NewJeans Holds Emergency Press Conference Amid Contract Dispute

The K-pop group NewJeans is set to hold an emergency press conference on November 28 at 8:30 PM in a location in Gangnam, Seoul, to address issues related to their contract termination. This move is reminiscent of the previous emergency press conferences held by Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of their agency, ADOR.

The announcement of the press conference came just two and a half hours before it was scheduled to start, which is unusual, especially considering the timing coincides with rush hour in Seoul. The city is currently experiencing heavy snowfall, causing significant traffic delays.

Despite these challenges, the decision to hold the press conference suggests that the members of NewJeans are determined to assert their stance regarding the termination of their contract with ADOR. Only reporters and video journalists have been invited, indicating that the members' statements will be conveyed through live broadcasts and written articles.

Min Hee-jin, often referred to as the 'mother' of NewJeans, has previously held three emergency press conferences or live broadcasts since the group's debut in 2022. Initially, NewJeans and Min avoided media events like showcases and interviews, but following conflicts with their parent company, HYBE, they have increasingly engaged with the press.

The first emergency press conference took place in April, during which Min Hee-jin addressed allegations of a power struggle with HYBE, making headlines with her candid remarks. She followed this with another press conference in May after a court ruling confirmed her position as CEO of ADOR, where she sought a compromise with HYBE, appearing in a more conciliatory manner.

However, tensions between the two parties remained unresolved, leading to the members of NewJeans stepping forward in September to express their support for Min's return to ADOR during a live broadcast. This was the first time the members publicly addressed the ongoing conflict since it became known.

Now, with the upcoming press conference on November 28, the urgency surrounding NewJeans' situation has intensified. The mention of 'contract termination' in their announcement raises speculation that the members may follow Min Hee-jin in leaving ADOR.

On October 30, Min Hee-jin also resigned from her position as an internal director at ADOR. NewJeans members sent a formal letter to ADOR on November 13, demanding Min's reinstatement, an apology for inappropriate comments made about them in internal HYBE documents, and a response to a derogatory remark made by another label manager. They stated that if their demands were not met within two weeks, they would terminate their contracts. The deadline for a response is set for November 28, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold regarding the potential complexities of contract termination and associated penalties.