ADOR officially terminated its exclusive contract with NewJeans member Danielle on December 29, 2025. This decision ends months of speculation about the group's future. The agency cited an irreparable breakdown in trust as the primary reason. Danielle is now the first member to permanently leave the group since its 2022 debut. NewJeans - HYBE Conflict: The Corporate Civil War The conflict traces back to April 2024, when HYBE accused ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin of attempting to seize control of the subsidiary. Min responded with a highly publicized press conference, accusing HYBE of creative plagiarism and corporate betrayal. The emotional broadcast drew millions of viewers and shifted public sentiment in her favor. HYBE owns 80% of ADOR shares. Despite winning an initial injunction in May 2024, Min was ultimately removed as CEO in August. The power vacuum created what industry analysts now call K-pop's most expensive contract dispute. Why ADOR Terminated Danielle's Contract NewJeans members responded by demanding Min's reinstatement. On September 11, 2024, all five members held an unauthorized livestream, setting a deadline for HYBE to restore their former CEO. ADOR rejected the ultimatum. The members then sent formal contract termination notices in November 2024. The Seoul Central District Court ruled against them. On October 30, 2025, judges confirmed that all five members must honor their contracts until 2029. Facing potential penalties estimated at 450 to 500 billion KRW, members began returning individually. Haerin and Hyein announced their return in November 2025. Different Paths for Different Members According to ADOR's December 29 statement, Hanni visited Korea with her family and engaged in lengthy discussions with the agency. After reviewing past events, she chose to respect the court ruling. ADOR confirmed she will resume activities as a NewJeans member. Negotiations with Minji remain ongoing. The agency described the talks as progressing positively toward mutual understanding. Danielle's situation took a different turn entirely. Why ADOR Terminated Danielle's Contract ADOR determined that continuing its relationship with Danielle was no longer feasible. Reports from The Chosun indicate she allegedly entered conflicting contracts and pursued entertainment activities outside ADOR's authorization. The agency plans to pursue legal action against one of Danielle's family members. It also named former CEO Min Hee-jin as bearing significant responsibility for causing the dispute. According to the Korea Herald, Danielle had previously shown strong personal support for Min, addressing her as "Mom" and "Warrior" in handwritten letters during the 2024 conflict. Min Hee-jin's Legacy NewJeans Min has since launched her own independent agency. She publicly wished for the group to remain united, even without her. Her legal battle with HYBE continues separately. The put-option dispute involves approximately 26 billion KRW and is expected to conclude in early 2026. Court testimonies revealed internal tensions at HYBE. Min claimed that promotional resources were deliberately withheld from NewJeans after their rapid success. Industry Implications The NewJeans saga exposed structural vulnerabilities in K-pop's subsidiary model. Multi-label conglomerates like HYBE face new scrutiny over artist management practices. Member Hanni's October 2024 testimony at the National Assembly brought unprecedented political attention to workplace treatment in the entertainment industry. The case also demonstrated how personal relationships between artists and executives can become liability factors in corporate disputes. Future of NewJeans After Danielle's Exit NewJeans will likely continue as a four-member group under ADOR management. The original five-member lineup that defined the group's identity is now permanently altered. Fan reactions have been polarized. The hashtag "NEWJEANS IS FIVE" trended globally following the announcement. For HYBE, the resolution removes a major operational distraction. For Min Hee-jin, it closes a chapter but opens questions about her next creative venture. The K-pop industry, meanwhile, has gained a cautionary tale about the limits of creative autonomy within corporate structures.