KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 – K-pop group NJZ, formerly known as NewJeans has announced a temporary break from activities following a heated legal dispute with their management company, ADOR.
The announcement came during their performance at ComplexCon Hong Kong on Sunday night, where the five-member group debuted a new song titled “Pit Stop.” During the show, the members expressed their gratitude to fans while revealing their decision to take on a hiatus.
A Tense Stage, Emotional Announcement
During the performance at AsiaWorld Expo Arena, which attracted over 11,000 fans, NJZ members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein took turns reading a heartfelt letter. In both English and Korean, they addressed their fanbase, known as “bunnies,” explaining their decision.
“It is really hard for us to say this, but this might be our last performance for a little while,” they said. “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.”
The emotional speech came at the end of their set, which featured solo performances of classic R&B tracks instead of their usual high-energy routines.
Legal Battle with ADOR Intensifies
The group’s hiatus follows a ruling from the Seoul Central District Court on March 21, which sided with managing company ADOR. The court has granted a preliminary injunction that restricts NJZ from conducting independent activities without the agency’s approval.
This decision further cements ADOR’s legal authority over the group until a final verdict is reached.
However, NJZ proceeded with their Hong Kong appearance despite the ruling. Tensions further escalated between the group and ADOR, which labeled their actions as “deeply regretful” and reaffirmed their commitment to enforcing the exclusive contract in a statement today.
“We aim to have a discussion with the members and resolve this issue,” said the agency.
The dispute between NJZ and ADOR began when Hybe, ADOR’s parent company, allegedly tried to oust NewJeans’ creative director, Min Hee-jin. In response, the group cut ties with ADOR in November 2024, arguing the agency no longer had the authority to represent them.
By February 2025, they adopted the name NJZ before their ComplexCon performance, signaling their push for independence. However, the recent court ruling complicates their efforts to break away
With their activities on hold, NJZ plans to challenge the injunction as they face an ongoing legal battle. Fans and industry watchers are following closely, as the outcome could change how K-pop artists interact with management companies.
The Seoul Central District Court is expected to give a final decision in the coming months. Until then, NJZ’s future remains unclear as they continue to fight for their artistic freedom.
