The Rise and Fall of K-pop Group NewJeans
SEOUL — The vibrant and talented South Korean K-pop group NewJeans, now rebranded as NJZ, have been forced to hit pause on their music careers following a court ruling against them in their ongoing legal battle with their record label Ador.
The five-piece group made the announcement during a show at ComplexCon Hong Kong, where they performed their new song Pit Stop for the last time before going on hiatus.
The court ruling prohibits NewJeans from organizing their own events, producing music, or securing advertising deals while their dispute with Ador continues.
Accusing Ador of mistreatment, NewJeans are determined to sever ties with the label and have vowed to challenge the court’s decision.
Their appearance at the Hong Kong concert was their first public outing since the court ruling, where they emotionally addressed their fans in English and Korean.
“This stage holds immense significance for us and for all of you who support us,” members Hanni and Dani expressed. “Regrettably, this may be our final performance for a while. In compliance with the court’s ruling, we have decided to halt all activities for now.”
They added, “Although a tough choice, we believe it is necessary at this juncture to protect ourselves.”
Emphasizing the importance of standing up for their values, NewJeans declared their commitment to return stronger after this break.
Their statement concluded an electrifying hour-long set in front of over 11,000 fans at the AsiaWorld Expo Arena, Hong Kong’s premier live music venue.
Performing under their new moniker NJZ, the group appeared to defy the recent court order.
In response, Ador expressed disappointment in the group’s decision to perform under a different name and unilaterally suspend activities, reaffirming their commitment to supporting NewJeans as per their contractual obligations.
The feud between NewJeans and Ador, which began in August 2024, has seen the group publicly air grievances against the label, including claims of career sabotage and workplace harassment.
Despite the court ruling in favor of Ador, NewJeans must now navigate the challenges of rebranding under NJZ without breaching their contract and facing financial repercussions.
Renowned for their fusion of 1990s R&B and catchy pop tunes, NewJeans skyrocketed to global fame in 2023 and even earned a nomination for Best Group at the MTV Awards last year. Their sudden hiatus leaves fans eagerly awaiting their return to the spotlight. — BBC
