Danielle is facing renewed scrutiny after her first public livestream since being notified of contract termination by ADOR, with some pointing to differing nuances between her Korean and English remarks.
On January 12th, Danielle opened a personal Instagram account and went live at 7 PM KST, marking her first direct outreach to fans amid an escalating legal dispute. Her legal team said the livestream was meant solely for fan communication and was “unrelated to the lawsuit.”
The broadcast quickly drew around 50,000 viewers. Visibly emotional, Danielle opened with, “Hi, Bunnies. I’m already tearing up,” and went on to say. “It’s been a very long time. Saying ‘thank you for waiting’ doesn’t feel like enough. You stayed right there. That warmth lasts for a long time.” She added that the experience had changed how she views family and the world, and spoke fondly of memories shared with fans on stage.
‘Dear Bunnies’ – Danielle LIVE (English Subs) pic.twitter.com/8JbyFcGBKz
— NewJeans Base (@NewJeans_Base) January 12, 2026
Though framed as a fan-focused session, Danielle referenced the ongoing situation. “Many things are still in the process of being sorted out,” she said, adding that she had taken time to reflect and learn. She also reaffirmed her bond with the group: “A part of my heart always belongs to NewJeans. Truly, to every member.”
The backlash centered on her language choice. While speaking mostly in Korean, Danielle switched to English when addressing legal matters: “When the time comes, I will tell you everything about the lawsuit,” she said. “I fought until the end to stay with the members. They are a part of me.”
Some viewers interpreted the language change as deliberate, fueling accusations of a “double standard” in tone depending on the audience. They noted that similar concerns had surfaced before, pointing to instances where NewJeans members publicly said they respected court decisions in their contract dispute with ADOR, while continuing independent activities. The group also previously faced backlash for an interview with Time magazine that some felt painted the K-pop industry in an overly negative light.
Danielle closed the livestream on a softer note. “Bunnies, this is not the end,” she said. “Whether through music, silence, or small moments, I want to speak honestly and beautifully, in the way I know how. I hope your days ahead are gentle, healthy, and filled with light. Thank you, always.”
Last month, ADOR announced it had notified Danielle of contract termination and planned to pursue penalties and damages.
>> Will MrBeast Help Danielle? YouTuber Responds Once More to Viral Campaign to Save NewJeans
Source (1)
