Netizens are raising serious questions after NewJeans declared a sudden halt to their activities, with many pointing fingers at former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin for the group’s current turmoil.

During their March 23 performance at ComplexCon in Hong Kong, the members shocked fans by announcing what may be their final performance “for a while.” They said, “This wasn’t an easy decision, but one we had to make. We will comply with the court’s ruling and stop all activities.”

This follows the Seoul Central District Court’s decision to grant an injunction requested by ADOR, barring the group from independently signing advertising deals or continuing promotions without the label’s involvement. This effectively forces NewJeans to pause their activities until the final court decision. However, what raised even more eyebrows was the group’s unilateral move. Despite seemingly respecting the court’s decision, NewJeans submitted an objection on March 21, refused to meet with ADOR staff in Hong Kong, and even sold “NJZ” branded merch backstage under a new group name. ADOR later released a statement expressing regret, saying, “We hope to speak with the artists soon and discuss the future.”

Netizens Call Out Min Hee-jin

While ADOR and HYBE remain entangled in legal disputes, the public sentiment has noticeably turned against Min Hee-jin. Online communities are flooded with comments like:

• “She dragged the members into her fight with HYBE, and now where is she?”
• “It feels like she’s using NewJeans as a shield.”
• “No one drags their family into a war.”
• “From the beginning, calling herself their ‘mother’ and creating an excessive sense of shared destiny was the problem.”
• “NewJeans needs to decide, do they want to stay with their fans or with Min Hee-jin?”

Just a few months ago, Min Hee jin was praised for her emotional press conference and her role in building NewJeans’ unique identity. However, after the injunction ruling, their interview with TIME magazine sparked further controversy, as they stated, “We are disappointed by the court’s decision. This might be the reality of Korea. It feels like Korea wants to turn us into revolutionaries.” These remarks, perceived as having anti-Korean undertones, drew backlash.

Moreover, many feel that Min Hee jin’s claims against HYBE lack convincing evidence, with alleged manipulation and misleading narratives now being dissected by both fans and legal experts. Less than a year ago, Min Hee-jin was hailed as the visionary behind NewJeans, earning them the title of “Top of K-Hip.” Now, only NewJeans remains, having positioned themselves as “revolutionaries,” while Min Hee-jin has seemingly faded into the background.

“Still Six Members in Spirit”

During the injunction hearing on March 7, the members expressed their unwavering support for Min Hee jin, stating, “Although there are five of us on stage, our team consists of six members. We were afraid of losing our CEO, especially when baseless attacks and false reports flooded the media. We want to continue working with her in the future.”

Their words underscored the deep bond they share with Min Hee jin, framing her not just as a leader but as an integral part of their identity as a group. However, despite their unwavering support, NewJeans’ future remains uncertain. With their activities halted and no clear resolution in sight, Min Hee-jin’s continued silence is only intensifying speculation about what comes next for both her and the group.