NewJeans Danielle Opens Up in Emotional Livestream: "I Fought Till the End"
Two weeks after ADOR terminated her contract, Danielle addressed fans directly for the first time in a tearful 10-minute broadcast on January 12.
The 20-year-old former NewJeans member went live at 7 p.m. KST on her new Instagram account @dazzibelle, drawing tens of thousands of viewers. Speaking in both Korean and English, she made it clear she didn't want to leave the group.
"I fought till the end to be with my fellow members," Danielle said, her voice breaking. "NewJeans is always in one corner of my heart. This is not the end but the beginning."
Late-Night Messages Kept Her Going
Danielle thanked fans-known as Bunnies-for their unwavering support during what she called a difficult period. She revealed she's been reading fan messages late at night for comfort.
"Saying 'thank you for waiting' isn't enough. Bunnies stayed right where they were," she said. "On late nights, I read your letters and messages."
The singer reflected on performing with NewJeans, particularly the moments before the music started when she'd lock eyes with fans in the crowd. "Those memories are what quietly hold me up now," she added.
Legal Battle Remains Unresolved
While avoiding specific details, Danielle acknowledged the ongoing lawsuit. "Right now, many situations are still in the process of being sorted out. That includes the lawsuit as well," she explained. "When the time comes, I will update you all about what's happening."
ADOR filed a 43.1 billion won ($29.7 million) damages suit against Danielle, a family member, and former CEO Min Hee-jin on December 31. The agency claims they violated her exclusive contract through unauthorized activities and harmed ADOR's reputation.
Her legal team at Law Firm Hwawoo confirmed the livestream wasn't connected to any legal proceedings.
What Happened Between Danielle and ADOR
ADOR announced Danielle's contract termination on December 29, stating it was "difficult to continue" working with her. This decision came after an October 30 court ruling that upheld all five NewJeans members' contracts through 2029.
The dispute started in 2024 when ADOR fired CEO Min Hee-jin, the creative force behind NewJeans. The members demanded her reinstatement and eventually declared they were leaving ADOR in November 2024, citing mistreatment.
After losing their court case, the other four members began returning to ADOR. Haerin and Hyein confirmed their return in November. Hanni decided to stay after discussions with the agency. Talks with Minji continue.
Danielle is the only member whose contract was actually terminated.
"I Want to Return the Love You Gave Me"
Despite everything, Danielle kept her tone hopeful. "Even if the members are in slightly different places, we share the same heart as one Bunnies," she said. "Though we'll be in different places from now on, I'll continue supporting them as one of the Bunnies."
She closed with a message to fans: "The love Bunnies gave me-I want to return it slowly, in my own way. I hope your days ahead are gentle, healthy, and filled with light. Thank you, always."
Her new Instagram account gained over 240,000 followers within hours. NewJeans debuted under ADOR in 2022 and quickly became global superstars, reaching 1 billion Spotify streams faster than any other Korean act.
