NewJeans members voice frustration over ADOR-HYBE feud

NewJeans members Hanni, Minji and Danielle have voiced frustration over the ongoing feud between ADOR and HYBE in new posts to fans.

The two K-pop idols took to fan community app Phoning yesterday (September 2) to speak out the ongoing feud between their label ADOR and music giant HYBE, which owns the K-pop agency. It comes shortly after Min Hee-jin stepped down as the CEO of ADOR, a move which the music executive has alleged as something that wasn’t her choice.

Australian-Korean member Danielle wrote that she had “a lot of concerns” since Min Hee-jin was dismissed as CEO of ADOR, according to Yonhap News Agency. “It’s been difficult in many ways […] for a while, I was in a state of mental breakdown and very anxious,” she added.

Similarly, Minji said that she wanted to “comfort” them despite her frustration that “nothing has been solved” about the situation, per Korea JoongAng Daily. “I was so frustrated with myself for not being able to solve anything. I am so sorry that we’re going through this unnecessary trouble when there’s already not enough time in the day to focus on the good things,” she wrote.

“I wanted to come here and tell [our fans] that everything is okay, but I just couldn’t this time,” Minji continued. “As I’m writing this now, just like yesterday, there’s nothing Icando, and nothing has been resolved. I don’t know how long these anxious days willlast, and maybe I am selfish to say this, but I want us and [our fans] to no longer endure these hard times.”

Meanwhile, Hanni touched on the dismissal of Min Hee-jin as the CEO of ADOR, while not directly speaking about her thoughts about the situation. “I was originally just practising writing songs and lyrics with my guitar, but Bunnies… our members… our CEO [Min Hee-jin] … I am also struggling at this time, but I wanted to comfort everyone and get rid of all my heartache.”

Instead, the singer released an untitled self-composed song, saying that she “hope[s] that, even if it’s just for tonight, it will help slow your mind down for a bit”.

newjeans you deserve so much better. pic.twitter.com/6VxJuUn2x0

— HURT SOTY 𓃹 (@hurtsaz) September 2, 2024

Prior to the statements made since last week, the feud between Min and HYBE had notably cooled off in the past months, after a court ruled in favour of the music executive’s injunction to prevent HYBE from exercising its voting rights at a then-upcoming shareholder meeting on May 30.