2025-12-29
Forbes, Why Is Danielle Leaving NewJeans? A Complete Timeline Of ADOR Dispute And $30 Million Lawsuit
‼️ CORRECTION ‼️
In the [September 11, 2024: The Emergency Livestream] section of the relevant Forbes report, the following statement is not true:
“Hanni revealed: ‘They monitor our every move. We’ve found hidden cameras in practice rooms and had our phones accessed without permission.’”
Please check the correct details here.
Why Is Danielle Leaving NewJeans? A Complete Timeline Of ADOR Dispute And $30 Million Lawsuit
Author: Hannah Abraham
Published Dec 29, 2025, 07:52am EST
In a new turn of events, NewJeans member Danielle has been removed from the group after ADOR terminated her exclusive contract on December 29. On December 30, ADOR confirmed it would be suing Danielle’s family member as well as former CEO Min Hee-jin for the equivalent of $30 million, citing damages for alleged breach of contract.
These developments are the culmination of a nine-month dispute that fractured one of K-pop’s most successful acts and became one of the industry’s most public contract battles. Here’s everything that led to Danielle’s exit.
The Dispute Begins
April 22, 2024: HYBE Launches Surprise Audit
HYBE Corporation, home of BTS and also ADOR’s parent company, announced it was launching an audit of ADOR and accused CEO Min Hee-jin of attempting to seize control of the subsidiary label. HYBE claimed Min had plotted to gain full ownership of NewJeans and take the group independent.
Min Hee-jin denied all accusations and countered that she was being punished for complaining that HYBE’s other subsidiary label BELIFT LAB had allowed their new group ILLIT to copy NewJeans’ concept, styling, and choreography.
Min held a now-famous press conference where she tearfully denied planning a takeover. She accused HYBE of betraying her and said she only cared about protecting NewJeans. She claimed that “the cultural achievements of NewJeans are, ironically, being most seriously violated by HYBE.”
The press conference included Min using strong language and showing raw emotion, which was unusual for corporate disputes in Korea. She maintained that she had sent internal letters to HYBE demanding statements and corrective measures about the ILLIT similarities but was ignored.
April 2024: HYBE Reports Min to Police
Following the press conference, HYBE filed a police report against Min Hee-jin, escalating the corporate dispute into potential criminal territory.
Legal Battles
May 17, 2024: NewJeans Members Enter the Fight
All five NewJeans members filed their first legal plea supporting Min Hee-jin’s petition against HYBE’s attempt to remove her as CEO. This marked the first time the members publicly took sides in the corporate dispute.
May 30, 2024: Court Sides With Min (Temporarily)
A court granted an injunction stopping HYBE from firing Min Hee-jin as CEO during a shareholder meeting. This temporary victory allowed Min to keep her position as the legal battle continued.
May 2024: BELIFT LAB Files Lawsuit
BELIFT LAB, the HYBE subsidiary managing ILLIT, filed a lawsuit against Min Hee-jin for “obstruction of business and defamation.” The lawsuit slammed Min’s plagiarism allegations as false and noted that ILLIT members had faced “unjustified malicious attacks, ridicule, and slander” due to Min’s claims.
Danielle’s “Mom” Letter
In July 2024, as tensions escalated, Danielle wrote a handwritten letter to Min Hee-jin that would later prove significant. She called Min “Mom” and “a Warrior,” writing: “My beloved CEO… there is no one like you in this world. You are our protector and our family.”
This letter pointed to a deep emotional bond between Danielle and Min Hee-jin, foreshadowing Danielle’s loyalty that would contribute in part to her contract termination.
Min Hee-jin’s Removal
August 27, 2024: Min Hee-jin Loses CEO Position
HYBE’s board removed Min Hee-jin from her position as ADOR CEO, appointing Kim Joo-young, a human resources specialist, as the new head of the label. However, Min initially remained involved as NewJeans’ producer.
This removal became the central grievance for NewJeans members, who viewed her as essential to their artistic identity and success.
