(ADOR’s response can be found below the live press conference video.)
NewJeans held an emergency press conference on Nov. 28th at 8:30pm KST, where they announced their desire to terminate their contract with ADOR after feeling their demands had in no way been met.
The press conference began with NewJeans members Minji, Hanni, Haerin, Hanni, and Danielle speaking to the press.
According to Jeong Bit of Sports Chosun, Minji spoke saying that with just a few hours before the deadline of midnight Nov. 29th they felt they received only tepid responses that were for show only. Minji said she felt they had showed no sincerity, and as they expect nothing to change in the remaining time before the deadline they will be terminating their contract with ADOR.
Minji further emphasized this through the press conference, responding to a reporter by saying “Because ADOR and HYBE have breached their contract, at midnight [NewJeans] will be terminating their contract with the company.”
Hyein stressed whether they can use their name or not, they will always be NewJeans, and they will fight for the name.
Danielle also emphasized too that they would fight for the name, and that regardless of the name “NewJeans never dies!”
Hanni, who had been at the center of one of the demands when she claimed to be disrespected by another group’s manager, spoke saying, ADOR kept having “Countless miscommunications, manipulations, and is fixated on only having thoughts of making money without any conscious. This is not the type of work ethic we respect or want to be apart of.”
Minji mentioned a desire to to proceed with all their scheduled activities if possible.
ADOR Official Statement
This is an announcement from ADOR.
We express regret over the planning and execution of a press conference to terminate the exclusive contract without thorough consideration or even awaiting our response to the content certification.
As a party to the exclusive contract, ADOR has not violated any terms. A unilateral claim of broken trust cannot serve as grounds for contract termination.
The exclusive contract between ADOR and the NewJeans members remains valid. Therefore, we kindly ask for your continued support for the group’s future activities under ADOR, as has been the case thus far.
We have made multiple requests to meet with the artists, but these meetings have not been successful. Even now, we sincerely hope they will open their hearts, meet with us, and engage in honest dialogue.
ADOR is committed to supporting the activities of NewJeans and will do our utmost to help them grow further as global artists.
(Source: Reporter Park Se-yeon ([email protected]))
Details about NewJeans:
NewJeans was formed under ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE, and debuted in 2022. The CEO at the time was Min Hee-jin, who herself was embroiled in controversy after infighting began between ADOR, HYBE, and Min. After fighting for her position as CEO, along with the support of NewJeans members, Min stood down from her role, a move that suggested to some NewJeans would themselves leave ADOR.
NewJeans is ADOR’s only active group at the company at present.