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NewJeans, the Kpop group that rapidly rose to international fame with their viral hits and distinctive style, made a bombshell announcement on November 28 that they are officially parting ways with their agency, ADOR, a subsidiary of the entertainment giant HYBE. This unexpected move followed a growing number of rumours, legal disputes and allegations of mismanagement that have plagued the group’s relationship with the agency over the past few months. The press conference, called in response to mounting pressure, revealed the truth behind their sudden exit and shed light on the intricate behind-the-scenes issues that led to this dramatic turn of events.

NewJeans debuted in 2022 under ADOR, quickly gaining a massive following for their fresh sound and youthful appeal. Their music, choreography, and aesthetics made waves globally, propelling them to superstardom in a short span of time. However, despite their immense success, whispers of tension between the members and their management began to surface as early as mid-2024.

Insiders started reporting on struggles regarding creative control, scheduling conflicts, and unsatisfactory working conditions, with some even suggesting that the agency was not providing the level of support needed for the group to navigate their newfound fame. Members allegedly voiced concerns over long working hours, lack of input in decision-making and an overbearing promotional schedule that left little room for personal rest or growth. As these issues simmered under the surface, NewJeans fans—referred to as Bunnies—began to notice subtle signs of distress within the group, sparking widespread speculation.

WATCH NEWJEANS PRESS CONFERENCE HERE:

Things escalated when reports emerged of ongoing legal disputes between NewJeans and ADOR, revealing the strain in the group's contractual relationship. Legal experts suggested that NewJeans members, who were all under long-term contracts with the agency, had been actively negotiating their departure for months. The fact that a large part of the group’s contract was tied to ADOR, including its ties to HYBE, further complicated the situation.

According to sources close to the matter, NewJeans' contract was heavily structured to benefit the agency, leaving little flexibility for the group to explore outside opportunities without significant hurdles. Some fans speculated that NewJeans had been forced to choose between their autonomy and continuing under ADOR’s control, a decision that became inevitable as the internal conflicts reached a boiling point.

During the press conference, the members of NewJeans made a joint statement, confirming their departure from ADOR. This was an unprecedented move, as Kpop idols typically avoid making such public pronouncements about their agencies. Members expressed gratitude for their early success but emphasized that their departure was necessary to protect their mental well-being and future career prospects.

The group revealed that their decision was based on the lack of adequate communication and support from ADOR, which they claimed had hindered their creative freedom and caused emotional strain. They cited multiple instances where their concerns were dismissed, leading to growing frustration within the group. Members also spoke candidly about the emotional toll that the intense pressure of the Kpop industry had taken on them, with some revealing that they had struggled with burnout and a lack of personal time.

"While we are proud of our achievements, we cannot ignore the sacrifices that have been made for us to reach this point. This decision wasn’t easy, but we believe it is the right step forward for us to truly embrace our individuality and continue to grow as artists," one member said during the press conference.

NewJeans' departure from ADOR has left the Kpop industry reeling. Fans have expressed a mix of shock, sadness, and anger, with many questioning how an agency that helped propel them to stardom could have allowed such a rift to form. The industry is now awaiting ADOR’s response and how this will affect the group's future plans.

In terms of their next steps, NewJeans has stated that they will be exploring new opportunities as independent artists, but their exact plans remain unclear. While some have speculated that the group may sign with a new agency or pursue solo endeavours, others are holding out hope for a reunion under a more artist-friendly management structure.

In response, to the NewJeans' emergency press conference, ADOR, as per Soompi, released an official statement that says:

This is an announcement from ADOR.


We regret that a press conference to announce the termination of the exclusive contract was planned and conducted even before receiving a response to the certification of contents and without sufficient review.


ADOR, as a part of the exclusive contracts, has not violated the contracts, and claiming that trust has been unilaterally broken does not constitute grounds for termination.


The exclusive contracts between ADOR and the NewJeans members remain valid. Therefore, we expect them to continue their scheduled activities ahead together with ADOR as they have until now.


We have requested several meetings with the artists, but they were not carried out. We hope that even now, we can open our hearts and have sincere conversations together.

ADOR will do our best to support NewJeans in their activities and help them grow further as global artists."

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ADOR

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