On November 12th, NewJeans members announced their return to ADOR, seemingly signaling the end of a long legal dispute. However, upon closer inspection, the comeback process revealed notable inconsistencies — both among the members themselves and between the group and the agency. These discrepancies have sparked growing suspicions among fans that this was far from a simple reconciliation.
A Split Announcement Raises Questions
At around 5:05 PM, ADOR officially announced the return of Haerin and Hyein, stating that “after thorough discussions, the members have decided to respect the court’s ruling and honor their exclusive contracts.”
This sounded like a formal, mutual agreement — a complete reconciliation between the company and the artists.
Yet, about two hours and forty minutes later, the comeback of Minji, Hanni, and Danielle was announced through an entirely different channel — a separate law firm, not ADOR. Their statement added, “Since ADOR has not responded, we are announcing our position independently,” directly revealing ongoing communication issues.
Three Key Mysteries Fans Can’t Ignore
1. Different Channels: Official vs. Legal Representation
Haerin and Hyein’s return was announced through ADOR, implying restored trust and coordination.
In contrast, Minji, Hanni, and Danielle used an independent law firm, suggesting emotional or legal distance from the agency — or perhaps an intent to assert independence from ADOR’s control.
Ordinarily, K-pop groups make comeback announcements in one unified voice to avoid confusion. The fact that NewJeans’ comeback was split this way hints that unresolved tensions or legal remnants still linger behind the scenes.
2. “No Response” Statement: Blaming ADOR for Miscommunication?
The most puzzling part is that the trio’s statement explicitly said, “Since ADOR has not responded, we are announcing this separately.”
Normally, such internal communication details are kept private. By publicly pointing to ADOR’s “lack of response,” the members appeared to place blame on their own agency — an unusual move right before a highly anticipated return.
Some fans interpreted this as a sign that “trust between the group and the company hasn’t been fully restored,” or even as a declaration that “ADOR doesn’t hold complete control over the comeback narrative.”
This is where phrases like “Trojan Horse” or “fake reconciliation” began circulating among fans, reflecting doubts about the sincerity of this comeback.
3. “A Member in Antarctica” — A Strange Excuse?
The trio’s law firm mentioned that “one member was in Antarctica, causing a delay in communication.”
No further explanation was given — who was there, or why — making this excuse sound oddly implausible.
The use of “Antarctica” in this context struck many fans as suspiciously specific and improbable. It led to speculation that the announcement was rushed or not coordinated properly, raising more questions than it answered.
Legal Timelines and the Future: What the Comeback Really Means
Behind these mysteries lies one crucial factor — time. The deadline to file an appeal after ADOR’s initial court victory was midnight on November 13.
Since all five members expressed their intent to return before that time, it effectively signaled a withdrawal from the legal fight and acceptance of the first court’s ruling.
But does this split announcement simply mark the end of the legal battle? Or does it reveal a deeper fracture within the group’s internal dynamics?
The Bottom Line
While NewJeans may have legally returned to ADOR, their comeback process suggests the group is still struggling to function as a single, unified team.
Openly revealing communication breakdowns and issuing separate announcements hint that underlying issues remain unresolved.
In short, NewJeans’ “incomplete comeback” may have reduced legal risk — but it also raised fresh doubts about trust, authenticity, and the group’s future harmony.
How ADOR and NewJeans address this tangled situation in the coming months will determine whether fans can once again see them as one true team.