NewJeans, or NJZ, announce hiatus amid legal dispute with label Ador

K-pop girl group NewJeans are saying goodbye for now following a Seoul court ruling that

temporarily barred them from pursuing

independent activities under their new name, NJZ.

The quintet performed at music festival ComplexCon in Hong Kong on March 23 as NJZ shortly after the court’s ruling, but announced onstage their decision to go on hiatus.

The group, made up of members Minji, Danielle, Haerin, Hanni and Hyein, read out a statement in English on stage amid a legal dispute with their label Ador.

“It is really hard for us to say this, but this might be our last performance for a little while. Out of respect for the court’s decision, we’ve decided to pause all our activities for now. It wasn’t an easy decision, but we believe this is something we need to do at this moment,” they said.

According to South Korean news outlet Korea JoongAng Daily, Ador said in response to the hiatus announcement on March 24 that it would like to meet the members.

It said it “deeply regrets that, despite the court’s decision, a performance was carried out under a name other than NewJeans, and that an abrupt suspension of activities was announced unilaterally”.

It added: “Ador remains committed to doing its utmost for NewJeans under a valid exclusive contract. We hope to meet the artistes soon to discuss their future.”  

Ador staff members reportedly went to ComplexCon, but were unable to meet the group members.

NewJeans

unilaterally left Ador

in November 2024, alleging mistreatment from the label and its parent company, K-pop conglomerate Hybe. In January, Ador filed an injunction to block the group’s solo activities and assert its role as their management agency. But they announced a performance at ComplexCon with the new name NJZ in February.

In their statement on stage, the members said they do not regret the decision to leave Ador.

They added: “We believe that standing up for our dignity, our rights and everything we care deeply about is something we had to do, and that belief will not change.

“We understand and know that today’s news might be disappointing or upsetting, but it was not an easy decision for us to make either. But at the moment for us, it’s about protecting ourselves so that we can come back even stronger.”

The group mostly covered songs from other artistes at ComplexCon, including TLC’s No Scrubs (1999) and Ghost Town DJ’s My Boo (1996). But they also unveiled a new song titled Pit Stop, which does not seem to be available on streaming services.

They have not released any new music under the name NewJeans since June 2024.