On March 4th, Sports Khan reported that NewJeans’ introduction to Apple Music has been completely overhauled. The current description now lists just four members, with Danielle removed. Previously, on March 2, NewJeans’ official banners on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and YouTube were changed from group photos with members to the group’s logo. The group’s information page on Spotify has also been updated, reducing the lineup from five to four members. (Photo: Osen)
According to Sports Khan, it appears that ADOR is taking strong steps to completely erase Danielle’s traces from the group. Recently, the company also announced that archived chat history involving Danielle on fan platform Phoning will be discontinued starting April 3. (Photo: Allure, iMBC)
ADOR previously notified Danielle of contract termination last December, citing liability for delayed business and departure issues. The company has also filed a damages lawsuit reportedly worth KRW 43.1 billion against both Danielle and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, who currently heads OOAK Records.
Although the platform cited “service reorganization” as the reason, industry observers interpret the move as a follow-up measure to remove Danielle’s presence from NewJeans’ story. Many see it as an extension of ADOR’s broader rebranding efforts, which began with the unveiling of a new brand identity, “All Doors One Room,” and what some describe as a systematic move away from Min Hee-jin’s legacy.
The rapid transition from legal expulsion to digital erasure appears aimed at stabilizing the group around its remaining members. However, the reaction from the fandom, known as Bunnies, is already mounting. Shortly after the warning was published, criticism flooded social media platform X, with some fans condemning the move as “cruel”, claiming that years of conversations and memories are being held hostage. Many are reportedly rushing to back up their chat history before the deletion deadline.
Concerns have also been raised about potential violations of consumer rights, as Phonening operates as a paid subscription service that allows fans to exchange private messages with members. Some subscribers criticized the failure to mention refunds or compensation, calling the unilateral cancellation of paid content misleading and unfair.
In January, Danielle addressed fans during a live stream, stating that this was “not the end, but the beginning,” signaling the possibility of a legal battle ahead. As ADOR continues to take strong measures, the K-pop industry is closely watching how the dispute and fans’ response will develop.
Sources: Daum
