The situation surrounding NewJeans has reached a critical turning point. Today marks the day when Ador, the kpop group’s managing label, is expected to make a pivotal announcement. Fans and industry insiders are closely watching to see how NewJeans will respond to the unfolding events.
Table of Contents
Ador’s Initial Statement
On November 27, Ador issued its first official response to the notice of claim sent by NewJeans on November 13. In the statement, Ador expressed full support for Hanni’s assertion that she was the subject of a dismissive comment — “ignore her” — made by a manager from Belift Lab. Ador has demanded a sincere apology and a responsible attitude from Belift Lab regarding the incident.
Ador emphasized, “Hanni clearly remembers that, on May 27, 2024, a member of Belift Lab directed a statement at her that implied ‘ignore her’ or ‘just pass by.’ While the incident was brief, expecting Hanni to recall every detail to raise a concern imposes an unfair and overly harsh standard on the victim.”
This statement aligns with the actions requested by NewJeans in their official notice.
Why the Delay?
Ador had previously refrained from commenting when the controversial remark first surfaced, including during Hanni’s participation in a national audit. The label explained, “We maintained a cautious stance to avoid unnecessary controversies that could harm our artists due to disputes over the facts.”
However, Ador did not address several other issues raised by NewJeans in their notice, including allegations of downplaying the group’s achievements in HYBE’s music industry reports, the leak of pre-debut photos and videos, and disputes with the director of Dolphin Kidnappers.
Fan Reactions
Despite Ador’s recent statement, many fans remain skeptical. Critics argue that Ador took months to address the concerns raised by NewJeans, only issuing an official response after the notice was sent. Some believe this response was more about creating a record of action to demonstrate accountability, rather than genuinely protecting the group.
Adding to the tension, Hanni changed her status message to a neutral face emoji following the statement’s release, symbolizing dissatisfaction or emotional complexity. Earlier that morning, she had posted a cheerful note celebrating the season’s first snow.
The Missing Element: Min Hee-jin’s Return
One critical demand remains unaddressed: the reinstatement of Ador’s former CEO, Min Hee-jin. Min resigned from her position as an internal director at Ador on November 20, effectively leaving HYBE. Given the strained relationship between NewJeans and both HYBE and Ador, many speculate that the group may choose to follow Min’s lead.
What’s Next for NewJeans?
If NewJeans decides to terminate their exclusive contract, which still has approximately five years remaining, the potential penalty could reach up to 500 billion KRW (roughly $375 million USD). However, the amount may vary depending on where the fault lies in the breakdown of trust.
The next steps in this high-stakes saga will undoubtedly shape the future of both NewJeans and Ador. Fans and the industry await further developments with bated breath.