NewJeans Goes Public
September 2, 2024: Minji Breaks Silence
In her first public statement about the dispute on Phoning (an app exclusively for NewJeans fan communications), Minji said: “Nothing has been solved. I’m so sorry we’re dealing with this unnecessary trouble when we should be focusing on good things.”
September 11, 2024: The Emergency Livestream
NewJeans held a surprise YouTube livestream that drew widespread attention in the K-pop industry. The five members issued an ultimatum: Min Hee-jin must be reinstated as ADOR CEO by September 25, or else.
During the stream, members expressed distrust of HYBE’s management and detailed issues including:
- Workplace harassment
- Leaking of private information
- Deletion of previously released content
- Being told by another HYBE group’s manager to “ignore” them
Hanni revealed: “They monitor our every move. We’ve found hidden cameras in practice rooms and had our phones accessed without permission.”
The members directly addressed HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk with their demand for Min’s reinstatement.
HYBE’s Response:
According to TIME magazine, HYBE did not immediately respond to a request for comment following the livestream. Per the Korea Times, Belift Lab said that the situation was investigated after NewJeans’ parents raised concerns on June 13. The agency said it reviewed CCTV footage and conducted interviews with managers and artists, and said the claims were unsubstantiated.
“The two groups only encountered each other briefly on May 27, when they were in the same area for about five minutes at HYBE headquarters,” Belift Lab said. “The CCTV footage shows ILLIT members bowing at a 90-degree angle to NewJeans member Hanni as they exited the elevator.”
HYBE has been contacted for further comment on this livestream, and this section will be updated if they respond.
September 25, 2024: Deadline Passes
The September 25 deadline came and went with no action from HYBE. The request to reinstate Min Hee-jin was officially rejected by ADOR’s board, setting the stage for escalation.
Public Testimony and Legal Escalation
October 15, 2024: Hanni Testifies Before National Assembly
Member Hanni testified before South Korea’s National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee as a reference witness for an audit on workplace harassment and artist protection in the entertainment industry.
In an emotional testimony, Hanni described discrimination and harassment NewJeans faced at HYBE. She claimed that a manager from another HYBE group had told their artists to “ignore” her, which became a major flashpoint around idol treatment and workplace culture.
ADOR’s new CEO Kim Joo-young also testified and pledged cooperation with the investigation.
October 23, 2024: Min Hee-jin’s Second Press Conference
Min held another press conference escalating her conflict with HYBE. She accused the company of “dirty media play” and spreading false narratives. She directly criticized Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, alleging jealousy over ADOR’s success under her leadership and claiming her removal as CEO was unjustified.
October 29, 2024: Ultimatum Officially Rejected
ADOR’s board formally rejected NewJeans’ demand to reinstate Min Hee-jin as CEO, stating that the separation of management and production roles was a key principle.
The Breaking Point
November 13, 2024: Certification of Contents
NewJeans sent a “Certification of Contents” to ADOR, which is a formal legal warning under Korean law. The letter stated that if ADOR did not fix specific breaches of contract within 14 days, the group would terminate their contracts.
This followed a leaked internal HYBE document that allegedly suggested the company intended to “discard NewJeans.”
November 16, 2024: Ominous Award Speech
At the Korea Grand Music Awards, NewJeans won the Grand Artist Award. However, their acceptance speech raised concerns about the group’s future. They said: “We don’t know until when we will be NewJeans,” and urged fans to “stay united” with them regardless of what happened.
November 20, 2024: Labor Ministry Rejects Hanni’s Complaint
The Korean Labor Ministry dismissed the case stemming from Hanni’s National Assembly testimony. The ruling stated that K-pop idols are classified as “non-employees” under Korean law because their management contracts lack a subordinate employment relationship.
This meant idols are not entitled to labor protections under the Labor Standards Act, exposing the vulnerability of artists in the industry despite Hanni’s testimony.
