Ador, the agency behind the girl group NewJeans, announced on Monday that it has terminated its exclusive contract with member Danielle.
The announcement marks a significant shift in the ongoing dispute between NewJeans and their agency. In the official statement, Ador explained that it determined Danielle could no longer continue as a member of NewJeans or as an Ador artist, making the termination necessary. The agency also stated that it plans to pursue legal action against Danielle for breach of contract and seek damages.
Additionally, Ador announced plans to hold Danielle's family member and former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin legally accountable for their roles in the original dispute.
"In Danielle's case, we determined it would be difficult for her to continue as a NewJeans member and Ador artiste," Ador said in its statement.
Read more: Girl Group NewJeans Officially Banned From 'Independent Activities' Following Court's Decision
Ador cited several reasons for the contract termination, including Danielle's signing of conflicting contracts, engagement in independent entertainment activities, and actions that damaged the reputation and credibility of both Ador and NewJeans. The agency noted that it had previously asked Danielle to address these issues by a specific deadline, but that she did not comply.
The termination ends hopes for a full five-member comeback of NewJeans. Just weeks earlier, all five members had announced their intention to return to Ador following an Oct. 30 court ruling that confirmed the validity of their exclusive contracts. That court decision had seemed to resolve the months-long legal battle that began when NewJeans initially tried to terminate their contracts in Nov. 2024.
Since the court ruling, the paths of NewJeans members have diverged significantly. Haerin and Hyein were the first to confirm their return to Ador in November. Hanni also confirmed her continued presence with the agency after recent discussions with Ador and her family. Minji remains in ongoing negotiations with Ador, with both sides described as working toward better mutual understanding.
With Danielle's departure, NewJeans is now likely to continue as a four-member group. The exact timeline and format for their return to activities remain unclear, as Ador has stated it will determine future directions only after sufficient discussions with the remaining members.
