NewJeans Deletes 'NJZ' Account, Signals Return to ADOR After Year-Long Legal Battle
K-pop girl group NewJeans has deactivated the social media accounts created during their contract dispute with agency ADOR, marking the end of a turbulent chapter as all five members prepare to return to the label.
As of December 1, the Instagram account previously operated under the 'NJZ' name has been completely deactivated. The account, which the members used to communicate with fans during their legal separation from ADOR, served as their independent platform after announcing contract termination in November 2024.
Court Ruling Ends Independent Activities
The account deletion follows October's court ruling that definitively sided with ADOR in the contract validity lawsuit. The Seoul Central District Court determined that the members' exclusive contracts remain binding through 2029, rejecting NewJeans' claims that former CEO Min Hee-jin's dismissal constituted a contract breach.
The court ruled that removing Min from her CEO position "does not in itself mean that a managerial vacuum was created or that ADOR became incapable of fulfilling its contractual obligations." The decision also approved penalties of 1 billion won ($700,000) per member for any unauthorized entertainment activities.
NewJeans initially announced plans to appeal the October 30 ruling. However, all five members failed to file appeal documents by the November 13 midnight deadline, effectively finalizing the court's decision.
Members Announce Return in Stages
Haerin and Hyein were first to confirm their return on November 12, with ADOR officially announcing their decision after meetings with the members and their families. The agency stated the two members chose to "respect the court's ruling and adhere to their exclusive contract."
Hours later, Minji, Hanni, and Danielle released their own statement announcing their return through legal representatives. The three members explained their delayed announcement was due to one member being in Antarctica, adding that ADOR had not yet responded to their outreach.
ADOR has confirmed meetings are being scheduled with all five members to coordinate their return to group activities.
From 'NJZ' to NewJeans Again
The group had adopted 'NJZ' as their new identity in February after announcing contract termination. In March, they performed under this name at ComplexCon Hong Kong, debuting a new track "Pit Stop" before announcing a hiatus to respect court proceedings.
The Seoul Central District Court issued an injunction in March barring the members from pursuing independent activities without ADOR's approval. The group subsequently renamed their account to 'mhdhh_friends'-using their first name initials-in April before ultimately deactivating it entirely this month.
Min Hee-jin Establishes New Agency
Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, who was dismissed in August 2024 and resigned from the board in November, has moved forward independently. She registered a new entertainment company called OOAK Co., Ltd. in October, with business operations spanning artist management, music production, and event planning.
The company name stands for "only one always known," reflecting Min's creative vision. However, with NewJeans' return to ADOR now confirmed, any potential reunion between Min and the group she originally developed appears unlikely.
Full Group Comeback Expected
With the NJZ account deactivated and all members committed to returning, NewJeans appears positioned for a complete reunion under ADOR. The agency has previously stated that preparations for a new full-length album are complete and ready for the group's return.
The group, which debuted in 2022 under Min's creative direction, achieved remarkable success including five Billboard Hot 100 entries and a No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200 with their sophomore EP. Their return marks the end of a year-long hiatus resulting from the legal dispute.