In a dramatic turn of events, the K-pop group NJZ (formerly known as NewJeans) has publicly addressed their ongoing legal battle with their former agency, ADOR, revealing the emotional toll it has taken on them. During a recent interview with the BBC in Seoul, the members shared their experiences leading up to their decision to break away from the agency and the challenges they have faced since.
On March 22, 2025, just a day after a Seoul court granted ADOR an injunction that halted the members' independent activities, NJZ met with the BBC to discuss their new song, "Pit Stop," which they described as a reflection of their tumultuous journey over the past year. This meeting took place in a practice room before their performance at 'ComplexCon' in Hong Kong, where they announced their decision to suspend all activities in respect of the court's decision.
The court ruling, which came on March 21, granted ADOR the right to preserve its status as the group's legal management, effectively putting a pause on the members' efforts to continue their careers independently. This injunction has sparked significant public interest and debate, as it is uncommon for K-pop groups to break away from their agencies.
"We were really shocked. We had expressed how painful everything had been and clearly said we couldn’t work with them anymore. Hearing they were coming without discussing it with us felt like history repeating itself," one member recounted, referring to ADOR's plans to attend their performance despite the ongoing disputes.
Minji, another member of NJZ, emphasized the emotional hardships they have endured, stating, "We suffered a great deal emotionally. Going back to that company and facing all that again would be cruel." This sentiment was echoed by Danielle, who expressed a profound loss of trust in an agency that she felt had failed to protect them, saying, "We didn’t start this to gain sympathy. We just wanted to do what we love properly. But lies and misunderstandings keep getting in the way."
The group's struggle began last November when they announced their intention to terminate their exclusive contracts with ADOR, citing workplace mistreatment and a breakdown in trust. ADOR, however, rejected this termination, asserting that the contracts remained valid. This led to a series of legal disputes, with Hanni testifying during a National Assembly hearing in October about her experiences.
Reflecting on her decision to speak out, Hanni stated, "It could’ve been easily dismissed. But I was given a chance to speak up, and I didn’t think I should run or hide from it. This isn’t just about us. It’s about every employee deserving respect in their working environment." Despite her testimony, the Ministry of Employment and Labor concluded that she did not qualify as a "worker" under the Labor Standards Act, dismissing a fan-filed complaint about workplace bullying.
In court, ADOR presented CCTV footage and messages exchanged between Hanni and former CEO Min Hee Jin as evidence that no harassment occurred. Hanni countered this by claiming that ADOR selectively shared only portions of the footage that suited their narrative. "They distorted the meaning of my texts," she said, accusing the agency of constructing a self-serving story.
As the public debate intensified, some questioned whether the young members were being manipulated or trying to evade legal responsibility. Hanni firmly dismissed such claims in a BBC interview on March 12, stating, "People assume that we’re too young to decide for ourselves. But being young doesn’t mean we take things any less seriously or think less deeply." She emphasized that all five members were united in their decision-making process.
Minji acknowledged the fear that accompanied their bold stance, admitting, "Of course we were scared. From the moment we held the press conference, we knew judgments would come raining down on us. We’re fully aware of the responsibility that comes with every word and action." Hyein echoed this sentiment, stating, "This is about our lives. Of course we had to step up ourselves."
Despite the emotional toll of their legal battles and media scrutiny, the NJZ members conveyed a sense of resilience. Hyein described the past year as feeling like "shooting a documentary day by day," capturing the unpredictability of their situation. "You never know what’s going to happen tomorrow, so I’ve been living with the mindset of ‘just get through today,’" she said.
Danielle shared her initial struggle to remain silent, stating, "I kept everything in and just focused on practice, trying to ignore the situation so I could stand on stage for our fans. But looking back, that only made things harder." This experience taught her the importance of expressing emotions and gaining a broader perspective on life.
Hanni revealed her fears about the future, stating, "If I lose myself, everything will fall apart. But I haven’t lost who I am—because I have my members and my family beside me." The NJZ members have found strength in their unity, emphasizing that their decisions have been made through extensive discussions and collective agreement.
As they navigate these challenges, the group remains focused on their passion for music and their desire to create meaningful work. Danielle reiterated their commitment, saying, "We just want to keep working. We want to continue the work we love without being disturbed and without lies and misunderstandings."
On March 26, following the court's decision, an interview with NJZ was released by BBC Korea, where Danielle expressed her shock at the ruling, admitting, "I was obviously expecting the alternative results, so I think it was a moment where we were all just really kind of in shock." She emphasized that their main goal throughout this ordeal has been to continue working in the industry they love.
The NJZ saga highlights not only the complexities of the K-pop industry but also the personal struggles faced by its young artists. As they continue to fight for their autonomy and creative freedom, their story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of respect and transparency in the entertainment world.
