NewJeans has confirmed their return to ADOR, while a past remark made by member Minji to a reporter during last year’s emergency press conference has resurfaced online, causing a major stir on the internet.NewJeans has confirmed their return to ADOR, while a past remark made by member Minji to a reporter during last year’s emergency press conference has resurfaced online, causing a major stir on the internet.
In November 2024, the members of NewJeans held a press conference announcing the termination of their exclusive contracts with ADOR, stating that the agency had breached the contract and failed to protect the members.
When a reporter criticized their contract termination without taking legal action, she responded: “We are terminating the contract because HYBE and ADOR violated it. Do you understand now?”
Recently, the same reporter published an article mentioning this incident. He wrote: “Did you really understand?” This was the sentence I heard from NewJeans’ Minji at the press conference on November 28, 2024. I did not expect that a year later, I would be saying the same thing from this side. He pointed out that contract termination is not something that can be done with an announcement alone; it requires precise legal procedures.
He added: “Although some may doubt the sincerity of Minji, Hanni, and Danielle, I want to believe what they wrote at the end of their statement: ‘We will continue to return with sincere music and performances.’ I truly mean that. Ever since last year’s emergency press conference, I had always hoped for a smooth return to their activities.”
So when the reporter heard Minji say, “Do you understand now?”, the first thought that came to his mind was: “Honestly, I didn’t understand, so is it really okay?” In addition, he felt sorry that Minji’s answer had recently become a “meme” invoked in every issue related to NewJeans. According to the reporter, there were no other feelings or intentions beyond that.
As expected, the dream of the five NewJeans members to “terminate the contract without a lawsuit” was an illusion, and they completely lost their case, with none of their claims being accepted—including requests for injunctions to maintain the agency’s status, prohibit ad contract signing, and confirm the invalidity of their exclusive contract.
In the end, a whole year was wasted, but somehow this loss became an opportunity—a “blessing in disguise.” They gained a legitimate reason to resume activities based on the court’s ruling, and they had done enough to maintain loyalty toward their former CEO Min Hee-jin.
The article emphasized the need to repay fans who supported and waited for them with authentic music and performances, which would also serve as a way to rebuild trust and move forward in their future activities.
It also mentioned that former CEO Min Hee-jin expressed her supportive stance toward NewJeans’ full-group comeback under ADOR, hinting that the launch of her new entertainment company marks a fresh start for her.
They added that what is needed now is honesty and authenticity, not a battle of wit and tension. The reporter stated: “From now on, it’s not about understanding. It’s about basic manners and decency.”
Netizens praised the reporter’s mature attitude, saying:
- “I feel like she still wouldn’t understand even if he wrote it like this.”
- “Minji was really immature, and the journalist wrote the article gracefully like an adult.”
- “I remember he was attacked and criticized for asking that question.”
- “If you watch the clip, you’ll see he had no bad intentions in his questions.”
- “These girls really lack basic manners.”
- “That last line… The reporter wrote such a good article. Everything this group has done since the controversy and lawsuits began has been so lacking in decency, as if the world revolves around them. They should at least start with basic respect and reflect on their actions.”
- “I don’t think she’ll understand.”
- “In a situation where they lost people’s sympathy, every journalist who still tries to support them becomes precious… So… has Minji understood things now? ^^”
- “The reporter wrote an excellent article.”
- “He’s an adult… and he’s right. Their actions so far have been disrespectful and lacking manners.”
- “He truly is an adult.”
What do you think?