November 20, 2024: Min Hee-jin Resigns
Min Hee-jin officially resigned from her position as ADOR’s internal director, completely severing ties with HYBE. In her resignation statement, she described the battle with HYBE as a “nightmarish dispute” and cited an ‘illegal’ audit as the start of her troubles.
HYBE has been contacted to comment on the legality of the audit.
She stated that continuing efforts to “restore” ADOR would be futile and bid farewell to her role with the company.
November 28, 2024: NewJeans Declares Contract Termination
In an emergency press conference, NewJeans announced they were unilaterally terminating their exclusive contracts with ADOR. The five members stood together and declared their intention to continue as NewJeans independently, arguing that ADOR had broken the basic trust required to work together. At the time, Danielle said, “We will no longer be ADOR artists but will continue fulfilling our remaining schedules and commitments, including advertisements. Our priority is not causing harm to others while pursuing the career we genuinely want.”
Key points from their statement:
- They believed the contracts were terminated due to ADOR’s breaches
- They intended to retain the “NewJeans” name
- They planned to continue activities independently
- They had fulfilled their obligations but ADOR had not
ADOR immediately responded that the contracts remained valid and that the members could not legally leave.
December 2024: ADOR Files Lawsuits
ADOR filed two legal actions:
- A lawsuit seeking judicial confirmation that the exclusive contracts were still valid
- An injunction to block NewJeans members from engaging in independent activities until the main case was resolved
The injunction sought to prevent the members from signing with third parties, promoting under different names, or conducting activities that would violate their ADOR contracts.
“NJZ” Rebrand Attempt
January 2025: Trademark Application
It was revealed that NewJeans members had applied for trademark rights to a new name: “NJZ.” The application showed they planned to restart their careers independently under this new brand to avoid copyright issues with the “NewJeans” name, which ADOR owns.
The rebrand was seen as the members’ strategy to continue performing while the legal battle over the “NewJeans” trademark continued.
Court Rules Against NewJeans
March 2025: Injunction Granted
The Seoul Central District Court granted ADOR’s injunction request, blocking NewJeans from conducting independent activities. The ruling stated the members could not:
- Promote under the name “NJZ” or any variation
- Sign contracts with third-party companies
- Engage in entertainment activities that violate their ADOR exclusive contracts
The injunction would remain in effect until the main lawsuit regarding contract validity was resolved.
March 21-23, 2025: ComplexCon Performance
Despite the injunction, NJZ made their debut performance under the new name at ComplexCon Hong Kong, a major music and fashion festival. This performance potentially violated the court order and likely contributed to ADOR’s subsequent legal actions against individual members.
Decisive Court Ruling
October 30, 2025: Court Validates Contracts
The Seoul Central District Court issued its ruling in ADOR’s contract validity lawsuit, handing the agency a complete victory. The court determined:
- On Contract Validity: “It is difficult to conclude that ADOR breached the exclusive contract solely on the grounds of Min Hee-jin’s dismissal.”
- On Min’s Actions: The court stated that Min Hee-jin’s public campaign against ADOR and HYBE “weren’t directly linked to the members’ interests,” rejecting the narrative that she was fighting to protect NewJeans.
- On Other Claims: The court dismissed NewJeans’ allegations about:
- Leaked trainee videos constituting a breach
- Alleged bullying comments by HYBE officials toward Hanni
- Any claim that ADOR had failed to fulfill its contractual obligations
- Financial Penalties: The court approved “indirect compulsory execution measures,” requiring each member to pay 1 billion won (approximately $699,000) to ADOR for each instance they engaged in entertainment activities without company approval.
- Contract Duration: The ruling confirmed all five members remain bound to ADOR until their contracts expire in 2029.
Per the Korea Herald, the court said, “It is difficult to conclude that ADOR breached the exclusive contract solely on the grounds of Min Hee-jin’s dismissal”.
“The fact that Min was removed from her position as CEO does not in itself mean that a managerial vacuum was created or that ADOR became incapable of fulfilling its contractual obligations,” the court added. “The members’ personal trust in Min alone does not establish that guaranteeing her CEO position was a fundamental obligation under the exclusive contract.”
