On March 24, 2025, the K-pop group NJZ, previously known as NewJeans, was spotted at Incheon Airport donning caps emblazoned with the “NJZ”logo. This appearance occurred following a ruling by the Seoul Central District Court that favored ADOR, prohibiting NJZ from engaging in independent activities under their new name.
Despite this court order, the five-member ensemble showcased their NJZ merchandise at the airport. The day before, on March 23, 2025, they performed at ComplexCon Hong Kong, a significant event held at AsiaWorld-Expo, where they debuted their fresh track, “Pit Stop,”at 7:30 p.m. local time. The group’s merchandise was also available for purchase during the festival, signalling their continued brand presence.
During their performance, although the group refrained from officially calling themselves NJZ, they referenced the name implicitly, with “NJZ”prominently displayed on their backdrop. Notably, member Minji had “NJZ”tattooed on her leg during the show, emphasizing their connection to the name.
As the concert concluded, NJZ surprised their audience with the announcement of a temporary hiatus. They expressed their thoughts on the court’s ruling and the necessity of taking a break, stating:
“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 conveyed to the crowd in both Korean and English, as reported by Naver News.
This announcement might have caught ADOR off guard, as they were not informed in advance of the hiatus decision. Notably, NJZ’s rebranding occurred in February 2025, coinciding with their addition to the ComplexCon lineup.
ADOR Voices Concerns Over NJZ’s Actions
In response to the situation, South Korean agency ADOR has publicly criticized NJZ for their decision to perform under the name “NJZ”despite the existing court ruling prohibiting such actions. On March 24, 2025, ADOR expressed disappointment regarding the group’s choice to proceed with their ComplexCon festival performance and their unilateral announcement concerning the hiatus.
ADOR reaffirmed that their exclusive contract with NJZ remains valid and expressed intentions to meet with the group members soon to discuss their future direction. The agency stated:
“We are very sorry that they proceeded with the concert under a name other than NewJeans despite the court’s decision and unilaterally declared a halt to their activities.”
They further added:
“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.”
The ongoing legal dispute between NJZ and ADOR stems from the group’s attempts to end their contract, claiming violations by the agency, which ADOR has denied, opting instead to pursue legal measures to maintain control.
In a separate development, NJZ is also taking action against defamatory online content. Their legal representation, SHIN & KIM LLC, has reported that unfounded rumors and insults have proliferated across various platforms. They are currently monitoring these posts and collaborating with authorities to initiate legal proceedings.