In their first interview since a South Korean court blocked their attempt to leave record label Ador, K-pop phenomenon NewJeans told the BBC they will continue to fight despite the setback. “This fight is necessary. Although it will be extremely difficult and arduous, we will keep doing what we have done so far and speak up,” said Haerin, one of the group’s five members.
The court ruling, which ordered NewJeans — made up of Haerin, Hanni, Minji, Danielle, and Hyein — to cease all “independent” activities while their case against Ador is ongoing, came as a “shock” to the group, who learned of the decision while rehearsing for a performance in Hong Kong. “Some people think that we’re famous enough to do whatever we want and say whatever we please. But the truth is, it’s not like that at all,” Hyein told the BBC. “We held it in for a long time, and only now have we finally spoken up about what we think, what we feel and the unfairness we’ve experienced.”
In a statement to the BBC, Ador maintained that the contract with NewJeans remains valid, suggesting that “most of their claims have risen from misunderstandings.” The court sided with Ador, stating that NewJeans did not “sufficiently prove” contract violations and that the label had fulfilled “most of its duties.” Despite the court order, NewJeans performed their new single “Pit Stop” under their rebranded name “NJZ” at their Hong Kong concert, which culminated in a tearful announcement of their hiatus.
Since their 2022 debut, NewJeans has achieved remarkable success, becoming the eighth biggest-selling act in the world within just a year. The group’s dispute with Ador intensified after Min Hee-jin, their mentor and Ador’s former CEO, engaged in a public feud with parent company HYBE, which culminated in Min’s departure from the label. As the legal battle continues, with hearings set to begin next week, NewJeans remains steadfast in their unity. “We’ve always said to each other, if one person doesn’t want to do it, then we’re not going to do it. It has to be all five of us that agrees to do it,” Hanni told the BBC.
While the length of their hiatus remains uncertain, with Ador expressing hope to meet with the group soon, NewJeans insists they don’t feel protected enough to return to the label. Despite the challenges ahead, the members remain determined, with Hanni affirming, “We’re gonna get through it.”
The row that rocked K-pop has drawn significant attention, highlighting the pressures faced by young artists in the industry. NewJeans alleged mistreatment, workplace harassment, and attempts to “undermine their careers,” which Ador denies. The company sued to enforce their seven-year contract, which is set to expire in 2029, and sought an injunction against any commercial activities by the group. On March 22, a South Korean court granted this injunction, ordering NewJeans to stop all “independent” activities while the case is still under way.
NewJeans has since challenged the injunction in court. Friday's ruling was a “shock,” the group told the BBC. Hyein emphasized that they have finally spoken up about their feelings and the unfairness they have experienced. The K-pop industry has repeatedly come under fire for the pressure it puts on its stars, not only to perform and succeed but to appear perfect. Rarely do conflicts spill into the public, exposing stars' grievances and rifts with their labels.
The girls were rehearsing for a performance in Hong Kong when news of the ruling dropped. Minji described her reaction when she received a worried message from her mother: “She asked me, 'are you okay?' And I was like 'what happened?'” The group was stunned. Danielle recalled, “At first I thought I didn't hear her properly. We were all kind of in shock.”
In the weeks leading up to the court ruling, the group had expressed excitement about releasing their new single, “Pit Stop,” their first since they announced their break from Ador and renamed themselves NJZ. They had even discussed coping with their difficult period, with Minji finding comfort in cooking, despite admitting, “I'm not really good at it but it's kind of healing.”
However, following the ruling, their mood shifted dramatically. Just 24 hours later, they seemed disheartened and unsettled, less sure of what was to come. Hanni, visibly emotional, said, “If we knew we were gonna go through this, maybe we would have chosen…” before trailing off. “Even if we do everything we can and it doesn't work out the way we hope it does, then we'll just have to leave it to time. I'm sure time would figure it out for us.”
During their Hong Kong concert, despite the court order, they performed “Pit Stop” but ended the evening with a tearful announcement of their hiatus. Hyein addressed the crowd, stating, “It wasn't an easy decision to make. But at the moment for us, it's about protecting ourselves, so that we can come back stronger.” The future of the young stars, aged between 16 and 20, now hangs in the balance.
In December, NewJeans took another rare step by supporting fans calling for the impeachment of South Korea's disgraced president, Yoon Suk Yeol, who had briefly imposed martial law. The group provided free food and drinks to fans who showed up at the huge protest rallies. However, their actions have drawn mixed reactions, with some netizens criticizing them for making reckless moves while others have praised their courage.
As the dispute drags on, critics have labeled the girls as troublemakers rather than game-changers. Following the ruling, which their critics welcomed, NewJeans stated they have been “very aware of the intense scrutiny and judgment” ever since they held that press conference last year. Minji remarked, “There hasn't been a single moment when we've expressed our opinions without worry or tension.”
Their lawsuit with Ador will return to the headlines next week when the hearings begin, and so will all five of them. The one constant is their determination to get through this together. Hanni reiterated, “We've always said to each other, if one person doesn't want to do it, then we're not going to do it. It has to be all five of us that agrees to do it. That's how we've gotten here and that's how we are going to get to the end.”
As the K-pop landscape continues to evolve, the fate of NewJeans hangs in the balance. Their story is a testament to the struggles faced by young artists in an industry fraught with challenges, and their journey is far from over.