Following the ruling, NewJeans announced through Sejong law firm that they would appeal the decision.
“The members respect the court’s judgment,” the firm said in a statement. “But given that the relationship of trust with ADOR has been completely destroyed, it is impossible for them to return and continue normal entertainment activities under the company.”
The Group Begins to Fracture
November 12, 2025: First Returns
Following the court ruling, ADOR announced that Haerin and Hyein had expressed their intention to return to the agency and continue activities with NewJeans.
Local reports suggested that Hyein’s father had been instrumental in this decision. He had reportedly opposed leaving ADOR so strongly that he entered a civil dispute with his wife over legal guardianship of their daughter, citing a need for “an environment where Hyein could focus on her career.”
November 2025: Three Members Signal Return
Minji, Danielle, and Hanni released a statement through their legal team indicating they also intended to return to public activities. However, the statement was vague about whether this meant returning to ADOR or attempting to continue independently.
“After thoughtful consideration with their respective families and thorough discussions with ADOR, [Haerin and Hyein] have decided to respect the court’s latest ruling and adhere to their exclusive contract with the label,” ADOR said in a press statement.
November 2025: Min Hee-jin’s Blessing
As the group’s fracture became evident, Min Hee-jin released a statement giving her blessing for the members’ return to ADOR:
“I can begin anew anywhere. But I believe that NewJeans must remain whole as five. I hope the members grow stronger and become an even better NewJeans, and above all, I wish happiness for all five members.”
The statement marked Min’s acceptance that her conflict with HYBE was separate from NewJeans’ future, and that the members needed to move forward with their careers.
The Final Split
December 2025: Extensive Discussions
ADOR revealed it had been conducting “extensive discussions” with Minji, Hanni, and Danielle, as well as their families, following the October court ruling. These conversations took place over several weeks and involved:
- Reflecting on past events
- Viewing the situation “objectively”
- Addressing what ADOR called “distorted and biased information” the members had received
- Working to resolve “misunderstandings about the company”
December 29, 2025: Hanni Returns
ADOR announced that Hanni had visited Korea with her family and engaged in “lengthy discussions” with the agency. After these conversations, Hanni decided to respect the court’s ruling and remain with ADOR.
The statement emphasized that Hanni and her family had taken time to “reflect on past events and assess the situation with greater objectivity,” suggesting a significant shift in how she viewed the dispute.
December 29, 2025: Minji Still In Talks
ADOR stated that Minji remains in ongoing discussions with the agency. The company said “talks with Minji are ongoing, but proceeding positively to expand the mutual understanding between the two parties,” but did not provide a timeline for resolution.
December 29, 2025: Danielle’s Contract Terminated
ADOR announced it had terminated Danielle’s exclusive contract, stating:
“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.”
December 29, 2025: Legal Action Announced
ADOR revealed plans to pursue legal action against:
- One family member of Danielle
- Former CEO Min Hee-jin
The agency stated both parties “bear significant responsibility for causing this dispute and for NewJeans’ departure and delayed return.”
ADOR filed a lawsuit against Danielle’s family member and Min Hee-jin on December 29 seeking “penalty fees and damages” for alleged breach of contract. On December 30, it was revealed that damages would be up to $30 million.
Why Danielle Specifically?
Based on ADOR’s public statements and the timeline of events, several factors appear to have contributed to the decision to terminate Danielle’s contract specifically:
1. Documented Loyalty to Min Hee-jin
Danielle’s July 2024 letter to Min calling her “Mom” and “our protector and our family” is the only such public expression of support from any NewJeans member during the dispute.
2. Family Stance
ADOR’s announcement that it plans to sue a member of Danielle’s family indicates a different family dynamic than with other members. This contrasts with Hyein’s situation, where her father’s position was documented in court records as supporting return to ADOR.
3. Alleged Contract Breaches
The agency has stated Danielle violated her exclusive agreement, though specifics of these alleged violations have not been detailed beyond ADOR’s general description of conflicting contracts and unauthorized activities.
