On March 23, 2025, NJZ, the K-pop sensation formerly known as NewJeans, informed fans of a brief hiatus following a court ruling that favored their management agency, ADOR. This announcement came at the conclusion of their electrifying performance at ComplexCon, which took place at AsiaWorld-Expo Arena in Hong Kong before an enthusiastic crowd of over 11,000 attendees.
“Today will likely be our last stage for the time being… We have decided to respect the court’s decision and suspend our activities for a while. It is not an easy decision, but it is… necessary right now. Thank you for all the love and support. We will continue to move forward,”NJZ shared during their heartfelt closing remarks at the event, as reported by Naver News.
In response to NJZ’s hiatus declaration, ADOR issued a statement the following day, January 24, expressing disappointment regarding NJZ’s use of a different name. The agency emphasized that the exclusive contract with the group remains intact and indicated plans to arrange a meeting with the members to address future actions.
“We are very sorry that they pushed ahead with the concert under a name other than NewJeans despite the court’s decision and unilaterally declared a halt to their activities… We will do our best for NewJeans according to our valid exclusive contract. We hope to meet with the artist as soon as possible and discuss the future,”their parent company HYBE commented to the media (via the same outlet).
The ongoing legal dispute centers on the terms of ADOR’s exclusive contract with NJZ, alongside issues surrounding the group’s independent activities. On March 21, 2025, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in ADOR’s favor, issuing an injunction that prevents NJZ members from engaging in any independent work, including signing advertising contracts.
This conflict traces back to last November when NewJeans claimed they had terminated their contracts due to alleged violations by ADOR. The K-pop group began exploring independent promotion, prompting ADOR to seek legal action to enforce their management rights.
Initially, ADOR took steps to block advertising deals and subsequently restricted entertainment activities, including singing and songwriting. Despite these limitations, NJZ continued to perform until the court’s ruling compelled them to announce a temporary cessation of activities.
Highlights from NJZ’s Debut at ComplexCon
During their performance at ComplexCon on March 23, 2025, NJZ celebrated a momentous occasion, marking their first public appearance since the court’s decision on March 21. The group introduced a new track titled ‘Pit Stop’ and took a moment to interact with their fanbase, affectionately referred to as “bunnies,” reading letters addressed directly to them in both English and Korean.
Their influence at ComplexCon extended beyond their onstage performance. The merchandise booth featuring official NJZ items attracted enormous crowds, with over 2,000 fans queuing just on that Sunday. However, the booth was closed due to the rapid sell-out of all available merchandise.
In February 2025, NewJeans transitioned to the name NJZ as part of their involvement with ComplexCon. The disputes with ADOR intensified after claims surfaced that HYBE, the parent company of ADOR, sought to remove their mentor, Min Hee-jin. The situation deteriorated significantly when NJZ announced their departure in November 2024, arguing that their contracts with ADOR were invalid—a claim vigorously contested by the agency.