All five members of NewJeans have announced their return to ADOR, drawing keen attention to what lies ahead for the group as they proceed without Min Hee-jin, the creative force who shaped their debut, image and sound.
Industry observers say “NewJeans without Min” will inevitably differ from the version that had dominated K-pop since 2022.
NewJeans rose to instant prominence under Min’s meticulous direction, blending retro, hip-hop and R&B influences into a fresh K-pop identity. Beyond their hit singles, the group was widely praised for the high quality of their B-side tracks.
Min spearheaded not only music production but also choreography, fashion and promotion, making her vision inseparable from NewJeans’ early identity.
Her departure — and NewJeans’ return to ADOR — leaves many questioning how the group’s concept will shift. After Min stepped down, HYBE, the parent group of ADOR, appointed Kim Joo-young, its former chief human resources officer, as ADOR’s CEO before replacing her with Lee Do-kyung, a former deputy head of HYBE’s IPX division. Most of Min’s creative team is also expected to be replaced.
One likely candidate to assume the producer role is Hitchhiker, a former SM Entertainment musician who joined HYBE in 2023 and is now with ADOR.
Questions also remain about whether the group will continue as a fully unified five-member act. Industry officials say internal disagreements emerged during their contract dispute.
According to reports, Hyein’s father, who opposed contract termination from the beginning, played a role in persuading Haerin’s family, prompting the two members to negotiate with ADOR first, without the other three members.
Ador announced Hyein and Haerin’s return on Nov. 12, while Minji, Hanni and Danielle issued their return statements through legal representatives without prior detailed coordination with the agency.
Their announcement came just one day before the deadline to appeal the lower court ruling.
Insiders warn that although the members seemingly returned due to the court decision, unresolved issues and the lack of a unified plan may fuel future friction.
Among fans, divisive labels such as “2-Jeans” and “3-Jeans” have already emerged, reflecting anxieties over the internal split. ADOR said it is arranging individual meetings with each member.
NewJeans members return to ADOR as questions grow over the group’s future. Courtesy of ADOR
Meanwhile, the conflict between Min Hee-jin and HYBE continues to cast a long shadow over NewJeans, affecting the group’s relationship not only with their label but also with fandoms and other girl groups under the HYBE umbrella.
On Thursday, Min, who recently launched her own label OOAK, said, “The members’ decision to return must have come after deep thought and discussion, and I respect and support their choice.”
She added, “NewJeans must remain a group of five under any circumstances,” stressing that her legal battle with HYBE is unrelated to the group.
Following news of the group’s return, HYBE’s stock price surged Thurday. Analysts predict that if NewJeans makes a comeback in late 2025, their activities could contribute around 6 to 7 billion won ($4.1-4.8 million) in operating profit in 2026, rising to at least 20 to 30 billion won annually starting in 2027.
Music critic Kim Do-heon noted that the group’s sound is bound to change. “No matter who takes over, NewJeans will inevitably differ from what they were before,” he said. “Whether better or worse is another question, but satisfying their existing fan base will not be easy. The priority now is rebuilding trust.”
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.