On January 12, Danielle’s legal representative, HwaWoo Law Firm, announced that Danielle had launched her Instagram and YouTube channels and would be hosting a live stream that evening to connect directly with fans. The company made it clear that the transmission was “purely to communicate with fans” and unrelated to the ongoing lawsuit with ADOR.
True to form, Danielle didn’t reveal any legal details during the stream but tearfully expressed her love for the NewJeans fandom, Bunnies. This marked the first time Danielle operated personal social media accounts, as all previous online activity during her NewJeans days was controlled by ADOR via platforms operated by the group.
Danielle’s launch on Instagram immediately attracted the attention of not only fans but also those who followed her account. Among those who showed support were actress Im Se-mi, former idol and producer Lee Hae-in and famous Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, who previously collaborated with NewJeans. The CEO of ComplexCon also followed her.
In particular, even the insiders of the main fashion and luxury brands have lined up behind Danielle. Representatives from Celine, Omega, YSL Beauty, Nike Korea, Bottega Veneta and Ami Paris were among its early supporters.
But what caused the most stir was the following of the official Instagram account of the Blue Dragon Film Awards. The account follows just 10 users, including major celebrities such as Kim Hye-soo, Lee Je-hoon, Han Ji-min and Yoona, as well as media entities such as KBS Entertainment, Sports Chosun and High Cut. Danielle is now one of them.
While there is no publicly known project linking Danielle to the Blue Dragon Film Awardsshe and NewJeans had previously performed at the 44th Blue Dragon ceremony in 2023.
Danielle is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with ADOR, which announced the termination of her contract and filed a massive lawsuit seeking approximately KRW 43.1 billion (approximately $32 million) in damages. ADOR said he found it impossible to continue working with Danielle as part of NewJeans.
Despite intense pressure and a high-profile legal battle, Danielle’s quiet reappearance online and unexpected support from fashion elites and Korea’s most prestigious film awards have sparked both public sympathy and curiosity. The next chapter of her career could be unfolding in real time, and all eyes are on what Danielle does next.
Sources: Daum
