Nov. 16, 2025
If we dissects K-pop’s glittering yet treacherous underbelly during last decades, where contract wars shred groups like flimsy stage costumes, from EXO’s endless SM Entertainment tug-of-war to LOONA’s slow bleed under Blockberry Creative, these sagas leave fans sifting through the wreckage of shattered fantasies. But none have seized the industry—and tanked stocks—like the NewJeans-ADOR implosion. Now, with all five members announcing their return to the HYBE subsidiary, the echoes of Fifty Fifty’s 2023 meltdown aren’t just eerie; they’re a blaring alarm for idols daring to dream beyond the fine print.
NewJeans debuted in 2022 under ADOR—a Min Hee-jin HYBE offshoot—with Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein unleashing Y2K nostalgia via “Attention” and “Ditto.” They weren’t a group; they were a revolution, amassing billions of streams and redefining fourth-gen K-pop. Yet beneath the hazy filters lurked a tinderbox: Min’s plagiarism accusations against HYBE clashing with the conglomerate’s audits and loyalty probes. By November 2024, the group—briefly rebranded NJZ for independence—sued to void contracts, decrying a “complete trust breakdown.” What ensued was a year of courtrooms, pressers, and stan skirmishes that dwarfed the Min-HYBE feud.
October 30, 2025: The Seoul Central District Court crushes their bid, validating exclusive contracts through 2029 and barring Min’s reinstatement [Ref1]. Appeal deadline ticking like a bomb, ADOR announces Haerin and Hyein—the minors—will “respect the ruling” after family discussions [Ref2]. Hours later, Minji, Hanni, and Danielle declare via Yonhap: “After careful deliberation, we return to ADOR... One of us is in Antarctica, delaying contact” [Ref3]. All five home? ADOR responds cautiously: “Verifying authenticity” and scheduling individual meetings [Ref4].
HYBE shares spiked nearly 9% after-hours—reconciliation is the ultimate K-pop cash cow [Ref5].
Enter Fifty Fifty flashbacks. The 2023 underdogs rocketed to Billboard Hot 100 with “Cupid,” only to fracture months later when three members sued ATTRAKT. Keena stayed loyal; the other three were terminated in October 2023 and slapped with massive damages before being rebuilt around Keena and four new members [Ref6][Ref7]. The ex-members now perform as ablume—virtually invisible on the charts while ATTRAKT keeps the name and the momentum [Ref8].
NewJeans’ drama mirrors it beat for beat: Haerin and Hyein return under parental penalty pressure [Ref9], the older three issue a lawyer-vetted statement that reeks of reluctant surrender, and ADOR plays the exact “verify first, reintegrate later” card ATTRAKT perfected. Min Hee-jin’s November 13 farewell was graceful but pointed: “NewJeans must be protected as a complete group of five” [Ref10]—a subtle reminder that whatever comes next won’t carry her magic.
Optimists cling to the demo album ADOR submitted to court as proof of “good faith” [Ref11]. Skeptics know those tracks were made without Min or the 250/FRNK team that defined NewJeans’ sound. Hanni’s tearful BBC testimony on workplace bullying still hangs in the air [Ref12]; the trauma doesn’t vanish because a judge upheld a contract.
If the upcoming individual meetings sour, ADOR can simply terminate the three “rebels” the way ATTRAKT did—leaving Haerin and Hyein holding a trademark nobody wants in a two-member version. History says the company always wins.
Bunnies deserve better than this hollow homecoming. This isn’t a reunion; it’s Fifty Fifty 2.0 with higher stakes and hazier vibes. NewJeans clawed back from the brink. Now prove the system wrong—or become its most expensive cautionary tale.
[References]
Ref1. Court rules NewJeans must stay with Ador, upholding exclusive contract (https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10604878)
Ref2. (LEAD) Haerin, Hyein of NewJeans to return to ADOR: agency (https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251112009251320)
Ref3. (2nd LD) All 5 NewJeans members to return to ADOR after legal row (https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251112009253320)
Ref4. Three remaining NewJeans members to return to ADOR, ending year-long K-pop clash (https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-11-12/entertainment/kpop/Three-remaining-NewJeans-members-to-return-to-ADOR-ending-yearlong-Kpop-clash/2442958)
Ref5. HYBE shareholders cheer NewJeans return to ADOR···share price jumps 5% (https://www.khan.co.kr/article/202511131413457)
Ref6. ATTRAKT Terminates Exclusive Contracts With FIFTY FIFTY Members Saena, Sio, And Aran (https://www.soompi.com/article/1621433wpp/attrakt-terminates-exclusive-contracts-with-fifty-fifty-members-saena-sio-and-aran)
Ref7. ATTRAKT officially terminates their contract with FIFTY FIFTY’s Sio, Saena, and Aran (https://www.allkpop.com/article/2023/10/attrakt-officially-terminates-their-contract-with-fifty-fiftys-sio-saena-and-aran)
Ref8. All 5 NewJeans members to return to Ador (https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/k-pop/20251112/all-5-newjeans-members-to-return-to-ador)
Ref9. Father of NewJeans’ Hyein loses parental rights regarding girl group’s legal dispute with Ador (https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10463270)
Ref10. Min Hee Jin Releases Statement Regarding NewJeans’ Decision To Return To ADOR (https://www.soompi.com/article/1797555wpp/min-hee-jin-releases-statement-regarding-newjeans-decision-to-return-to-ador)
Ref11. Hybe label Ador completes track demos for NewJeans’ new album, submits to court as evidence (https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/hybe-label-ador-completes-track-demos-for-newjeans-new-album-submits-to-court-as-evidence)
Ref12. NewJeans singer Hanni gives tearful testimony on workplace harassment (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyeredgklko)