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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Hallyuwood devider Agency ADOR terminates contract of NewJeans member Danielle

Agency ADOR terminates contract of NewJeans member Danielle

Published Dec 29, 2025 01:02 pm
NewJeans (X / ADOR)
NewJeans (X / ADOR)

The return of K-pop girl group NewJeans as a five-member group has been dashed with the termination of Danielle’s exclusive contract. 

ADOR, the HYBE subsidiary and agency of NewJeans, announced on Dec. 29 that it had terminated the exclusive contract of Danielle while Hanni has returned to ADOR. 

Danielle, 20, a Korean-Australian, debuted in NewJeans in July 2022. 

NewJeans (X / ADOR)
NewJeans (X / ADOR)
NewJeans' Hanni (X / ADOR)
NewJeans' Hanni (X / ADOR)
NewJeans' Danielle (X / ADOR)
NewJeans' Danielle (X / ADOR)

This is the full text of ADOR’s statement provided to Manila Bulletin: 

“Notice Regarding NewJeans Members’ Return

“Following the final court ruling confirming the validity of the exclusive contracts, ADOR has held extensive discussions with Minji, Hanni, and Danielle, as well as the families of each member.

“Hanni and her family recently visited Korea and engaged in in-depth discussions with ADOR over an extended period of time. During this process, she took time to reflect on past events and to assess the situation with greater objectivity. Following these sincere discussions, Hanni decided to respect the court’s ruling and to continue her artistic activities with ADOR.

“Minji has also been engaged in ongoing discussions with ADOR, and the company is working toward furthering mutual understanding through continued dialogue.

“Regarding Danielle, ADOR has determined that it would no longer be feasible for her to continue as a member of NewJeans and as an artist under ADOR. Accordingly, the company has notified her today of the termination of her exclusive contract. In addition, ADOR plans to pursue legal action against one family member of Danielle and ADOR’s former President, Min Hee-jin, who bears significant responsibility for the circumstances that led to the recent dispute and for causing the breakaway of NewJeans, as well as the delay in their return.

“Through the course of these discussions, ADOR has come to understand that the members had been exposed to distorted and biased information over an extended period of time, leading to significant misunderstandings about the company and ultimately to the recent dispute. Both ADOR and the NewJeans members share the view that regaining the support and trust of fans and the public will require all parties to fully and finally resolve these misunderstandings based on accurate facts, even if this process takes some time. In addition, both parties have agreed to address the various controversies that arose during the course of the recent dispute and are currently discussing the appropriate timing and manner in which this will be done.

“ADOR will do its utmost to resolve this matter through mutual understanding and to ensure that NewJeans can return to their fans as soon as possible.”

Following the termination of Danielle’s contract, ADOR will file a lawsuit against her on Dec. 29. 

"We plan to file a lawsuit against Danielle for breach of contract and damages today," said ADOR, Korean media outlet SpoTV News reported. 

Contract validity 

In November 2024, NewJeans declared that they terminated their contract with ADOR. The declaration came following the ouster of ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin. The members also cited other issues with the company. 

Last Oct. 30, ADOR won its contract validity lawsuit against NewJeans.  

The 41st Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of ADOR, declaring that the 2022 exclusive contract of NewJeans’ Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein was valid. 

"The exclusive contract between ADOR and NewJeans that was signed in 2022 is valid. NewJeans will bear the legal costs,” the court ruled. 

In November last year, NewJeans declared that they terminated their exclusive contract with ADOR, claiming the agency violated the terms. 

ADOR filed a civil lawsuit in December last year “in which the company sought a declaration affirming the validity of its exclusive contracts with the NewJeans members.”

Following the court ruling, NewJeans members Haerin and Hyein announced in November they would return to ADOR to continue their activities. 

Minji, Hanni and Danielle also said they would return to ADOR.

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