March 22, 2025 – The year 2024 left K-pop idol Hyein feeling one thing: confused. In just months, Hyein and her fellow NJZ (NewJeans) members went from being one of K-pop’s biggest-selling groups to renegades caught in a legal battle with their former label.
“Some people would conveniently switch their perspective, treating me as a kid when it suited them and then expecting me to act like an adult when it was more convenient for them,” said Hyein, 16, in an interview with TIME in early March.
In November 2024, Hyein, Minji, Danielle, Haerin, and Hanni unilaterally terminated their contract with ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE, citing unfair treatment and workplace harassment—claims ADOR has denied. The split cost HYBE nearly half a billion dollars in market value.
In February, NJZ announced their comeback under a new name, with a performance scheduled for March 23 at ComplexCon in Hong Kong. “We now have greater creative freedom,” said Haerin.
However, ADOR filed an injunction in January to block NJZ (NewJeans) from releasing music or performing without the label’s involvement.
The court sided with ADOR, but NJZ (NewJeans) vowed to challenge the decision. In an exclusive statement to TIME, the members said they were “disappointed” but determined:“Compared to everything we’ve been through so far, this is just another step in our journey. Maybe this is just the current reality in Korea. But that’s exactly why we believe change and growth are necessary.”
The case has highlighted deeper issues in K-pop, including grueling working conditions and idols being treated as products. Hanni testified at the National Assembly about harassment at HYBE, and the group accused the label of interfering with their activities and media coverage.
A separate court hearing on the validity of their contract with ADOR is set for April 3. If NJZ (NewJeans) loses, they could face penalties of up to 620 billion KRW (about $423.6 million). Despite the risks, the group remains optimistic.
“We want it to be like, BAM!, just in that moment,” Danielle said about their comeback. “Whether it changes the K-pop industry or not, we are really proud of ourselves,” added Hanni.
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