NewJeans, which debuted as a five-member girl group, has effectively become a four-member act three-and-a-half years after its launch, with the possibility of shrinking to three members still open as Minji’s return to agency Ador remains unresolved. With the group’s long-anticipated comeback expected later this year, attention is now focused on how the reconfigured team will move forward.

All five members said late last year that they intended to return to Ador, bringing an end to their legal dispute with the agency. That marked a reversal about a year after they had moved to terminate their exclusive contracts in November 2024 and pursue independent activities.

Since their debut, NewJeans had produced a string of megahits including “Attention,” “Hype Boy,” “Super Shy,” “Bubble Gum” and “Ditto,” quickly rising to the top of the K-pop scene. But just over two years into their career, their contract dispute with Ador halted new releases, even though the group continued to appear at year-end awards shows and on various stages for a time.

The conflict eventually went to court, and judges sided with Ador on both the injunction the company filed and the lawsuit seeking confirmation of the contracts’ validity. After the first-instance ruling, the members initially opposed returning, but the situation shifted when Haerin and Hyein announced through Ador that they would resume their activities under the agency.

Ador said at the time, “The two members, together with their families, made a careful decision after thorough discussions with Ador to respect the court’s ruling and comply with their exclusive contracts,” adding that it would do its best to support their careers.

Attention then turned to the remaining three members — Danielle, Minji and Hanni — who later also expressed their intention to return. Unlike Haerin and Hyein, however, they did so without prior agreement with the agency. Ador said it was “verifying the sincerity of their intentions,” and remained cautious.

On Dec. 29, 2025, Ador confirmed Hanni’s return and said discussions with Minji were ongoing, but delivered a shock by announcing Danielle’s removal. The agency said, “We have determined that it is difficult to continue together with Danielle as a NewJeans member and Ador artist, and today notified her of the termination of her exclusive contract.” It added that legal action would be taken against one of Danielle’s family members and former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin, saying they bore major responsibility for the dispute and the delays in the group’s return.

With Danielle out, NewJeans now stands as a four-member group, though Minji’s status remains undecided, leaving open the possibility of a three-member lineup. Fans who have supported the group are still calling for Danielle’s return, but such a scenario appears unlikely, raising questions about how supporters of the original five-member formation will respond.

Beyond the lineup changes, the group also faces the challenge of regaining public trust. During the year-long legal battle, public sentiment toward NewJeans cooled significantly, and criticism has grown over what many see as unilateral moves by Danielle, Minji and Hanni both in leaving and attempting to return.

Ador acknowledged the uphill task. “We and the artists agree that restoring the love of fans and the public requires a process of fully clearing up misunderstandings based on accurate facts, even if it takes time.” The company added that it plans to address controversies from the dispute at a later date.

With Ador having previously said it had already completed preparations for a new full-length album, a comeback cannot be postponed indefinitely. As the remaining members’ situations are finalized, industry watchers are closely following the path NewJeans chooses as it navigates its most uncertain chapter yet. (Hankookilbo/The Korea Times)