K-pop Girl Group NewJeans’ Fans Take a Stand Against KBS
On April 7, loyal fans of the K-pop girl group NewJeans (également connus sous le nom de NJZ) filed a formal petition addressing the South Korean broadcasting agency KBS. This action was instigated by what the fans deemed “malicious reporting”concerning the group, specifically highlighting KBS’s controversial article that suggested internal conflicts within the NewJeans family.
Despite the family members of NewJeans publicly denying these rumors, fans asserted that KBS persisted in promoting this narrative. Additionally, the agency reportedly referenced comments from a YouTuber regarding the group, which were characterized as “anti-Korean.”Fans were particularly aggrieved by the use of an inappropriate thumbnail for an article discussing NewJeans, which they felt conveyed a harmful message.
The petition highlighted fans’ demands for a public apology from KBS and the immediate removal of the controversial thumbnail. While KBS did update the thumbnail, they did not issue any formal apology, prompting fans to seek further action against the agency for these cumulative offenses.
As of this writing, the petition has gathered 3,476 signatures, suggesting a growing movement among fans. The statement accompanying the petition articulated their concerns clearly:
“We deeply regret that KBS has spread false information by including provocative phrases such as ‘Escape is in the order of intelligence’ despite receiving confirmation that allegations of rifts among family members are unfounded. In the past, KBS has misled the public by quoting a YouTuber’s opinions without providing broader context, falsely insinuating that NewJeans had made ‘anti-Korean’ comments.”
The statement continued to express discontent:
“When the fandom called for corrections and an apology regarding an inappropriate thumbnail so poorly designed it blurred the line between a public broadcaster and sensationalist media, KBS hastily changed the thumbnail without acknowledging their mistake. KBS has repeatedly targeted groups featuring minors with provocative content aimed at boosting viewership, disregarding basic journalistic integrity and the fundamental right to respond.”
NewJeans Announce Temporary Hiatus Amidst Legal Dispute with ADOR
In a significant turn of events, NewJeans briefly halted their activities following the initial court hearing concerning their contract validity with ADOR. In November 2024, after ADOR failed to comply with a 14-day ultimatum set by the group, NewJeans called a press conference declaring their departure from the agency. In response, ADOR asserted the legitimacy of the group’s exclusive contract and subsequently initiated legal proceedings against them.
Despite this turmoil, NewJeans proceeded with independent projects, rebranding themselves as NJZ. This culminated in a performance at the Complex Con 2025 Hong Kong music festival on March 23. During this event, they unveiled their new unreleased song, “PIT SONG,”and announced their brief hiatus in respect to the court’s decision.
However, ADOR claimed they had not been informed of the group’s hiatus and requested meetings with NewJeans to discuss future activities.