NewJeans is possibly one of the most popular K-Pop groups of the decade, releasing hits such as "Super Shy" and "Attention," and even having their own collaboration with Coca-Cola since their debut in 2022. However, not everything has been all rainbows and sunshine for the girl group.
Image: theMEGASTUDY through Wikimedia Commons
Recently, NewJeans revealed they will now be going by NJZ ahead of ComplexCon Hong Kong 2025, which the group is coheadlining alongside Metro Boomin and Quavo. But why is this happening?
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In April 2024, former ADOR CEO Min Hee-Jin, also known as the "Mother of NewJeans," was asked to step down by parent company HYBE, starting a legal battle. HYBE accused Min, alongside other company executives, of trying to take over the company. In the months since then, the girl group has released their own statement on Youtube criticizing the label and calling for Min's return to the position.
However, HYBE itself wasn’t as innocent as they were making themselves out to be. Min pointed out that BELIFT LAB’s (another subsidiary of HYBE) newest girl group at the time ILLIT had been called out by fans online for striking similarities to NewJeans’ concept, choreography, and more.
Just a few days later, HYBE reported Min to police, accusing her of “a breach of trust.” The entertainment company also alleged that they had evidence of an attempt by Min to take control of ADOR.
“The evidence included detailed discussions that Min has ordered the ADOR management to find ways to pressure HYBE into ultimately selling ADOR’s shares, one of the audited parties submitted information assets to seize the management of ADOR and to attempt to contact external investors. The auditee also admitted to creating the documents to attack HYBE.”
If that wasn’t enough, a month later ILLIT’s label BELIFT LABS sued Min on account of alleged defamation, claiming that her allegations of plagiarism against the company has negatively affected members of ILLIT. “Members of ILLIT have been facing unjustified malicious attacks, ridicule, and slander” the company stated. Later, the company launched an additional lawsuit, this time specifically for “alleged defamation and slander against artists.”
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Post Comeback
Following their much anticipated comeback in May, as well as the additional lawsuit from BELIFT LABS, Min stepped down as ADOR CEO in August. Just two weeks later, the girl group has released their own statement on Youtube criticizing the label and calling for Min's return to the position.
Finally, an emergency press conference took place in November that same year, where NewJeans announced they would be departing from ADOR after the label had failed to comply with a legal notice filed by the group. The group also accused their label of workplace harrassment, mistreatment, and even manipulation.
"This is not the type of work ethic we respect and not one we want to be a part of, and to continue working under a company with no intention of protecting NewJeans would only do us harm" vocalist Hanni said.
The group also acknowledged that by terminating their contract with ADOR, there was a chance that they would not be able to use the NewJeans name in the future. "We will continue to fight for NewJeans. Regardless of our name, just remember that NewJeans never dies." member Danielle stated.
However, ADOR denied the claims made by the members of NewJeans, and by December had filed a lawsuit against them to try and enforce the validity of previous contracts they had made with the group after claiming they were still in effect. Despite this, NewJeans upheld their statements and their right to leave the label.
Image: TenAsian through Wikimedia Commons
Later that same month, NewJeans started a new Instagram account under the name @jeanzforfree. ADOR heavily objected to the creation of this account, saying that the launch of this account could cause legal issues for both the girl group and their former label.
By January 2025, ADOR had filed for a court order to try and legally prevent NewJeans from signing brand deals with companies. In an official statement, ADOR explained they had done this to "prevent confusion" among advertisers.
Still, NewJeans stood their ground. The band hired Korean law firm Shin & Kim LLC, who also represents Min Hee-Jin. On an Instagram Story, the group members wrote that the firm was "the most optimal choice" as they were "already aware of the wrongdoings and issues with HYBE and ADOR." The girls also further stated that they had no plans of returning to their former label.
Image: TV10 through Wikimedia Commons
What's Next?
Just as Hanni had mentioned, the group is no longer going by NewJeans. Instead, they will now be known as NJZ.
With the reveal of their new name, NJZ seems to be kicking off a whole new era. In the new promos, each member sports two braids and a pair of red contacts. Their new outfits also stray from anything they've been previously seen in; they're bolder and more experimental in comparision. When you take a look at photos of the band when they first debut as NewJeans in 2022, you can tell that they are definitely going to be taking a much different approach.
However, this has raised concerns amongst some fans in the K-pop community. Some believe that this new identity will raise even more problems between ADOR and NJZ, especially while many previous ones still have not been settled. Some fans however are simply not a fan of the new look, and prefer the "girl-next-door" aesthetic they started off with.
Nonetheless, it's no doubt that Hanni, Haerin, Minji, Hyein, and Danielle will all still be making great music regardless of what they're called as a group. Though it remains unclear whether NJZ plans to release new music anytime soon, their performance at Complex Con will be sure to stir up even more popularity and support for the group than ever before.
