NewJeans adjustments identify to NJZ, proclaims new track and efficiency dates

South Korean woman group NewJeans introduced at present that it is going to be performing in March below its new identify NJZ, amid an ongoing authorized dispute with the managing label Ador.

Talking to CNBC on “Squawk Field Asia,” the group stated it is going to be performing on the ComplexCon Hong Kong competition set for March 21 to 23, with the occasion including NJZ as a co-headliner.

The five-member band will unveil a brand new track on the final day of the occasion, and members may even carry out solo through the competition, the group stated.

The occasion could mark the group’s first main occasion because it stated it parted methods with Ador. Its members stated they terminated their contracts with the corporate on Nov. 28.

Nevertheless, Ador reportedly has filed two injunctions in South Korean courts, one in December to verify the validity of the group’s contracts and one other in January to cease the group from independently signing commercial contracts, based on the South Korean information company Yonhap.

Ador is a sublabel of Ok-pop powerhouse Hybe, which manages teams together with boy band BTS. Shares of Hybe have been down 0.63% shortly after the interview.

The group, fashioned in 2022, additionally introduced its new identify, NJZ, on Instagram at present, after beforehand asking followers to submit concepts for a short lived group identify following the supposed departure from Ador. 

The Korea Herald reported that NewJeans had accomplished all “main commitments,” barring some advertisement-related obligations, below its contract with Ador as of Jan 5.

Group member Danielle advised CNBC that the scenario remains to be “fairly horrifying for us,” and added that Ador is “nonetheless interfering with a variety of our work.”

Member Hanni additionally added that NJZ’s purpose for 2025 was to “launch music as fast as potential… as a result of we need to reshift the main focus again onto our job and what we ought to be.”

She added, “actually, we have now performed nothing flawed, so we’re not afraid of something in the intervening time. I believe we’re extra excited to sort of see what the long run holds, and I am certain that all the things will work out effectively.”

NewJeans maintains that it’ll “by no means return” to Hybe and Ador, whereas Ador stated the group’s contracts stay legitimate till 2029. 

South Korean media reported {that a} listening to for the contract dispute will happen in April, whereas the listening to for the promoting contract injunction is reportedly scheduled for March 7.

The group turned one among Ok-Pop’s hottest faces when it debuted in 2022, profitable quite a few accolades at South Korean award exhibits and having their songs seem on Billboard charts. In 2024, NewJeans had additionally received the Group of the Yr Award at Billboard’s Girls in Music ceremony.

NewJeans stated in a press convention on Nov. 28 that it was leaving Ador, claiming that the label had breached its contract with the band.

The transfer noticed Hybe lose as a lot as 6.97% of its share value, or $423 million of worth from its market cap on Nov. 29. 

“Staying right here can be a waste of time and would solely deliver ache, mentally,” Hanni stated then.

“There’s nothing we are able to acquire professionally from staying right here, so the 5 of us see no motive to stay at ADOR,” based on a translation by South Korean media outlet Yonhap.

NewJeans had been on the heart of a long-running administration dispute between Hybe after which ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, who fashioned NewJeans again in 2022. 

In April, Hybe accused Min of making an attempt to take the sublabel impartial, together with NewJeans.

Min denied the allegations and denounced Hybe, saying that they had copied the idea of NewJeans to make use of with one other woman band below a special Hybe subsidiary.

Min stepped down as ADOR CEO in August, however remained as a director of the corporate, earlier than resigning fully on Nov. 20.