NewJeans Truck Protest Team Releases Statement and Conducts Truck Protest
[NewJeans Truck Protest Team Statement]
The ruling handed down on February 12th in Case No. 2024GaHap110222, the Lawsuit for Stock Purchase Payment, has made it unequivocally clear that the “management takeover” alleged by HYBE against former CEO Min Hee-jin was a fabrication. The ruling explicitly stated that HYBE itself escalated the conflict and thereby diminished the value of ADOR and NewJeans. Accordingly, we — as Bunnies (NewJeans fans) who have been witness to all of these events since April 22, 2024, and as consumers exercising our legitimate rights — make the following strong demands of HYBE and its management.
1. HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk must acknowledge responsibility for the HYBE crisis that began on April 22, 2024, and immediately cease the wasteful dispute for the sake of the affiliated artists’ activities.
The court ruling explicitly stated: “It appears that internalizing the conflict would have minimized the damage to NewJeans’ value, yet HYBE appears to have instead fully brought it to the surface.” HYBE chose to expose to the media what could have been resolved internally, thereby diminishing the value of the artists. Furthermore, HYBE’s unreasonable attempt to dismiss former CEO Min Hee-jin obstructed the activity plans she had established for NewJeans — including domestic fan meetings following the Tokyo Dome concert, a full album, and a world tour — causing significant harm not only to NewJeans but also to their fans and HYBE shareholders. HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk must acknowledge responsibility for the related crisis and immediately cease the wasteful dispute for the sake of the affiliated artists’ activities.
2. BELIFT LAB CEO Kim Tae-ho must apologize for the plagiarism controversy and immediately delete the video “Our Position on the Plagiarism Claims,” which denigrates NewJeans’ originality.
The court ruling recognized that NewJeans’ raising of the plagiarism issue was a legitimate act, and explicitly stated that it could not exclude the possibility that a HYBE employee relayed NewJeans’ planning documents to a BELIFT LAB employee upon their request, and that these documents may have been reflected in the production of a new girl group. The court also found that having a label under the same parent company debut a girl group with a concept similar to NewJeans — a group that had debuted less than two years prior — could infringe upon the market of NewJeans under ADOR and could constitute an act that gives rise to a conflict of interest between the majority and minority shareholders. The court stated that this concern increases the greater the similarity between the two girl groups and the closer together their debut dates, indicating that the plagiarism controversy is a matter that can cause clear and demonstrable harm to NewJeans.
Despite this, on June 10, 2024, BELIFT LAB CEO Kim Tae-ho personally stated in the video “Our Position on the Plagiarism Claims” that there was “not even a trace of referencing NewJeans” — a claim directly at odds with the court’s ruling. The court expressed doubt as to whether this video meaningfully reduced the plagiarism allegations, and the video went beyond a mere statement of position to contain content that denigrates NewJeans’ originality. Accordingly, Bunnies strongly demand the immediate deletion of said video, an official apology from CEO Kim Tae-ho for the harm caused by the plagiarism controversy, and measures to prevent recurrence.
3. ADOR CEO Lee Do-kyung must fulfill the obligations to support normal activities and protect the artists as promised in court, and apologize for breaking the trust of the artists and fans.
During the previous “Lawsuit to Confirm Validity of Exclusive Contract,” ADOR repeatedly assured the court that “if the artists return, we will do our utmost to support their activities,” “all preparations are in place,” and “they can be relieved of liability for penalty and damages,” and repeatedly requested the members’ return. On the basis of these assurances, the ruling confirming the validity of the contracts was handed down. In respect of the court’s judgment and with the wish to end the legal disputes for the sake of their fans, all five NewJeans members returned to ADOR on November 12, 2025, seeking to continue activities as a complete group of five. Bunnies have also given their wholehearted support to the members’ decision and have been hoping for a comeback as all five members.
