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Hello Korea > Blog > K-POP > NewJeans: Danielle’s Contract Termination, Hanni’s Return Confirmed 💔
K-POP

NewJeans: Danielle’s Contract Termination, Hanni’s Return Confirmed 💔

Last updated: 2025-12-29 2:37 pm
Hello Korea Editor
6 Min Read
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K-Pop Quake: NewJeans’ Future Fractured – ADOR Terminates Danielle’s Contract, Hanni Stays! 🚨💔

Hello Korea Fam, Alex Kim here, diving deep into the latest K-Pop industry seismic shift that’s sending ripples across the digital landscape. Today’s news isn’t just a headline; it’s a stark reminder of the complex, high-stakes ecosystem governing our beloved idols. **ADOR** has just dropped a bombshell announcement regarding the future of **NewJeans**, a decision that redefines the group’s trajectory and sparks critical discussions about artist-agency dynamics.

Girl group NewJeans’ Hanni performs brilliantly at the ‘9th Asia Artist Awards (AAA 2024)’ in Bangkok, Thailand on the afternoon of December 27. NewJeans earned the Daesang ‘AAA Singer of the Year’ as well as ‘Best Artist’ and ‘Best Performance’ at ‘AAA 2024,’ winning the Daesang for the third consecutive year and taking home three trophies. /Photo=Kim Chang-hyun chmt@

In an official statement released on **December 29**, **ADOR** confirmed a pivotal development: **Hanni** will continue her journey with the agency. This decision comes after extensive, “sincere conversations” between **ADOR**, **Minji, Hanni, Danielle**, and their respective families, following the final ruling on the contract validity lawsuit. **Hanni**, respecting the court’s judgment, has chosen to remain with **ADOR**, signaling a crucial step towards stabilizing her career path within the existing framework.

However, the narrative takes a sharp turn for another member. While **Minji** is reportedly still engaged in ongoing discussions with **ADOR** to foster mutual understanding, the agency has declared a definitive separation with **Danielle**.
Here’s a snapshot of the current situation:

  • **Hanni**: Has formally agreed to continue her activities with **ADOR**, respecting the court’s previous ruling. ✅
  • **Minji**: Discussions with **ADOR** are still active and ongoing, aiming for continued collaboration. 🤝
  • **Danielle**: **ADOR** has assessed her continuation as both a **NewJeans** member and an **ADOR** artist to be untenable, leading to the **immediate termination of her exclusive contract**. 🚫

This isn’t merely a parting of ways; **ADOR** has also announced its intention to pursue legal action against “one individual from **Danielle’s family**” and **former CEO Min Hee-jin**. The agency attributes “significant responsibility” to these parties for instigating the dispute, the members’ initial departure from **NewJeans**, and the subsequent delays in their return. This move suggests a strategic hardline stance, setting a potential precedent for how K-Pop agencies might address internal conflicts and perceived breaches of contract in the future.

Alex Kim’s Insight: “This development underscores the precarious balance within the K-Pop idol industry. While the legal framework provides a safety net for agencies, the human element – artist aspirations, family involvement, and the volatile nature of information dissemination – remains a critical variable. For **ADOR**, this is a strategic recalibration, aiming to reassert control and clarity. However, the digital age dictates that public perception and fan sentiment, amplified by social media algorithms, are just as crucial as legal victories. The long-term impact on **NewJeans**’ brand equity and future fan engagement will be a fascinating case study in crisis management and artistic resilience.”

**ADOR** further elaborated on the dispute, stating that through their conversations, they realized the members had been exposed to “long-term, continuously distorted and biased information,” leading to significant misunderstandings and the eventual conflict. Both the agency and the artists have agreed that restoring trust with fans and the public requires a complete resolution of these misunderstandings, based on accurate facts, even if it takes time. They also plan to address the various controversies that arose during the dispute at a later, mutually agreed-upon time and manner.

NewJeans’ Danielle and Minji leave the Seoul District Court after concluding their argument in a lawsuit to confirm the validity of their exclusive contract on August 14. /2025.08.14 /Photo=Kim Hwi-sun hwijpg@

The history behind this dramatic turning point dates back to **November 2024**, when **NewJeans** initially declared their intention to terminate their contracts, citing **ADOR’s** alleged failure to fulfill obligations. Following a legal battle, the courts sided with **ADOR** in **October [2024]**, upholding the validity of the exclusive contracts. Subsequently, **Haerin** and **Hyein** conveyed their intentions to return to **ADOR** last month. Interestingly, **Minji, Hanni, and Danielle** also released a separate statement via law firm Hanil, expressing their desire to return after “careful discussions,” noting that communication had been delayed as one member was in Antarctica. This independent announcement prompted a cautious response from **ADOR**, who stated they were “verifying their true intentions” and “coordinating individual meeting schedules.”

This series of events paints a complex picture of negotiations, legal battles, and shifting allegiances within the K-Pop industry. As **ADOR** strives to “smoothly conclude the matter and ensure **NewJeans** can return to their fans as soon as possible,” the K-Pop world watches with bated breath. The landscape of **NewJeans** has irrevocably changed, and how this impacts their future sound, concepts, and global reach will be the ultimate test of resilience for both the remaining members and the agency.

Editor: Alex Kim 💻

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