"Good that they are leaving" — Netizens share mixed reactions as NewJeans terminates their contract with ADOR

On November 28, 2024, Sports Kyunghyang reported that NewJeans held a press conference where they announced terminating their contracts with ADOR. They stated that their demands were not fulfilled within the deadline by HYBE and ADOR and hence, they would terminate the contract by November 29, 2024.

"The deadline for our corrective action request ended at noon today, but it appears that HYBE and its current agency Adore will not make any improvements or accept our demands."

For the unversed, on November 14, the rookie girl group sent a certified letter to HYBE and its subsidiary label, ADOR. They demanded reinstating Min Hee-jin as the CEO of ADOR, among other demands. The group gave a deadline till November 28, 2024, to fulfill their demands or else they would terminate their deal.

NewJeans member Minji said:

"We once again felt that HYBE’s indifferent attitude was exhausting and that they had no intention of accepting our demands. Since no corrective action has been taken, the five of us will terminate our exclusive contract as soon as the 29th."

Meanwhile, the K-pop community shared mixed reactions to the news. An X user wrote:

"It's very good that they are leaving, it wasn't difficult, they just had to break their contracts and pay the 600M of the contract clause and that's it , that's what they should have done from the beginning instead of making drama and bothering other groups."

During the press conference, the girl group also stated that they would fight to keep the group name "NewJeans" even after leaving the company. However, some netizens claimed that the name belonged to the label.

"What are they gonna do next?? are they gonna sign with any other company?" one fan wrote.

"Reclaim the right?? well pay for it then and the brand deals !! are they dumb omgg," another fan wrote.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, If you terminate the contract before its expiration, you need to pay the penalties mentioned in the contract which is agreed by parties concerned right?? How is haerin's statement correct?? Also, isn't the group's name owned by the company?" another fan noted.

Others supported the group's decision to exit the company, writing that they were "proud of them" and hoped that they "find better chances."

"I’m proud of them for standing up for what they believe in with such a hard decision. I hope they find better chances. Newjeans never die," one fan said.

"The name is not that crucial, no one can take away their talent and personalities," another fan commented.

"No one can take their talent and experience away from them. No matter what company they go to or what new group name they’d go by they’ll still have their talent and experience with them. May their fans continue to support and cheer for them. Fighting girls!" one other fan added.

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NewJeans reveal they will fight to reclaim their group name

On November 28, 2024, the rookie group from ADOR told in the press conference that HYBE and their label violated the shareholders' contract. They stated that they aren't worried about paying the penalty for terminating their group contract with the company in between their tenure.

Furthermore, the girl group said:

"We will not give up on the 'NewJeans name. we will continue to fight for our name. Regardless of our name, NewJeans will Never Die."

The conflict started in April 2024 when HYBE accused Min Hee-jin of conspiring to take over ADOR. She was later fired as the label's CEO in August 2024 and succeeded by Kim Joo-young. In September, the girl group held a YouTube livestream and demanded Min Hee-jin's reinstatement.

Min Hee-jin filed an injunction on September 12, 2024, to get re-appointed as ADOR's CEO. On November 6, 2024, the court rejected her appeal saying that HYBE did not violate her shareholders' contract or her exclusive contract as the label's CEO.

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On November 20, 2024, Min Hee-jin resigned from HYBE and ADOR.