NewJeans’ Instagram handle hints at the group’s new name — here’s the meaning behind it

On December 16th, New Jeans launched an Instagram account with the handle, @jeanzforfree. This was created in the midst of the group’s discord with their label ADOR.

In November, the quintet asked for their contract to be terminated, but the company insisted that they would still be their artists until the process was complete.

READ ALSO: Korea Music Content Association threatens to remove NewJeans from music charts, reveals demands on Min Hee Jin

This account should be theirs new hub for personal content, instead of the original NewJeans Instagram account created by their label, which still posts updates on the team’s official music programs and brand promotions.

As of this writing, the account has amassed 2.4 million followers, and members have been posting previously unseen photos and videos. In response, their Bunnies fans show enthusiastic support by sending hearts.

Looking at their new account, eagle-eyed fans noticed the important change which the group might be alluding to.

From NewJeans, which may be a pun for the term New Gen, the team used Jeanz, which may be a pun for the term Gen Z, according to one X account.

The members of NewJeans hail from the Gen Z era and also represent the generation with hits “Ditto”, “Hype Boy”, “Super Shy” and more.

This possible meaning is still in line with their original concept. Even if they are no longer NewJeans, they could still be trendy and new with the name Jeanz, another fan pointed out.

Aside from the above-mentioned meaning, another interpretation is that his Korean name could be Jin-Ji, which is the honorific of the term meal. This implies that they “ate it”, one user X further said.

RELATED ARTICLE: Korean Manufacturers Association Rebukes NewJeans for Contract Termination: “[It] It could set a very dangerous precedent.”