HYBE Moves to Reactivate NewJeans After Contract Dispute and Member Exit
HYBE is moving to reactivate the K-pop group NewJeans following a protracted corporate dispute and a member's departure, signaling a resolution to a high-profile labor conflict that has tested the entertainment giant's corporate governance and market stability.
On July 21, HYBE imprint ADOR released promotional videos featuring the four remaining members of NewJeans to mark the group's fourth anniversary. The label stated that specific activity plans will be announced once discussions are finalized, ending a months-long hiatus that followed a bitter corporate and legal battle.
The reactivation of the group represents a critical move for HYBE to stabilize its portfolio and recapture market share in the highly competitive global music sector. NewJeans had become one of the company's most valuable intellectual properties before internal governance disputes disrupted their commercial momentum.
The group originally debuted in 2022 under the creative direction of Min-Hee Jin, a former SME Entertainment executive who became ADOR’s chief executive in 2021. Initial releases generated substantial commercial momentum, with the track "Hype Boy" setting a record for the longest-running Billboard Global 200 entry by a K-pop girl group.
By 2023, the artists expanded their international footprint, becoming the first K-pop girl group to perform at Lollapalooza and setting a Guinness World Record for reaching one billion Spotify streams. Their "Get Up" extended play, featuring the Erika de Casier co-written track "Super Shy", subsequently topped the Billboard 200.
This commercial trajectory was disrupted in 2024 when HYBE audited Jin over allegations she attempted to spin ADOR into an independent entity. Jin publicly countered by accusing HYBE of replicating the group's style for a rival act named ILLIT, leading to her removal and eventual resignation.
The corporate clash quickly evolved into a public labor dispute when all five members staged a livestream to allege workplace harassment and the leaking of private information. They demanded that HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk reinstate Jin by September 25, 2024.
During the broadcast, member Hanni stated, “We are not going to follow HYBE’s every order blindly,” adding that the conflict was hindering their work. She emphasized that the artists “should be treated much much better than how we are right now,” underscoring the labor grievances driving the standoff.
In February 2025, the artists attempted to circumvent their exclusive agreement by rebranding as NJZ during a CNN interview. However, a South Korean court blocked the maneuver, ruling the group failed to prove significant negligence by the label, and later mandated they honor their seven-year contract expiring in 2029.
Following the legal defeat, the artists declared a hiatus at a March 2025 ComplexCon event in Hong Kong. A resolution appeared imminent by November 2025 when the members agreed to honor the court's decision and reunite with ADOR.
Despite this reconciliation, the group's lineup was permanently altered when ADOR terminated Danielle’s contract late last year. The singer stated in a livestream that she “fought until the very end to be together with the members,” declaring the moment a new beginning.
The corporate fallout continues to generate ongoing legal liabilities, as ADOR filed a lawsuit against Danielle, a family member, and Jin. The label alleges they bear significant responsibility for causing the dispute and delaying the group's return to the market.
The newly released footage shows the remaining four members engaged in casual activities, offering few concrete details about their upcoming commercial strategy. With August approaching, HYBE faces immediate pressure to translate this legal resolution into tangible market performance and restore investor confidence.
