NewJeans addressed their fans, known as Bunnies, after serving a legal notice to their agency, ADOR, and reassured them amidst the uncertainty.
On November 13th, Hani posted on Phoning, the group’s platform, offering encouragement to fans preparing for Korea’s college entrance exam, while also sharing her own reflections on the contract dispute with ADOR.
She wrote, “In case you’re worried, don’t be! Think of it as each of us facing an important life milestone. It just so happens that our timing overlapped! Don’t worry about us and just focus on acing your exam.” Danielle added, “Bunnies! Especially those of you taking the exam! You might have been surprised by the news, but we’re fine, so don’t worry! Go take the exam you’ve been working so hard for tomorrow. Dress warmly and give it your best!”
According to industry sources, NewJeans—Minji, Hani, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—issued a certified letter to ADOR, a subsidiary under HYBE, on the 13th. However, an ADOR representative told Newsen, “We haven’t yet received the certified letter, so we cannot comment on it at this time.”
In the letter, NewJeans demanded that ADOR address “serious breaches of the exclusive contract” within 14 days from the date of receipt. The group highlighted a recent HYBE industry report, revealed during a National Assembly hearing, which used the phrase, “Just ditch the ‘NEW-I-LE’ (NewJeans, IVE, and LE SSERAFIM) and start fresh.” The group added, “If these demands are not met, we will proceed with terminating the exclusive contract.”
The HYBE industry report that came to light during the hearing was sent to HYBE’s leadership by a former Weverse Magazine editor over several years, regularly including disparaging remarks about artists from various agencies, which sent a shockwave throughout the K-pop industry.
NewJeans also called for clarity on who at HYBE made the decision to “ditch” them and which individuals engaged in any misconduct as a result of those instructions. They demanded “civil and criminal action” regarding any discovered breaches of duty or other illegal activities and further requested “a comprehensive report covering these findings, including disciplinary measures and reports from the hearing, to be shared with NewJeans.”
Other demands from NewJeans include an official apology from a manager who allegedly told staff to “ignore” Hani, the removal of any photos and videos of members posted without their consent, a review of any “bulk-selling” of albums that may have impacted NewJeans, and a resolution of the ongoing dispute with Shin Woo Seok of Dolphin Kidnappers, NewJeans’ music video director, which has left some completed works inaccessible.
The group also urged the return of Min Hee Jin to her previous role as ADOR’s CEO. Min stepped down as CEO on August 27th, following an investigation into allegations of breach of duty and other charges by HYBE in April. HYBE subsequently appointed Kim Joo Young, its chief human resources officer, as ADOR’s new CEO. A motion to reinstate Min Hee Jin in October was declined by the board.
NewJeans explained, “We want ADOR’s management and NewJeans’ production to return to Min Hee Jin, just like before. We miss the ADOR that made us happy and excited from the time of our exclusive contract signing through March 2024. We had been dreaming of new music, fresh performances, and creative activities with Min Hee Jin.” The members concluded, “If ADOR does not meet these demands, we will terminate our exclusive contract.”
This recent ultimatum from NewJeans toward ADOR has been anticipated since September. During a live broadcast on September 11th, the girls stated, “We just want ADOR back the way it was. We’re not asking them to change anything for us. We just want the ADOR where Min Hee Jin is CEO, managing both production and operations. We’re making this request because we want to get along with HYBE, not fight them.”
>> Did ILLIT Borrow Too Much From NewJeans? Their Pre-Debut Plans Spark Controversy
Source (1)
