Following a long dispute with K-pop girl group NewJeans, South Korean record label Ador has terminated its contract with Korean-Australian member Danielle.<\/p>\n
The announcement comes a month after Haerin, 19, Hyein, 17, Minji and Hanni, both 21, and Danielle, 20, decided to return to the Hybe subsidiary<\/a>.<\/p>\n In a press release on Monday (Dec 29), Ador said: “We decided that it would be difficult for Danielle to continue both as a member of NewJeans and an artist at Ador, and we have notified her that the contract has been terminated.”<\/p>\n The agency added that it will take legal measures against Danielle’s family and former CEO Min Hee-jin, claiming that both parties held “grave responsibility” not only in their conflict with NewJeans but also all of the members’ delayed return to Ador.\u00a0<\/p>\n “However, we agreed that we would need to take the chance to sort out all misunderstandings, even if it takes a long time, in order to fully restore the love from the fans and the public.”<\/p>\n Ador said they will explain the details of the conflict separately on another date.<\/p>\n Hanni to return, Minji still in talks<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the record label confirmed Vietnamese-Australian member Hanni’s return.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Hanni visited South Korea with her family and had a long and in-depth conversation with Ador. During this time, she reflected on past events and took the time to objectively view the situation. After a sincere conversation, she decided to respect the court’s ruling and remain with Ador,” said the agency.<\/p>\n Regarding Minji, Ador said they are still in talks: “We’re continuing discussions to broaden our mutual understanding.”<\/p>\n NewJeans’ strife with the agency began in April last year when Hybe announced it would audit Ador and its executives and send a notice for then-CEO Hee-jin to resign.<\/p>\n Hybe alleged that Hee-jin was planning to take full control of Ador. The 45-year-old, however, denied doing so and accused the conglomerate of undermining NewJeans’ success and copying the group’s concept for its new girl group Illit.<\/p>\n Hee-jin stepped down as CEO last August, and all five members of NewJeans demanded her reinstatement in a now-deleted livestream<\/a> where Danielle said that she saw Hybe as an “inhumane company”.<\/p>\n In November 2024, NewJeans held an abrupt press conference announcing the termination of their exclusive contract with Ador. The record label responded the following month, filing a lawsuit seeking confirmation of contract validity.<\/p>\n Ador also requested injunctions to prevent the members from pursuing independent activities or entering advertisement contracts without their consent until the conclusion of their main lawsuit.<\/p>\n