On November 13th, the group NewJeans sent a certified letter to their agency, Ador, warning that they would terminate their exclusive contracts if their demands were not met.
According to music industry sources, NewJeans members—Kim Minji, Hanni Pham, Marsh Danielle, Kang Haerin, and Lee Hyein—submitted the letter under their real names, requesting Ador to address “significant breaches” in their contracts within 14 days of receiving the letter. The specifics of these demands remain undisclosed.
However, the document shared by Yonhap News highlights a statement criticizing HYBE’s internal decision, allegedly mentioned in their “Music Industry Report,” which suggested that HYBE might “discard New [referring to NewJeans] and start anew.” NewJeans urged Ador to take necessary actions as their management company.
NewJeans also clarified that if Ador failed to address their demands, they would proceed with contract termination. The group added that recent rumors circulating about their families and relatives are unfounded and unrelated to NewJeans. They warned that they would take a firm stance against anyone spreading malicious rumors to defame them.
All five members reportedly signed the final page of this certified letter. The ongoing “Ador controversy,” which began when HYBE initiated an audit on former Ador CEO Min Hee Jin in April, now seems likely to escalate into a contractual dispute.
In September, NewJeans members requested Min’s reinstatement, which Ador declined. Last month, the Seoul Central District Court dismissed Min’s request to be reappointed as Ador CEO in her legal action against HYBE.