NewJeans appear to be moving to erase traces of former member Danielle and former agency CEO Min Hee Jin, prompting speculation that the group is effectively preparing for a four-member lineup.
On February 2, NewJeans’ official social media accounts across X, Facebook, and YouTube simultaneously changed their banner images. Instead of the group’s previous full member photo, the accounts now display the group’s logo. The profile image on X was also replaced with the group’s official light stick, “Binky Bong.”
Changes were also observed on Spotify. The artist description no longer lists the individual member names previously included, Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein. The name of former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, who produced the group, has also been removed.
In addition, signs of Danielle’s removal were spotted in the mobile rhythm game Rhythm Hive, operated by HYBE’s game subsidiary DreamAge. In the in-game NewJeans group image, Danielle appears to have been deleted. Elements related to her are also not visible in the game’s artist lineup and item selection screens. As a result, online users are speculating that NewJeans may be formally preparing to operate as a four-member group. Since November 2024, NewJeans have been involved in an exclusive contract dispute with ADOR. After losing a lawsuit late last year that sought confirmation of the validity of their exclusive contracts, all members expressed their intention to return to group activities.
However, only three members, Haerin, Hyein, and Hanni, have so far reached agreements with ADOR regarding their return. Minji is still in discussions with the agency, while Danielle was notified of the termination of her exclusive contract on December 29 and was removed from the team. ADOR has also filed lawsuits seeking penalties and damages against Danielle, one of her family members, and Min Hee Jin. The total amount claimed by ADOR is reportedly around 43.1 billion KRW (about 29.6 million USD). Danielle and the two others have appointed legal representatives and are preparing a counter-response.
Following her removal from the team, Danielle has opened both Korean and Chinese social media accounts, signaling possible moves toward independent activities. In a letter released on the 16th of last month, she wrote, “Now I want to set the past aside for a moment and truly focus on what is precious, our hearts, our dreams, and the warm days we will face ahead,” hinting at a path forward outside of NewJeans.
Meanwhile, Min Hee Jin recently held a press conference denying allegations of “tampering” involving NewJeans and made remarks targeting a member’s family. Her legal representative claimed, “The tampering allegations were a nationwide fraud orchestrated by the family of one NewJeans member and a specific business figure,” placing Min Hee Jin effectively at odds with the members. Once united in their dispute against ADOR, the members’ paths have now diverged. Haerin, Hyein, and Hanni have returned to ADOR, Danielle has been removed, and Min Hee Jin, often dubbed “NewJeans’ mom,” has also parted ways with the members.
With a full group reunion now seemingly off the table, ADOR appears to be proceeding with the removal of Danielle and Min Hee Jin’s presence from official channels. As Minji remains the only member whose status is undecided, industry attention is focused on whether she could ultimately join the others, solidifying NewJeans as a four-member group.
SHARE
