Despite announcing their return to ADOR after a year-long legal dispute, three members of the New Jeans – Minji, Hanni and Danielle – remain at odds with the label on key issues, particularly regarding their stance on Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR.
While Haerin and Hyein officially announced their return via ADOR on November 12, the other trio released their statement separately, via legal representatives, signaling a divergence in tone and coordination. The three said they had no choice but to announce their return independently due to the lack of response from the agency at the time. They reportedly contacted ADOR about an hour after the official announcement of the first two members’ return.
Although all five members now say they will return to the label, only two appear to have fully reconciled with ADOR. The agency confirmed that it is still “evaluating the intentions” behind the three’s statement, stressing that mutual agreements have yet to be established. This difference raises concerns about the internal alignment and sustainability of the group’s activities in the future.
Industry insiders suggest that the return is not a simple solution. One noted, “Return alone will not solve everything. If members later oppose ADOR’s production direction or refuse to cooperate, this will create further problems. ADOR is cautious about formally welcoming them without first aligning positions.”
Amid these tensions, rumors have surfaced that the three members are pushing for Min Hee-jin to return to a producing role. When questioned, ADOR refused to confirm, saying: “We cannot verify any details regarding the return conditions or the contents of the meeting.”
Such a scenario would be highly unlikely in the current circumstances. Although ADOR had previously expressed intent to retain Min Hee-jin’s producing role New Jeanscontractual period (until 2029), she rejected the offer after being stripped of her position as CEO. The court ultimately sided with ADOR in the legal dispute, and court-led reconciliation efforts failed.
If the trio is indeed calling for Min Hee-jin’s return, many argue that this contradicts the legal outcome and the company’s practical direction. Some speculate that their return was less a matter of reconciliation and more of a reluctant step after exhausting legal alternatives.
Furthermore, there are fears that reinstating Min Hee-jin in any role could undermine the position of the two members – Haerin and Hyein – who have already agreed to proceed with group activities in her absence. Reports suggest that both of them, along with their families, have explicitly committed to working with ADOR without Min Hee-jin’s involvement.
A return to Min Hee-jin’s production leadership could put pressure on these two members and create internal divisions within them New Jeans.
A K-pop member commented: “The news of New Jeans the return is positive for the industry. But without due process and clarity, this could lead to further complications. The longer negotiations with the three remain unresolved, the more negative public perception may grow – not just of the trio, but of the group as a whole.”
Like the future of New Jeans‘ the group’s businesses hang in the balance, fans and industry stakeholders await clearer resolutions between the trio and ADOR, and whether or not Min Hee-jin will remain part of the group’s creative trajectory.
Sources: Daum
