All five members of the popular K-pop girl group NewJeans have announced their return to ADOR, sparking widespread speculation about the group's future direction without Min Hee-jin, the creative mastermind who originally shaped their debut, distinctive image, and signature sound. Industry experts predict that "NewJeans without Min" will inevitably represent a significant departure from the version that has dominated the K-pop scene since their breakthrough in 2022.
NewJeans achieved instant stardom under Min's careful guidance, successfully blending retro, hip-hop, and R&B influences to create a fresh and unique K-pop identity that resonated with audiences worldwide. The group earned widespread critical acclaim not only for their chart-topping singles but also for the consistently high quality of their B-side tracks, a rarity in the industry. Min's comprehensive creative control extended far beyond music production to include choreography development, fashion styling, and promotional strategies, making her artistic vision virtually inseparable from NewJeans' early brand identity.
Min's departure from ADOR and NewJeans' subsequent return to the label has left many industry observers questioning how dramatically the group's core concept and artistic direction will shift moving forward. Following Min's resignation, HYBE, ADOR's parent company, initially appointed Kim Joo-young, the conglomerate's former chief human resources officer, as ADOR's new CEO before later replacing her with Lee Do-kyung, who previously served as deputy head of HYBE's IPX division. Most members of Min's original creative team are also expected to be replaced as part of the organizational restructuring.
One likely candidate to assume the crucial producer role is Hitchhiker, a former SM Entertainment musician who joined HYBE in 2023 and is currently working with ADOR. However, significant questions remain about whether NewJeans will continue operating as a fully unified five-member group, as industry officials report that internal disagreements emerged during their recent contract dispute with the company.
According to multiple reports, Hyein's father, who opposed contract termination from the very beginning of the dispute, played a pivotal role in persuading Haerin's family to reconsider their position. This family-level intervention prompted both Hyein and Haerin to begin separate negotiations with ADOR without involving or informing the other three members of their decision-making process. ADOR officially announced Hyein and Haerin's return on November 12, while Minji, Hanni, and Danielle subsequently issued their own return statements through their legal representatives without any prior detailed coordination with the agency. Notably, their announcement came just one day before the legal deadline to appeal the lower court's ruling in their contract dispute.
Industry insiders warn that although all members have seemingly returned to ADOR primarily due to the court decision, numerous unresolved issues and the apparent lack of a unified plan moving forward may continue to fuel internal friction within the group. Among the devoted NewJeans fanbase, divisive labels such as "2-Jeans" and "3-Jeans" have already begun circulating, reflecting growing anxieties over the internal split and its potential impact on group dynamics. In response to these concerns, ADOR has announced that it is currently arranging individual meetings with each member to address their specific concerns and expectations.
Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict between Min Hee-jin and HYBE continues to cast a long shadow over NewJeans' future, significantly affecting the group's relationships not only with their record label but also with various fandoms and other girl groups operating under the broader HYBE corporate umbrella. On Thursday, Min, who recently launched her own independent label called OOAK, issued a public statement saying, "The members' decision to return must have come after deep thought and discussion, and I respect and support their choice." She emphasized that "NewJeans must remain a group of five under any circumstances," while stressing that her ongoing legal battle with HYBE should be considered completely unrelated to the group's future activities.
Following the news of NewJeans' return to ADOR, HYBE's stock price experienced a significant surge on Thursday, reflecting investor confidence in the group's commercial potential. Financial analysts predict that if NewJeans successfully makes a comeback in late 2025, their renewed activities could contribute approximately 6 to 7 billion won (equivalent to $4.1-4.8 million) in operating profit during 2026, with projections rising to at least 20 to 30 billion won annually starting in 2027.
Music critic Kim Do-heon offered a realistic assessment of the situation, noting that the group's signature sound will inevitably undergo changes. "No matter who takes over the creative reins, NewJeans will inevitably differ from what they were before," he explained. "Whether the changes will be better or worse remains an open question, but satisfying their existing fanbase will definitely not be an easy task. The absolute priority now must be rebuilding trust between all parties involved."
