In their first interview since a South Korean court blocked their attempt to leave record label Ador, K-pop phenomenon NewJeans told the BBC they will continue to fight despite the setback.
“This fight is necessary. Although it will be extremely difficult and arduous, we will keep doing what we have done so far and speak up,” said Haerin, one of the group’s five members.
The court ruling, which ordered NewJeans — made up of Haerin, Hanni, Minji, Danielle and Hyein — to cease all “independent” activities while their case against Ador is ongoing, came as a “shock” to the group, who learned of the decision while rehearsing for a performance in Hong Kong.
“Some people think that we’re famous enough to do whatever we want and say whatever we please. But the truth is, it’s not like that at all,” Hyein told the BBC. “We held it in for a long time, and only now have we finally spoken up about what we think, what we feel and the unfairness we’ve experienced.”
In a statement to the BBC, Ador maintained that the contract with NewJeans remains valid, suggesting that “most of their claims have risen from misunderstandings.” The court sided with Ador, stating that NewJeans did not “sufficiently prove” contract violations and that the label had fulfilled “most of its duties.”
Despite the court order, NewJeans performed their new single “Pit Stop” under their rebranded name “NJZ” at their Hong Kong concert, which culminated in a tearful announcement of their hiatus.
Since their 2022 debut, NewJeans has achieved remarkable success, becoming the eighth biggest-selling act in the world within just a year. The group’s dispute with Ador intensified after Min Hee-jin, their mentor and Ador’s former CEO, engaged in a public feud with parent company HYBE, which culminated in Min’s departure from the label.
As the legal battle continues, with hearings set to begin next week, NewJeans remains steadfast in their unity. “We’ve always said to each other, if one person doesn’t want to do it, then we’re not going to do it. It has to be all five of us that agrees to do it,” Hanni told the BBC.
While the length of their hiatus remains uncertain, with Ador expressing hope to meet with the group soon, NewJeans insists they don’t feel protected enough to return to the label. Despite the challenges ahead, the members remain determined, with Hanni affirming, “We’re gonna get through it.”
