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While the future of NewJeans remains uncertain, the 5-member K-pop group has received an outpouring of support from numerous stars in the industry, including BTS’ Jung Kook and BLACKPINK’s Rosé, as their company faces a legal battle.
While accepting an award at the inaugural KGMA in November 2024, NewJeans openly expressed their uncertainty as a group, with member Hanni sharing, “Honestly, we don’t know how long we’ll be NewJeans anymore. But the bond between the five of us and Bunnies is unbreakable. So, let’s stick together until the very end.”
Danielle added, “Even if we’re not NewJeans anymore, NewJeans will never die.”
Their emotional words, left several K-pop stars in tears and has since gone viral on social media, including members of (G)I-DLE, SHINee and STAYC. Taemin, in particular, was seen cheering on the girls and also talking and bowing to the NewJeans members, via fan footage.
For those unfamiliar with the situation, NewJeans’ legal dispute centers around their label ADOR and its former CEO, Min Hee-jin, who stepped down earlier this year following accusations from HYBE—ADOR’s parent company—of corporate misconduct and espionage. Min has denied the charges, instead accusing HYBE of retaliation after she criticized the company for allowing another group, ILLIT, to copy NewJeans’ unique concept. Despite her defense, Min was removed from her position as CEO in August 2024.
In the wake of her departure, NewJeans took the bold step of addressing the issue head-on in a YouTube video, which was later deleted. In the video, the members shared their concerns about how HYBE had treated them and expressed unwavering support for Min. They also made an unprecedented demand for Min’s reinstatement by September 25, though HYBE rejected the request, instead offering to keep Min as an internal director at ADOR and as NewJeans’ producer.
Since then, ADOR and HYBE have been embroiled in a lengthy public trial. In October 2024, Hanni even appeared before South Korea’s National Assembly Labour Committee, where she made shocking claims about the treatment the group has endured under HYBE.
“I came to the realization that this wasn’t just a feeling. I was honestly convinced that the company hated us,” Hanni said at the time. Scroll through the gallery below to discover all the K-pop stars who have shown their support for NewJeans:
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