As of December 29, 2025, the Korean girl group New Jeans continued to face uncertainty after the termination of member Danielle’s exclusive contract with the group’s label, ADOR. NewJeans originally debuted as a five-member group consisting of Hanni, Hyein, Haerin, Minji, and Danielle, but recent legal developments have changed the group’s lineup and future.
ADOR released an official statement confirming that Danielle’s contract had been terminated explaining the decision in detail. “In Danielle’s case, we determined that it would be difficult to continue together as a NewJeans member and an ADOR artist, and today we notified her of the termination of her exclusive contract,” ADOR said.
ADOR also announced plans to pursue legal action against Danielle, her family, and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, alleging a breach of contract. According to reports, potential damages and penalties could reach up to $30 million. The agency cited disagreements with Danielle’s family regarding ADOR’s management as a contributing factor in its decision, and Danielle was also accused of violating undisclosed terms of her contract.
The dispute traces back to a lengthy battle that involved all five members and ADOR. In November 2024, NewJeans announced as a group that they were terminating their contracts with ADOR, leading to court proceedings that upheld the validity of the members’ exclusive contracts through 2029. Following the ruling, Hanni, Hyein, and Haerin chose to continue honoring their exclusive contracts with ADOR, and Minji remained in discussions with the company.
Danielle addressed fans about her departure in a livestream, expressing her efforts to remain part of the group. “I fought until the very end to be with the members,” Danielle said.
The termination of Danielle’s contract and the ongoing legal actions have drawn strong reactions from fans, who have expressed a range of opinions about ADOR’s decisions and the future of the group. While Danielle’s status with ADOR and NewJeans is now officially over, the situation remains fluid for Minji and the rest of the group. As legal proceedings continue, the long-term situation for NewJeans and its activities remains uncertain.
