All 5 members of NewJeans have introduced their return to Ador, drawing eager consideration to what lies forward for the group with out Min Hee-jin, the artistic power who formed their debut, picture and sound.
Business observers say “NewJeans with out Min” will inevitably differ from the model that dominated Ok-pop since 2022.
NewJeans rose to prompt prominence underneath Min’s meticulous course, mixing retro, hip-hop and even trot influences right into a contemporary Ok-pop id. Past their hit singles, the group was extensively praised for the prime quality of their B-side tracks.
Min spearheaded not solely music manufacturing but in addition choreography, style and promotion, making her imaginative and prescient inseparable from NewJeans’ early id.
Her departure leaves many questioning how the group’s idea will shift. After Min stepped down, HYBE, the mum or dad group of Ador, appointed Kim Joo-young, its former chief human sources officer, as Ador’s CEO final August earlier than changing her with Lee Do-kyung, a former deputy head of HYBE’s IPX division. Most of Min’s artistic staff can be anticipated to get replaced.
One seemingly 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 completely unified five-member act. Business officers say inside disagreements emerged throughout their contract dispute.
Based on experiences, Hyein’s father who opposed contract termination from the start, performed a job in persuading Haerin’s household, prompting the 2 members to barter with Ador first.
Ador introduced Hyein and Haerin’s return on Nov. 12, whereas Minji, Hanni and Danielle issued their return statements by way of authorized representatives with out prior detailed coordination with the company.
Their announcement got here simply someday earlier than the deadline to attraction the lower-court ruling.
Insiders warn that though the members returned as a result of court docket determination, unresolved points and the shortage of a unified plan might gasoline future friction.
Amongst followers, divisive labels resembling “2-Jins” and “3-Jins” have already emerged, reflecting anxieties over the inner break up. Ador mentioned 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 Ador and HYBE but in addition with fandoms and different lady teams underneath the HYBE umbrella.
On Thursday, Min, who not too long ago launched her personal label OOAK, mentioned, “The members’ determination 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 gained ($4.1-4.8 million)) in working revenue in 2026, rising to a minimum of 20 to 30 billion gained yearly beginning in 2027.
Music critic Kim Do-heon famous that the group’s sound is certain to vary. “Regardless of who takes over, NewJeans will inevitably differ from what they had been earlier than,” he mentioned. “Whether or not higher or worse is one other query, however satisfying their current fan base won’t be simple. The precedence now could be rebuilding belief.”
This text from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Instances, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Instances.
