their new song, "Pit Stop."
The court ruling, issued on Friday, restricts the group from organizing performances, releasing music, or signing advertising contracts while their legal conflict with Ador remains unresolved. NewJeans is striving to sever ties with the label, alleging mistreatment since disturbing changes were made in August 2024, when Hybe, the parent company of Ador, forced out their mentor, Min Hee-Jin. Following an ultimatum demanding her reinstatement and Hybe's subsequent refusal, the band went public with serious claims against the label, including accusations of career sabotage.
One member, Hanni, has publicly stated that she endured workplace harassment during her time at the label, adding to the group's frustrations. In a press conference held in November, NewJeans announced their departure intentions from Ador, asserting that Hybe and Ador had forfeited their right to represent the artists.
Though the court ruled that NewJeans did not adequately support their claims against Ador, stating the company largely fulfilled its contractual obligations, the decision has temporarily stunted the band's ability to transition to their new identity as NJZ without risking financial penalties for breaching their contract. The concert in Hong Kong marked their first public appearance since the court's decision.
During their performance, each of the five members—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Heyin—took turns sharing heartfelt letters with their fans both in English and Korean, emphasizing the importance of this moment and their connection with the audience. Hanni and Dani expressed, "It is really hard for us to say this, but this might be our last performance for a little while. Out of respect for the court's decision, we've decided to pause all our activities for now." They further conveyed that their choice would ensure their return would be even stronger.
Ador responded to the band's decision in a statement, expressing regret over their choice to perform under a different name and their unilateral announcement to suspend activities. They reiterated their commitment to supporting NewJeans as per their legal contract and expressed a desire to meet with the artists to explore future pathways. As one of K-pop's rising stars and the eighth biggest-selling act globally in 2023, the uncertainty shrouding NewJeans presents new challenges for both the band and their fans.
