K-pop sensation NewJeans, known for their chart-topping hits and massive popularity, have announced they are parting ways with their agency, Ador, citing allegations of “mistreatment” and “manipulation.”
The five-member girl group, who rose to fame under the umbrella of Hybe’s subsidiary, made the announcement during a late-night press conference held on Thursday.
Despite the group’s public departure, Ador, the agency that manages NewJeans, has insisted that the group’s contract remains valid, as they claim no violations have occurred.
This conflict is just the latest chapter in a long-standing dispute between NewJeans’ former producer, Min Hee-Jin, and Hybe chairman Bang Si-hyuk. The tensions between the two have been widely covered in South Korean media. Hanni, one of NewJeans’ members, has claimed she experienced workplace harassment during her time with the company.
“This is not the kind of work culture we respect, nor one we want to be part of,” Hanni stated. “To continue under a company that fails to protect us would only harm our future.” She further accused Ador of mistreating not only the group but also their staff, citing “deliberate miscommunications and manipulation” in various areas of their work.
Ador, however, maintains that they have not breached the contract and has asked the group to continue working with the agency. “A unilateral claim of broken trust does not justify the termination of a contract,” Ador stated, expressing regret over the timing of the press conference and the lack of prior communication from NewJeans.
The group has also expressed their desire to work with Min Hee-Jin, the mastermind behind their formation, who left Ador in August following rumors she was planning to split from Hybe, potentially taking NewJeans with her. Min Hee-Jin, who has since denied the accusations, previously alleged that Hybe’s plans to launch another girl group, Illit, were an attempt to copy NewJeans’ style and music.
The tension escalated in November when NewJeans sent a legal notice to Ador, demanding that breaches in their exclusive contracts be resolved within two weeks. They have also requested an apology from an executive at Belift Lab, another Hybe subsidiary, for alleged workplace bullying. Additionally, they have called for Min’s reinstatement.
If their demands are not met, NewJeans warned they might be forced to discontinue using the band’s name once the contract ends. The girl group, who have been signed to a seven-year deal that runs until 2029, is now involved in a legal battle, as both sides disagree over whether the contract can be terminated early. The matter is expected to go to court, where a judge will determine whether the contract should be voided and whether any party owes damages.
In an ironic twist, the group’s contract includes a clause allowing for unilateral termination if one party is found to have violated its duties. However, NewJeans members maintain they have done nothing wrong and feel the fault lies with Hybe and Ador. “We’ve never broken any rules,” said Haerin, one of the group’s singers. “We tried our best. They’re the ones at fault.”
Despite the ongoing dispute, Ador remains hopeful that a resolution can be reached. “We respectfully request that the group continue their collaboration with Ador in the future,” the agency said. “We have made multiple requests to meet with the group but have been unsuccessful. We hope they will now engage in open dialogue.”
NewJeans has been at the center of a series of controversies over the past year, with accusations ranging from workplace harassment to emotional stress. In October, Hanni testified at South Korea’s National Assembly Labor Committee, describing how senior managers at Hybe deliberately ignored her and the group, leading her to believe the company had “turned against us.”
Despite the turmoil, NewJeans remains one of the biggest success stories in K-pop. Since their debut in 2022, they have become one of Hybe’s top-selling acts, alongside BTS, with popular hits like Super Shy and OMG. Last year, they were the eighth-best-selling music act globally and were nominated for Best Group at the MTV Awards. The group’s members—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—are between the ages of 16 and 20.
As the dispute continues, all eyes are on NewJeans and their next steps, as their fans eagerly await what comes next for the highly successful K-pop group.