All 5 members of NewJeans have introduced their return to ADOR, drawing eager consideration to what lies forward for the group as they proceed with out Min Hee-jin, the artistic pressure who formed their debut, picture and sound.
Business observers say “NewJeans with out Min” will inevitably differ from the model that had dominated Ok-pop since 2022.
NewJeans rose to on the spot prominence underneath Min’s meticulous path, mixing retro, hip-hop and R&B influences right into a recent Ok-pop id. Past their hit singles, the group was broadly praised for the top quality of their B-side tracks.
Min spearheaded not solely music manufacturing but additionally choreography, trend and promotion, making her imaginative and prescient inseparable from NewJeans’ early id.
Her departure — and NewJeans’ return to ADOR — leaves many questioning how the group’s idea will shift. After Min stepped down, HYBE, the dad or mum group of ADOR, appointed Kim Joo-young, its former chief human sources officer, as ADOR’s CEO earlier than changing her with Lee Do-kyung, a former deputy head of HYBE’s IPX division. Most of Min’s artistic staff can also be anticipated to get replaced.
One doubtless candidate to imagine the producer position is Hitchhiker, a former SM Leisure musician who joined HYBE in 2023 and is now with ADOR.
Questions additionally stay about whether or not the group will proceed as a totally unified five-member act. Business officers say inner disagreements emerged throughout their contract dispute.
Based on studies, Hyein’s father, who opposed contract termination from the start, performed a task in persuading Haerin’s household, prompting the 2 members to barter with ADOR first, with out the opposite three members.
Ador introduced Hyein and Haerin’s return on Nov. 12, whereas Minji, Hanni and Danielle issued their return statements via authorized representatives with out prior detailed coordination with the company.
Their announcement got here simply at some point earlier than the deadline to enchantment the decrease court docket ruling.
Insiders warn that though the members seemingly returned because of the court docket choice, unresolved points and the dearth of a unified plan could gasoline future friction.
Amongst followers, divisive labels similar to “2-Denims” and “3-Denims” have already emerged, reflecting anxieties over the inner break up. ADOR stated it’s arranging particular person conferences with every member.
NewJeans members return to ADOR as questions develop over the group’s future. Courtesy of ADOR
In the meantime, the battle between Min Hee-jin and HYBE continues to forged an extended shadow over NewJeans, affecting the group’s relationship not solely with their label but additionally with fandoms and different woman teams underneath the HYBE umbrella.
On Thursday, Min, who lately launched her personal label OOAK, stated, “The members’ choice to return should have come after deep thought and dialogue, and I respect and help their selection.”
She added, “NewJeans should stay a bunch of 5 underneath any circumstances,” stressing that her authorized battle with HYBE is unrelated to the group.
Following information of the group’s return, HYBE’s inventory worth surged Thurday. Analysts predict that if NewJeans makes a comeback in late 2025, their actions may contribute round 6 to 7 billion received ($4.1-4.8 million) in working revenue in 2026, rising to at the very least 20 to 30 billion received yearly beginning in 2027.
Music critic Kim Do-heon famous that the group’s sound is sure to alter. “Regardless of who takes over, NewJeans will inevitably differ from what they had been earlier than,” he stated. “Whether or not higher or worse is one other query, however satisfying their current fan base is not going to be straightforward. The precedence now could be rebuilding belief.”
This text from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Occasions, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Occasions.
