ENTERTAINMENT
NewJeans Members Minji and Hani Announce Contract Termination with ADOR
On the 28th, Minji updated her Phoning profile picture to an image from the Japanese anime 'Inuyasha,' depicting a character ascending to the sky while saying, "Goodbye, everyone." This image is a popular meme used online to signify resignation. In the scene, the character declares, "Goodbye, everyone. I am leaving behind all the shackles and constraints of this world to find my happiness. I hope you all find happiness too."
Hani also caught attention by changing her profile message to "see you on the other side."
These profile updates followed an urgent press conference held at 8:30 PM on the 28th, where NewJeans announced their contract termination with ADOR. Minji and Hani's actions mirror those of former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, who resigned from her position and posted a 'resignation meme' on Instagram, featuring a rabbit with the word 'resignation.'
During the press conference, NewJeans stated that the reason for the contract termination was due to ADOR and HYBE's breach of contract, allowing them to terminate without applying for a provisional injunction to suspend the contract's effect. They expressed their intention to continue with their scheduled activities but also showed a desire to work with former CEO Min Hee-jin. Additionally, they mentioned efforts to secure the trademark rights to the name NewJeans.
In response, ADOR expressed regret over the press conference, stating, "We regret that the press conference to terminate the exclusive contract was planned and conducted without sufficient review before receiving a response to the content certification." ADOR maintained that they did not breach the contract and that the claim of broken trust does not constitute grounds for termination, asserting that the exclusive contract remains valid.
