NewJeans Celebrates 1000 Days Since Debut Amidst Ongoing Legal Battles

On April 16, 2025, the K-pop group NewJeans marked their 1000th day since debut by expressing gratitude to their fans. However, the celebration was overshadowed by ongoing legal disputes and a halt in their activities.

The members took to their newly created social media account to share a heartfelt message: "Bunnies~! It’s been 1000 days since we met! The past 1000 days with Bunnies have been filled with happiness!" Accompanying the message was a photo featuring sunflowers, which symbolize unwavering love, reflecting the group's affection for their fans.

Despite this milestone, NewJeans finds themselves in a challenging situation as all their activities have been suspended. On March 21, the Seoul Central District Court accepted a provisional injunction filed by Ador against the five members, which prohibited them from engaging in promotional activities. Consequently, the members announced their hiatus during a performance in Hong Kong.

At that time, they stated, "We have decided to respect the court's ruling and cease all activities. This was not an easy decision, but we are determined to gather our strength and move forward. Please understand that this is not the end. We will definitely return, and we want to meet you with bright smiles. Thank you so much, and we love you."

However, the announcement of their hiatus was made unilaterally, without prior consultation with Ador, leading to confusion as Ador staff assigned to assist with events reportedly did not meet with NewJeans. Additionally, the members quickly filed an objection to the court's decision, raising questions about the sincerity of their statement regarding respecting the ruling.

Recently, the first hearing for the exclusive contract lawsuit took place. Ador maintains that the contract signed in April 2022 remains valid, arguing that NewJeans did not provide sufficient grounds for their unilateral termination. Conversely, NewJeans claims that the trust between them and Ador was irreparably damaged following the dismissal of former CEO Min Hee-jin, making their contract termination valid.

Amidst these tensions, rumors surfaced about potential rifts among the parents of the members, particularly concerning the minor members, Hyein and Haerin. Speculation arose that one parent may have disagreed on exercising parental rights for the contract termination lawsuit. In response, the parents of NewJeans stated, "Reports claiming that there is a division among the members' parents are completely false. All five members are firmly united in their stance against returning to HYBE. Despite the current difficulties, the members frequently meet and maintain their strong friendship, and we, as parents, are also communicating more regularly to strengthen our bonds."

Meanwhile, while on hiatus, the members of NewJeans are pursuing individual schedules. Minji and Hanni recently traveled to Italy, while Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein visited a birthday café to meet with fans.