After months of turmoil and a closely watched legal dispute, all five members of the K-pop group NewJeans have confirmed their return to ADOR. This decision signals a move towards stability and the resumption of their activities after a period of uncertainty.

The members, Haerin, Hyein, Minji, Danielle, and Hanni, chose not to appeal the court ruling that upheld their exclusive contracts with ADOR. The deadline to file an appeal passed on November 13th, effectively finalizing the Seoul Central District Court's initial ruling from October 30th. The court's decision validated ADOR's claim, confirming that the exclusive agreements between the agency and the members remain in effect. The original exclusive contract between NewJeans and ADOR is set to expire in July 2029.

ADOR has expressed its commitment to providing full support to ensure the members can smoothly resume their promotional activities. The agency is reportedly arranging individual meetings with each member to facilitate constructive discussions.

Haerin and Hyein were the first to formalize their return, announcing their decision through ADOR on November 12th. Minji, Danielle, and Hanni also conveyed their intention to return, indicating that group activities will be rolled out in stages. According to Yonhap News, Minji, Hanni, and Danielle confirmed their return to ADOR shortly after Haerin and Hyein's comeback was announced.

The legal dispute between NewJeans and ADOR began in August of last year following HYBE's dismissal of ADOR's CEO, Min Hee-jin. The members advocated for Min's reinstatement as their album planner and subsequently declared the termination of their exclusive contracts in November after their request was not accepted. ADOR countered by asserting the contracts were still valid and filed a lawsuit to confirm their exclusivity. The court ultimately sided with ADOR, stating that no fault was found on ADOR's part.

Analysts suggest that the psychological pressure resulting from their defeat in the lawsuit may have influenced the members' decision to return. The court's ruling explicitly stated, "No fault on ADOR's part was found".

ADOR had previously stated that preparations for the group's comeback, including the release of a full album, were complete and that they were awaiting the members' return. With the legal issues resolved, the focus shifts to the future activities of NewJeans under ADOR.