All 5 members of woman group NewJeans have formally expressed their intention to return to Ador, the label with which they’ve been embroiled in a yearlong contract dispute. Although the members and their guardians met with Ador CEO Lee Do-kyung on Nov. 11, it has now been confirmed that Hanni didn’t attend because of being overseas.
Based on Star Information on Monday, Hanni was abroad on the time of the assembly and knowledgeable the company prematurely that she can be absent. The session lined preconditions and requests associated to the group’s return.
Following the information, business insiders now consider Hanni was the member described in earlier statements as being “in Antarctica,” a phrase that sparked rampant hypothesis amongst followers and on-line communities. Claims ranged from Danielle taking part in an Antarctic marathon to sightings of Hanni in Ushuaia, Argentina.
Ador is making ready to rearrange a person assembly with Hanni as quickly as she returns to Korea.
The company introduced on Nov. 12, at some point after the assembly with CEO Lee, that members Haerin and Hyein had formally expressed their intention to renew actions with Ador. “Each members, after cautious consideration with their households, agreed to respect the courtroom’s ruling and uphold their unique contracts with the label,” Ador stated.
Shortly afterward, Minji, Hanni and Danielle issued a joint assertion, by way of legislation agency Hanil, additionally declaring their return. “After thorough discussions, now we have determined to return to Ador,” they stated. “One member is at present in Antarctica, inflicting supply delays, and Ador has not but responded, which is why we’re saying this individually.”
However because the three acted earlier than reaching a remaining settlement with Ador, the company stated it was “verifying the intent” and “coordinating particular person assembly schedules.”
Anticipation over a full-group return stirred the music business, in addition to intense hypothesis about which member was in Antarctica.
NewJeans had declared their contract terminated in November 2024, citing Ador’s “nonfulfillment of obligations” and claiming that they had misplaced belief within the firm after the departure of former CEO Min Hee-jin and workers.
Ador countered the next month, submitting a lawsuit to substantiate the validity of the unique contracts and searching for an injunction to bar the members from unbiased actions till a verdict was reached. The courtroom granted the injunction in March 2025.
On Oct. 30, the Seoul Central District Court docket dominated in favor of Ador, stating, “The unique contract stays legitimate. The removing of former CEO Min doesn’t represent a breach, and the contract doesn’t stipulate that Min should stay on the helm.” With no attraction filed inside the authorized interval, the ruling has been finalized.
NewJeans, now formally on the trail to resuming actions with Ador, are anticipated to carry additional inner negotiations when Hanni returns to Korea and particular person conferences conclude.
This text is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Occasions.
