In a heartfelt announcement made during their performance at ComplexCon Hong Kong, the five-member group, who have recently attempted to rebrand as NJZ, revealed their intention to take a break following a court ruling that prohibits them from organizing any appearances or releasing music while the dispute is ongoing.
The members, Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Heyin, performed their new track "Pit Stop" before addressing the audience about the difficult decision. They expressed gratitude to their fans, stating, "This stage means so much to us and every single one of you who gives us strength just by being here." They continued, “Out of respect for the court's decision, we've decided to pause all our activities for now.”
The challenge from NewJeans against Ador stems from allegations of mistreatment, with the members asserting that they will fight the court's decision. In their statement, they noted, “We believe this is something we need to do at this moment.” They emphasized the importance of defending their dignity, rights, and everything they value in their career.
The group's recent performance in Hong Kong was their first appearance since the court ruling. Performing as NJZ was seen as an act of defiance, despite warnings from Ador, which expressed regret over the group's decision to perform under a different name and reaffirmed their commitment to support NewJeans as stipulated in the contract.
The legal conflict between NewJeans and Ador has been brewing since August 2024, with allegations from the band suggesting the label undermined their career progress. Hanni openly claimed to have experienced workplace harassment while associated with Ador, intensifying the tension between the two parties.
In its ruling, the Seoul court found that NewJeans did not adequately demonstrate that Ador had failed to fulfill its contractual obligations, stating that the label had largely complied, including in matters of payment. This ruling imposes significant financial risks on NewJeans, as any attempt at rebranding without Ador's consent could lead to severe penalties.
Despite the challenges ahead, NewJeans, celebrated for their innovative blend of 1990s R&B and pop melodies, has quickly risen to fame, becoming the eighth biggest-selling act worldwide in 2023 and earning a nomination for best group at the MTV Awards last year.
The members, Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Heyin, performed their new track "Pit Stop" before addressing the audience about the difficult decision. They expressed gratitude to their fans, stating, "This stage means so much to us and every single one of you who gives us strength just by being here." They continued, “Out of respect for the court's decision, we've decided to pause all our activities for now.”
The challenge from NewJeans against Ador stems from allegations of mistreatment, with the members asserting that they will fight the court's decision. In their statement, they noted, “We believe this is something we need to do at this moment.” They emphasized the importance of defending their dignity, rights, and everything they value in their career.
The group's recent performance in Hong Kong was their first appearance since the court ruling. Performing as NJZ was seen as an act of defiance, despite warnings from Ador, which expressed regret over the group's decision to perform under a different name and reaffirmed their commitment to support NewJeans as stipulated in the contract.
The legal conflict between NewJeans and Ador has been brewing since August 2024, with allegations from the band suggesting the label undermined their career progress. Hanni openly claimed to have experienced workplace harassment while associated with Ador, intensifying the tension between the two parties.
In its ruling, the Seoul court found that NewJeans did not adequately demonstrate that Ador had failed to fulfill its contractual obligations, stating that the label had largely complied, including in matters of payment. This ruling imposes significant financial risks on NewJeans, as any attempt at rebranding without Ador's consent could lead to severe penalties.
Despite the challenges ahead, NewJeans, celebrated for their innovative blend of 1990s R&B and pop melodies, has quickly risen to fame, becoming the eighth biggest-selling act worldwide in 2023 and earning a nomination for best group at the MTV Awards last year.
