All five members of the popular K-pop girl group NewJeans have announced their intention to return to their original agency Ador, marking the end of a lengthy legal dispute that has captivated the Korean entertainment industry. The group, consisting of Minji, Danielle, Hanni, Haerin, and Hyein, will resume activities under the HYBE subsidiary after months of contract disputes and legal proceedings.

The announcement came in stages, with Haerin and Hyein being the first to confirm their return to the music label. Following their decision, the remaining three members released a joint statement on Wednesday evening expressing their desire to rejoin their former agency. "After careful discussions, we have decided to return to Ador," the statement from Minji, Danielle, and Hanni read. "One of our members is currently in Antarctica, so the communication was delayed and since Ador has not yet responded, we had no choice but to share our position separately."

Ador responded positively to the developments, welcoming back Haerin and Hyein while working to verify the authenticity of the statement from the other three members. In an official announcement, the agency said, "Haerin and Hyein have expressed their intention to continue working with Ador. After careful consideration with their families and sufficient discussions with the agency, they decided to respect the court's ruling and comply with their exclusive contracts." The label emphasized its commitment to fully supporting the two members' return to the stage and requested that fans refrain from speculation about the group's future.

The reunion follows a significant court ruling from the Seoul Central District Court on October 30, which determined that all five NewJeans members must honor their exclusive contracts with Ador through 2029. The court rejected the group's attempt to terminate their agreements early, effectively forcing them to remain with the agency despite their previous objections.

The legal battle originated from internal management conflicts within HYBE Labels and its subsidiary Ador. The controversy began in August 2024 when former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin was removed from her position during a heated management dispute with parent company HYBE Labels. The NewJeans members strongly supported Min Hee-jin and demanded her reinstatement, viewing her dismissal as a breach of their working agreement.

Following Min Hee-jin's removal, the five members escalated their protest by claiming their contracts with Ador had been effectively terminated due to alleged breaches of agreement by the company. However, Ador maintained that the contracts remained legally valid and binding. The agency took legal action by filing a lawsuit seeking confirmation of the contracts' exclusivity and requesting an injunction to prevent the members from pursuing independent activities outside of Ador's management.

During the height of the dispute, the group found creative ways to continue performing for their fans. Their last official performance together took place in March, where they appeared under the temporary name "NJZ" for a concert in Hong Kong. This performance demonstrated their commitment to their fanbase even while navigating the complex legal and contractual challenges with their agency.

The resolution of this case represents a significant moment in the K-pop industry, where contract disputes between artists and agencies have become increasingly common. With the court's ruling now final and all members expressing their intention to return, NewJeans is expected to resume full promotional activities under Ador's management, potentially ending one of the most closely watched legal battles in recent K-pop history.