Ador, the agency behind girl group NewJeans, announced Monday that it has terminated its exclusive contract with member Danielle.
The announcement marks a significant change in the ongoing controversy between NewJeans and their agency. In the official statement, Ador explained that he had determined that Danielle could no longer continue as a member of NewJeans or as an Ador artist, necessitating the termination. The agency also said it intends to take legal action against Danielle for breach of contract and seek damages.
Additionally, Ador announced plans to hold Danielle’s family member and former Ador CEO, Min Hee-jin, legally liable for their role in the original dispute.
“In Danielle’s case, we determined that it would be difficult for her to continue as a member of NewJeans and Ador artiste,” Ador he said in his statement.
Ador cited several reasons for terminating the contract, including Danielle signing conflicting contracts, engaging in independent entertainment businesses, and actions that damaged the reputation and credibility of both Ador and NewJeans. The agency noted that it had previously asked Danielle to address these issues by a specific deadline, but that she failed to meet it.
The cessation ends hopes for a full five-member return by NewJeans. Just a few weeks earlier, all five members had announced their intention to return to Ador following an October 30 court ruling confirming the validity of their exclusive contracts. That court decision appeared to resolve the months-long legal battle that began when NewJeans initially attempted to terminate the contracts in November 2024.
After the court ruling, the NewJeans members’ paths diverged significantly. Haerin and Hyein were the first to confirm their return to Ador in November. Hanni also confirmed her continued presence at the agency following recent discussions with Ador and his family. Minji remains in ongoing negotiations with Ador, with both sides described as working towards a better understanding of each other.
With Danielle’s departure, NewJeans is likely to continue as a four-member group. The exact timing and format for their return to activities remains unclear, as Ador said he will determine future directions only after sufficient discussions with the remaining members.