However, ADOR abruptly reversed its position, unilaterally notified Danielle of contract termination, and filed a lawsuit against Danielle and her family seeking damages and penalties totaling 44 billion won. Simultaneously, Minji has gone more than three months without making her intentions clear — undermining NewJeans’ unity and fostering division through selective treatment. Singling out only Danielle for contract termination is a violation of the principle of good faith, and an act of deception toward the members, the court, and the fans alike. ADOR CEO Lee Do-kyung must apologize for breaking his promises and betraying the trust of the artists and fans. Furthermore, ADOR must immediately withdraw the lawsuit against Danielle’s family and normalize activities for all five members of NewJeans — Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein. Additionally, as ADOR CEO, please fulfill the duty of loyalty (Korean Commercial Act Article 382-3) and formally demand the deletion of the BELIFT LAB video “Our Position on the Plagiarism Claims,” which contains content that denigrates NewJeans’ originality.
ADOR must stop the unwarranted erosion of NewJeans’ value as its affiliated artists, ensure they suffer no further harm from unnecessary disputes, and fulfill the fundamental obligation of protecting its artists. Furthermore, immediately take substantive legal action against illegal acts targeting the members — including leaks of personal information, invasion of privacy, defamation, and spreading of false information. In particular, the Dispatch article by reporter Park published on February 23rd and the illegal leak of overseas CCTV footage are clear violations against the members. The agency must transparently disclose to fans the status of its response to these matters and fulfill its duties as the members’ label.
4. Bunnies support the activities of all five NewJeans members — Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein.
NewJeans is a team that is only complete when all five members — Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein — are together. Bunnies will absolutely not tolerate ADOR selectively filing lawsuits against some members while compelling the rest to carry on with activities. No matter what happens, we will continue to support and cheer on all five NewJeans members — Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein — to the very end.
If the demands we are making — things that any label and CEO should be doing as a matter of course — are not accepted, or if unreasonable pressure on the artists continues, Bunnies will mobilize every means and method available to take strong collective action in order to defend their rights as fans and as consumers. This is not a mere appeal but the will of Bunnies, and we make it clear that we will not stop until our demands are met.
March 3, 2026 — NewJeans Truck Protest Team
Truck Protest Day 1
We will be conducting a truck protest in front of HYBE headquarters for two days, March 3 (Tue) – 4 (Wed).
Bunnies support the activities of all five NewJeans members — Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein — as a complete group, and demand an end to the wasteful disputes that prevent normal activities.
#NewJeans_Five_As_One
#AllReturn_Or_AllContractTermination
#NewJeans_Is_Five
HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk must acknowledge responsibility for the HYBE crisis that began on April 22, 2024, and immediately cease the wasteful dispute.
#NewJeans_Five_As_One
#AllReturn_Or_AllContractTermination
#NewJeans_Is_Five
BELIFT LAB CEO Kim Tae-ho must apologize for the plagiarism controversy and delete the video “Our Position on the Plagiarism Claims,” which denigrates NewJeans’ originality.
#NewJeans_Five_As_One
#AllReturn_Or_AllContractTermination
#NewJeans_Is_Five
ADOR CEO Lee Do-kyung must fulfill the obligations to support normal activities and protect the artists as promised in court, and apologize for breaking the trust of the artists and fans.
#NewJeans_Five_As_One
#AllReturn_Or_AllContractTermination
#NewJeans_Is_Five
Bunnies support the activities of all five NewJeans members — Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein — as a complete group.
#NewJeans_Five_As_One
#AllReturn_Or_AllContractTermination
#NewJeans_Is_Five
Truck Protest Day 2 has begun.
We apologize for the slightly delayed start due to on-site circumstances.
Bunnies support the activities of all five NewJeans members — Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein — as a complete group, and demand an end to the wasteful disputes that prevent normal activities.
#NewJeans_Five_As_One
#AllReturn_Or_AllContractTermination
#NewJeans_Is_Five
Based on the suggestions received yesterday, the truck messages have been updated for Day 2.
HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk must acknowledge responsibility for the HYBE crisis that began on April 22, 2024, and immediately cease the wasteful dispute.
#NewJeans_Five_As_One
#AllReturn_Or_AllContractTermination
#NewJeans_Is_Five
BELIFT LAB CEO Kim Tae-ho must apologize for the plagiarism controversy and delete the video “Our Position on the Plagiarism Claims,” which denigrates NewJeans’ originality.
#NewJeans_Five_As_One
#AllReturn_Or_AllContractTermination
#NewJeans_Is_Five
