NewJeans’ Future Uncertain After Ador Terminates Danielle’s Contract
The future of NewJeans has been thrown back into uncertainty after Ador confirmed that it has terminated Danielle’s exclusive contract, even as negotiations continue with other members of the group.
In a statement released Monday, the Hybe subsidiary provided an update on its ongoing discussions with Minji, Hanni, and Danielle following months of legal disputes surrounding the group’s contracts. While talks with some members remain active, Ador said it has formally ended its relationship with Danielle, effectively removing her from the group’s current lineup.
According to the label, Hanni and her family recently traveled to South Korea to meet with company representatives and ultimately agreed to remain with Ador, citing respect for the court’s prior ruling. Minji, Ador said, is still in discussions, though no final agreement has been announced. Danielle, however, will no longer continue as an Ador artist.
“We determined it would be difficult to continue with Danielle as a NewJeans member and Ador artist and notified her today of the termination of the exclusive contract,” the company said. Ador also confirmed plans to pursue legal action against Danielle and former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin, whom the company claims bears “significant responsibility” for the dispute and for delays in the group’s return to activities. Min did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The update follows a June court ruling that required NewJeans to honor their contracts with Ador through 2029. At the time, members Hyein and Haerin agreed to continue activities under the label, while Minji, Hanni, and Danielle initially sought to appeal the decision and move forward independently under the name NJZ. In November, Ador announced that all five members had entered discussions about a possible return to the company.
In its statement, Ador said it believes prolonged exposure to “distorted and biased information” contributed to misunderstandings between the members and the company, ultimately escalating the conflict. The label emphasized that rebuilding trust with fans and the public would require addressing those issues directly, even if the process takes time.
“The company and the artists share the view that, to regain the love of fans and the public, it is necessary to fully resolve these misunderstandings based on accurate facts,” Ador said.
The termination of Danielle’s contract places the group’s long-term structure in question, particularly as negotiations with Minji remain unresolved. While Hyein, Haerin, and Hanni appear positioned to continue with Ador, the absence of one of the group’s five members could complicate any formal comeback.
Ador has not yet announced a timeline for NewJeans’ return to music or clarified whether the group would proceed as four members.
