ADOR has removed all references to NewJeans (now performing as NJZ) from its official website, marking a sharp escalation in the high-profile dispute between the K-Pop girl group and its former label. The update comes less than a year after the departure of ADOR’s founding CEO and NewJeans’ creative lead, Min Hee-jin, whose exit in August 2024 sparked a legal and creative battle that has gripped the K-Pop industry.
The move appears tied to ADOR’s recent preliminary injunction, which temporarily halts the group’s activities under their new NJZ branding. This legal action is part of the wider HYBE–ADOR conflict, which began when HYBE’s board dismissed Min over allegations of attempting to seize control of the label. NewJeans, who had publicly called for Min’s reinstatement during a surprise livestream in September 2024, have been outspoken about their dissatisfaction with ADOR’s leadership since her removal.
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Tensions reached breaking point in November 2024 when NewJeans announced their departure from ADOR at an emergency press conference, citing contract violations and a toxic work environment. Members accused the company of mismanagement, discriminatory treatment, and prioritizing profits over artistic integrity. They also alleged that staff from another HYBE sub-label had acted unprofessionally toward them.
Since their debut in 2022, NewJeans have become one of K-Pop’s fastest-rising acts, topping the Billboard 200 with their EP Get Up and earning global acclaim for hits like “Ditto.” While the group insists they will “never give up the name NewJeans,” ADOR’s website update underscores the deepening rift and uncertainty over who will ultimately control the brand.
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