On March 26, 2025, the BBC aired a revealing interview with the members of NewJeans (NJZ), during which they candidly discussed the prevalent controversy enveloping their legal struggles with Ador. The five young talents shared their experiences regarding the backlash they’ve encountered and the allegations suggesting external forces have influenced their decisions.
This headline-making interview marked an important milestone as it was the first major discussion the group had participated in since a South Korean court issued a ruling against them, limiting their autonomy in pursuing independent activities.
In the interview, member Hanni expressed the discomfort the group felt about revisiting their legal issues frequently. Aware of the broader implications of their situation, Hanni articulated their wish to avoid negatively impacting other teams in the industry. Her insights highlighted their level of maturity and concern for their peers.
Responding to the escalating discussions about their decision to separate from ADOR, Hanni stated:
“And I’ll be completely honest, we’re not that comfortable about constantly bringing up this situation because we know that it involves another team and we don’t want to affect that team in any way, ‘cause you know, there’s no need for that. But, if you don’t express how you feel and thinking, then people don’t know. People would have just believed what was going on in the media.”
Moreover, the members of NewJeans rejected claims that influential figures were manipulating their choices from the sidelines. They underscored that their age often led to an underestimation of their capability to make independent choices. They reiterated that every decision made was a collective agreement among all five members. Hanni further elaborated:
“Because we’re really young, in a way that’s an easy way to kind of devalue the fact that we are actually trying to do something about this issue. It’s just easy to kind of be like ‘they’re young… what do you think they’re not doing that by themselves?’ but that doesn’t mean that we’re any less serious or any less concerned about this situation; that’s not the scenario at all.”
Hanni emphasized the unity within the group, stating:
“We’ve always said to each other if one person doesn’t want to do it, then we’re not gonna do it. It has to be all 5 of us that agrees to do it.”
Haerin stressed the bravery it took for them to voice their challenges, affirming their commitment to advocate for their rights despite the difficulties they face.
Insights into NewJeans’ Legal Struggles and Future Directions
The legal complications for NewJeans emerged in November 2024 when they made the announcement of their exit from Ador, citing allegations of mistreatment and workplace harassment. Ador countered these claims, asserting that the misunderstandings were the result of miscommunication.
This led to a protracted legal battle that culminated in a court ruling on March 22, 2025, which mandated the cessation of NewJeans’ independent activities, including music releases and brand partnerships under the NJZ name.
In the interview, Hyein reflected on the assumptions surrounding their fame, which many believe affords them unrestricted freedom. She expressed frustration, dispelling the misunderstanding that they had only recently decided to speak out when, in fact, they had been silently suffering through the ordeal for an extended period.
Danielle labeled the court’s ruling as shocking, while Minji recounted her initial reaction upon learning of the decision through a message from her concerned mother. The group described the emotional turmoil they experienced as they processed the unexpected ruling.
Published clips from the interview showcased the members visibly shaken—a stark contrast to their enthusiasm during a previous BBC interview just weeks prior, where they celebrated their new single, “Pit Stop,”performed at Hong Kong’s ComplexCon Festival, prior to announcing their halted activities.
As their future remains uncertain, NewJeans stays committed to their collective decisions, maintaining hope for regaining control over their artistic direction. The unfolding events will undoubtedly capture continued attention from fans and industry observers alike.