ADOR has confirmed that NewJeans is preparing for a full-album comeback after more than a year of legal turmoil, though uncertainty remains about whether all five members will participate.
The agency revealed that members Hanni, Haerin, and Hyein recently traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark, for pre-production work on new music. ADOR booked a recording studio in the Danish city from Apr. 13 to 16, according to leaked scheduling documents that surfaced online.
The label confirmed the trip was part of "pre-production in its new musical journey," though it stopped short of announcing an official comeback date, according to Complex.
NewJeans' Comeback After Legal Battles
Notably absent from the Copenhagen sessions was member Minji, raising questions about the group's future lineup. ADOR's statement emphasized that members are "preparing for new activities in line with their individual conditions and schedule," leaving fans uncertain whether the comeback will feature all five original members.
NewJeans and ADOR spent over a year locked in a contentious legal dispute that began when the group attempted to leave the label in November 2024, citing mistreatment and the departure of former CEO Min Hee-jin.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled in October 2025 that the group's contracts remain valid through 2029 and imposed penalties of 1 billion won ($700,000) per member for any unauthorized entertainment activities, the BBC reported.
Following their court defeat, all five members reportedly agreed to return to ADOR in November 2025 after failed attempts to rebrand as NJZ. The group had announced an indefinite hiatus earlier in 2025 after a court injunction blocked their independent activities.
Industry analysts predict NewJeans will release new music in the second half of 2026, with projected album sales around 900,000 units.
The comeback could generate 60-70 billion won in operating profit for ADOR, according to Meritz Securities estimates. During the legal proceedings, ADOR stated that preparations for a full-length album were already complete.
ADOR has promised to "officially share their future direction when the time is right," but has not yet confirmed the full lineup or release schedule, as per the Korea Times.
