A fresh wave of controversy has hit K-pop girl group NewJeans as rumors spread about member Danielle’s alleged involvement in an unapproved collaboration with U.S. R&B duo Emotional Oranges.
According to an industry insider with direct knowledge of the situation at ADOR, Danielle was never granted official clearance to participate in the rumored project. “The post did go up and was later deleted. It’s not fake news,” the source told The Korea Herald. “But this was not something approved by ADOR, if that’s what it is.” The agency itself has remained tight-lipped, refusing to issue a public statement.
The issue erupted on May 20, when Emotional Oranges briefly posted a photo to social media showing Danielle and group member Azad Right together in a recording studio. The caption read, “Just give us some time, guys. It’s coming,” alongside an orange emoji and a bunny emoji— the latter a clear reference to NewJeans’ fandom, known as Bunnies. The post was swiftly taken down, but not before it triggered a storm of speculation online.
Given the ongoing legal battle between NewJeans and ADOR, the timing of the post raised eyebrows. Since late 2024, the group has been embroiled in a contract dispute with their agency, leading to strict court-imposed restrictions on any independent activities. The court previously sided with ADOR through a provisional injunction, preventing the members from pursuing solo or group projects without agency consent until a final ruling is made.
With Danielle appearing in a studio session that may not have been authorized, questions are now surfacing about whether this action breached those legal boundaries. The photo’s deletion only added fuel to the fire, prompting further speculation about whether the collaboration was premature—or even illicit.
Fan reactions have been split. Some are thrilled by the possibility of an international team-up, while others are wary of the legal risks and the message it might send about artist-agency relations. “It’s exciting, but also concerning,” one fan posted on social media.
As of now, Danielle’s role in the alleged project remains unclear. ADOR has yet to confirm or deny whether she will face consequences for her appearance in the studio photo. The next hearing in the high-profile legal dispute is set for June 5, with the outcome expected to have significant implications for artist autonomy in the K-pop industry.
Until then, the situation remains tense, and all eyes are on both ADOR and Danielle as the story continues to unfold.