The Current Status
As of December 29, 2025, the situation stands as follows:
- Haerin and Hyein: Confirmed returning to ADOR (announced November 2025)
- Hanni: Confirmed returning to ADOR (announced December 29, 2025)
- Minji: Still in discussions with ADOR, return status unclear
- Danielle: Contract terminated, removed from NewJeans, facing lawsuit from ADOR
- Min Hee-jin: Has started her own independent agency after fully separating from HYBE/ADOR
- NewJeans as a group: Future unclear, potentially continuing as a four-member group if Minji returns, otherwise three members
Legal Battles Continue
Multiple lawsuits remain ongoing:
- ADOR vs. Danielle: Seeking penalty fees and damages for breach of contract
- ADOR vs. Danielle’s family member: For role in causing the dispute
- ADOR vs. Min Hee-jin: For her role in causing the dispute and NewJeans’ departure
- HYBE vs. Min Hee-jin: Separate lawsuit over shareholder agreement termination
- Source Music vs. Min Hee-jin: 500 million won defamation lawsuit
- BELIFT LAB vs. Min Hee-jin: Defamation and business obstruction lawsuit
Industry Implications
The NewJeans-ADOR dispute has drawn attention to several structural issues in the K-pop industry.
Contract Enforcement: The October 2025 court ruling affirmed that exclusive contracts remain binding even when relationships deteriorate. Legal expert Bae Jin-sung Myoungjae law firm (quoted by The Korea Herald in November 2024) explained: “The legality of the termination (by NewJeans) due to alleged contract breaches would have to be determined by the court. However, given the nature of exclusive contracts, which are based on mutual trust, unilateral termination is possible.”
Labor Protections: The November 2024 ruling that K-pop idols are not classified as workers under Korean labor law means they lack protections under the Labor Standards Act. This classification affects how workplace harassment complaints are handled.
Historical Context: K-pop has seen similar contract disputes before, most notably in 2009 when three members of TVXQ sued SM Entertainment over what were termed “slave contracts,” leading to industry reforms. More recently, in 2023, three EXO members (Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin) lost their lawsuit against SM Entertainment seeking contract termination.
In their November 28, 2024 press conference, NewJeans member Minji stated: “It is courage that changes the world. Only people who have the will to change their lives get to. We know that our decision to protect all five of us will not come easy, but nothing gets better if you don’t stand up for yourself.”
The agency, on the other hand, maintains it is in the right. In its December 2024 lawsuit filing, ADOR stated its actions sought to “uphold the foundation of the K-pop industry” by confirming that exclusive contracts “cannot be lightly terminated based on one-sided claims.”
Writing for Notes on K-pop in November 2024, columnist Tamar Herman noted the tension: “This is against the business practice norms of K-pop as we currently know it, and if realized could see idols getting more of a say in the rules of engagement rather than upper management.”
Conclusion
Danielle joined the K-pop industry in 2020 as a trainee, and has since been credited as lyricist on five of NewJeans’ songs, including ‘Super Shy’ and ‘Attention’, which have a combined 1.3 billion streams on Spotify alone.
Danielle’s removal from NewJeans represents the first time in this dispute that ADOR terminated a contract rather than enforcing it through the courts. While the other four members either returned to ADOR or remained in negotiations, Danielle became the only member whose contract was ended by the agency.
The outcome reflects the complexity of artist-agency relationships in K-pop, where contracts signed by teenagers remain binding for years, and where courts have consistently upheld these agreements even when trust between parties has broken down. The dispute has also highlighted the limited labor protections available to K-pop idols under current Korean law.
Whether this case will lead to industry changes remains to be seen. What is clear is that NewJeans will continue without Danielle, either as a four-member or three-member group depending on Minji’s decision, while multiple lawsuits work their way through the courts.
Hannah Abraham has contacted HYBE for comment on NewJeans and the above timeline and will update the article with any responses.