NewJeans, a global K-pop sensation coming off an intense court battle with the group’s agency over contracts, appears to be one step closer to a comeback.
A series of videos released Wednesday to mark the group’s fourth debut anniversary features Minji alongside members Hanni, Haerin and Hyein. Minji’s status with the group’s agency, ADOR, has remained unresolved for months, but her appearance in the clip suggestsa possible four-member comeback. The original group’s fifth member, Danielle, was not present in the clips as her contract with ADOR terminated last year.
The videos — five one-minute-long clips titled “2026 Summer of NewJeans” posted to the group’s official YouTube channel — mark the four members’ first time appearing together on camera since the release of their Japanese debut single “Supernatural” in June 2024, roughly two years ago.
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NewJeans had been on a hiatus due to legal battles dating back to April 2024, when ADOR’s parent company HYBE removed founding CEO Min Hee-jin, the creative force behind NewJeans, amid allegations of an attempted management takeover. The members demanded her reinstatement and, by November 2024, moved to terminate their contract, accusing ADOR of breaching it. ADOR disputed the move and sued to confirm the contract’s validity; a Seoul court sided with the agency in 2025, barring the members from outside work without approval. Danielle’s contract was terminated on Dec. 29 and ADOR is now seeking about 43.1 billion won ($29.1 million) in damages from her.
Haerin, Hyein and Hanni have since been confirmed to be back with ADOR and filming new content. Minji’s return had been described by the agency as progressing in a positive direction without an official announcement.
The main clip featuring the entire group opens on a cool summer night lit by moonlight, with the members gathering one by one, starting with Minji. They clasp hands, smiling, and gaze off together in a shot that evokes the group’s trademark sisterly intimacy.
The other four clips follow one member each in their day-to-day lives, layered with recurring rabbit imagery tied to the group’s Bunnies fandom name. Minji drives a pickup truck and folds a gas station flyer into a rabbit shape. Hanni hums a tune while working on a MIDI screen that displays a cartoon rabbit. Haerin leaves home carrying a rabbit-shaped bag she made herself, and a rabbit-themed MIDI art piece appears on her music player as she puts in her earphones. Hyein stops at an ice cream shop called The Bunnies Scoop on her way to go roller skating and orders a rabbit-shaped ice cream.
“The members wanted to celebrate their debut anniversary together with the fans who have been waiting for them for such a long time,” ADOR said. “We hope Bunnies will enjoy it with the same excitement.”
NewJeans debuted on July 22, 2022. Best known for a Y2K-inspired sound and image that departed from typical K-pop conventions, the group broke out with hits including “Attention” (2022), “Hype Boy” (2023), “Ditto” (2022) and “Super Shy” (2023), and has charted numerous times on Billboard’s Hot 100 and Billboard 200 and Britain’s Official Charts.
