ADOR Drops Danielle From NewJeans, Will Pursue Legal Action Against Member’s Family Member and Label’s Former CEO

Summary

• ADOR officially terminated Danielle’s exclusive contract on December 29, after determining it was no longer possible for her to continue as a member of NewJeans
• The label announced it will pursue legal action against former CEO Min Hee-jin and one of Danielle’s family members for their alleged roles in causing the dispute and delaying the group’s return
• While Hanni, Haerin, and Hyein have confirmed their return to the label following a court ruling upholding their contracts, Minji remains in active discussions with the company regarding her future

ADOR has announced that Danielle will not be returning to NewJeans following the legal saga between the girl group and the HYBE-owned label.

The label’s translated statement read, “Having determined that it would be difficult for her to continue as a NewJeans member and ADOR artist, the company notified her today of the termination of her exclusive contract.”

ADOR also added that the company “intends to pursue legal accountability against one member of Danielle’s family and former [ADOR] CEO Min Hee-jin, who bear significant responsibility for causing this dispute and for the delays in NewJeans’ departure and return,” however no additional details regarding the family member were revealed.

In addition, ADOR confirmed that fellow NewJeans member Hanni will remain with the girl group. “Hanni visited Korea with her family and held in-depth, extended conversations with ADOR,” the statement continued. “During this process, they reflected on past events and took time to objectively review the situation. At the conclusion of these sincere discussions, Hanni decided to stay with ADOR, respecting the court’s ruling.”

The news of Danielle’s departure arrives over a month after ADOR confirmed that members Haerin and Hyein will remain in NewJeans after “thoughtful consideration with their respective families.” Meanwhile, member Minji is currently still in discussions.

NewJeans and ADOR took their issues to court in 2024 after the girl group announced their desire to sever ties with the label. They accused ADOR of “mistreatment not just toward us but also toward our staff, countless preventions and contradictions, deliberate miscommunication, and manipulation regarding multiple areas,” as well as breach of contract after the label fired former CEO and NewJeans mentor, Min. A South Korean court sided with ADOR, upholding the label’s contract with the girl group.

[NOTICE] 뉴진스 멤버 복귀 관련하여 알려드립니다.

어도어는 전속계약유효확인의 소 판결 확정 이후 민지, 하니, 다니엘 및 세 멤버의 가족분들과 많은 대화를 나눠왔습니다.

하니는 가족분들과 함께 한국을 방문해 어도어와 장시간에 걸쳐 깊이 있는 대화를 나누었습니다. 그 과정에서 지난 일들을…

— ADOR (@alldoorsoneroom) December 29, 2025