ADOR have confirmed that NewJeans are preparing for a full-album comeback after more than a year of legal turmoil, although uncertainty remains over whether all five members will participate.
The agency revealed that members Hanni, Haerin and Hyein recently traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark for pre-production work on new music. ADOR has booked a recording studio in the Danish city from April 13 to 16, according to leaked scheduling documents that have surfaced online.
The label confirmed that the trip was part of “pre-production of her new musical journey,” though they stopped short of announcing an official return date, according to Complex.
The return of NewJeans after the legal battles
Noticeably absent from the Copenhagen sessions was member Minji, who raised doubts about the group’s future formation. ADOR’s statement emphasizes that the members are “preparing for new activities in line with their individual conditions and schedule,” leaving fans unsure whether the return will feature all five original members.
NewJeans and ADOR have spent more than a year embroiled in a contentious legal dispute that began when the group attempted to leave the label in November 2024, citing mistreatment and the departure of former CEO Min Hee-jin.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled in October 2025 that the group’s contracts will remain valid until 2029 and imposed fines of 1 billion won ($700,000) per member for any unauthorized entertainment activity, the BBC reported.
After the court defeat, all five members reportedly agreed to return to ADOR in November 2025 after failed attempts to rename NJZ. The group had announced an indefinite hiatus in early 2025, after a court injunction blocked their independent activities.
Industry analysts expect NewJeans to release new music in the second half of 2026, with album sales expected to be around 900,000 units.
The return could generate 60-70 billion won in operating profit for ADOR, according to estimates from Meritz Securities. During the legal proceedings, ADOR stated that preparations for a full album were already complete.
ADOR has promised to “officially share their future direction when the time is right,” but has not yet confirmed the full lineup or release schedule, according to the Korea Times.
