NewJeans’ situation has been heavily scrutinised ever since the five members began their legal dispute with ADOR last year. Their alleged return to the company hasn’t eased that scrutiny — if anything, it has intensified it.
With ADOR confirming that Haerin and Hyein have decided to return, while Minji, Danielle, and Hanni remain undecided, debates have erupted over whether the group truly needs all five members to move forward.
A scathing article arguing against a full-group return has since gone viral. In a report for Sports Seoul, journalist Han Sang Beom criticises the situation, calling the group’s potential comeback a “humiliating retreat.”
Could they be any more disrespectful? The immature members who seem unaware of their own position are frustrating enough, but the adults encouraging them show an equally poor sense of judgment. It’s hard to understand why ADOR must bring NewJeans back as a full group.
Public sentiment is negative as well. After losing the legal dispute, one they initiated on the grounds of a “breakdown of trust,” their decision to return now looks like a humiliating retreat.
— Han Sang Beom
The reporter argues that the three members should not be the ones making demands and cites an “industry insider” who labels Minji, Danielle, and Hanni as “unbelievably rude.”
They should have waited until ADOR released a well-framed message asking them to “come back.” The members should have given ADOR room to show a mature stance in accepting them. Instead, the situation has become one where the losers of a battle are the ones making demands. It also puts ADOR, who has been fighting this long, in an awkward position. Taking the three back as they are would be a blow to their pride.
A music industry insider said, ‘Those three NewJeans members are unbelievably rude. Returning like this is unacceptable. It should have looked like ADOR was graciously taking them back, but this kind of return is harmful to K-pop’s growth.’
— Han Sang Beom
In the end, the report insists there is no reason for ADOR to take all three members back, arguing that rebuilding the group around Haerin and Hyein is a realistic and publicly supported option.
Does ADOR, who currently holds the upper hand, have any reason to follow the intentions of [Min Hee Jin] and the three “discourteous” members? Even if ADOR were to rebuild the group around Hyein and Haerin, they’ve earned enough public support for it not to be an issue.
There’s no reason to take back three members they have a strained relationship with and risk further internal conflict. When ADOR’s separation from Min Hee Jin is still not fully resolved, the question becomes: why keep members tied so closely to her?
— Han Sang Beom
The harsh report has quickly gained traction online, largely due to its pointed criticism toward the three NewJeans members who have yet to be officially welcomed back by their agency.
