The five members of K-pop group NewJeans—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—are pushing back after a South Korean court barred them from conducting activities outside of their agency, HYBE’s subsidiary ADOR.
On April 16, the Seoul Central District Court reaffirmed its earlier decision to restrict the group from pursuing independent promotions under the fan-coined name NJZ, following a report by Yonhap News Agency. The court sided with ADOR, granting an injunction that prevents the members from engaging in solo activities, including signing advertising contracts, without the company’s involvement.
Despite the court’s stance, NewJeans briefly continued their efforts to operate as NJZ, even performing at the Hong Kong Complex Con—a show the members noted could be their final performance for the foreseeable future. In response to the ruling, the group also rebranded their social media profiles, switching from the NJZ label to a new handle using the initials of their names.
The legal dispute escalated following a short 10-minute hearing that concluded with the court standing by its original ruling, calling the injunction “just.” However, NewJeans is not backing down. Their legal team has confirmed the group will file an appeal with the Seoul High Court, aiming to challenge the injunction and bring further details to light through the legal process.
In the midst of the legal battle, the members reached out to their loyal fanbase to mark a major milestone—1,000 days since their debut. This celebration came via their updated social media accounts. Meanwhile, Minji and Hanni were recently spotted in Rome, reportedly seeking some privacy in a city where they hoped to go unrecognized.
As the legal conflict unfolds, fans and the K-pop world alike await the next chapter in the NewJeans story.
