NewJeans to Return as 5-Member Group, Parting Ways with Min Hee-jin Who Establishes New Agency

NewJeans and Min Hee-jin have ultimately chosen different paths.

Following a nearly year-long conflict with their agency ADOR, the five members of NewJeans will be returning as a full group, while former CEO Min Hee-jin is embarking on an independent journey by establishing a new entertainment company.

After Haerin and Hyein announced their return to ADOR today (12th), Minji, Hanni, and Danielle also decided to return to the company. This confirms the full return of NewJeans and signals the normalization of their activities, marking their first appearance before fans in a year since their alleged unauthorized departure in November of last year.

This return follows a court ruling in October that upheld the validity of the exclusive contract between ADOR and NewJeans. The court stated, "There are circumstances suggesting former CEO Min Hee-jin contacted external investors to facilitate NewJeans' independence," siding with ADOR. As a result, Min Hee-jin stepped down as CEO, and NewJeans legally remains under ADOR's management.

The one-year hiatus of NewJeans sent shockwaves through the K-pop industry. The sudden internal dispute halted the activities of a group that had risen to global stardom with hits like ‘Hype Boy’, ‘ETA’, and ‘Super Shy’, creating a void not only for fans but also in the advertising and music markets. However, with the decision for a full group comeback, NewJeans is expected to get back on track.

Meanwhile, former CEO Min Hee-jin has opted for a fresh start. In late October, she established ‘ooak (One of A Kind)’ and took on the role of CEO for a new entertainment agency. Having completed the necessary business registrations, Min Hee-jin has signaled her return to her core profession.

NewJeans, once dubbed 'Min Hee-jin's idols,' have now returned to their agency, while Min Hee-jin has chosen to go solo. The 'NewJeans situation,' which has unfolded since last year, is poised to be recorded as an incident that highlighted the clash between a producer-centric system and the structure of large entertainment agencies within the K-pop industry.

NewJeans, returning after a year-long break, and Min Hee-jin, standing at a new starting line. Both entities, who began from the same point, are now charting their own courses, writing the next chapter of K-pop.

Fans are expressing joy over NewJeans' full group return, commenting things like "Finally, the full group, I'm in tears," and "It was worth waiting for a year." There are also supportive remarks for Min Hee-jin's independent endeavors, such as "Cheering for your new beginning," and "Excited to see what new group you'll introduce."