NewJeans Under Fire As Korean Media Demands Apology Before Comeback

After releasing a special video to celebrate their fourth debut anniversary, NewJeans has seemingly begun preparing for a return. However, one Korean media outlet has argued that the group should apologize before attempting a comeback.

On July 26, Sports Seoul reporter Lee Seung Rok published an opinion piece claiming the most important thing missing from NewJeans’ return was not former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, but a sincere apology to the public and those affected by the group’s actions during its ongoing contract dispute.

The article argued that while NewJeans had become one of K-Pop’s biggest global acts, their success was built with the support of ADOR, HYBE, and the wider K-Pop industry. It criticized the members for making comments that it said undermined the industry while continuing to benefit from it.

The opinion piece also brought up the group’s interview with TIME, where the members said they never expected the problems within the K-Pop industry to change overnight, suggested that “this is the reality in Korea,” and said it felt like Korea wanted to make them “revolutionaries.”

This may be the current reality of Korea. But that’s why we believe change and growth are necessary. It feels like Korea is trying to turn us into revolutionaries.

— NewJeans for TIME

NJZ (NewJeans) Past Interview On The K-Pop Industry Resurfaces, Triggers Massive Backlash

According to the reporter, NewJeans has never addressed those comments or explained them despite continuing legal proceedings.

In doing so, they effectively condemned not only the country but the K-pop system as a whole.

— Sports Seoul

The article also claimed other artists were hurt during the dispute. It pointed to Hanni’s appearance at the National Assembly over her workplace harassment allegations, saying the public attention surrounding the case led to other idols becoming targets of criticism.

It also criticized the members for staying silent when former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin mentioned other groups during the dispute, saying they never expressed regret despite those artists being fellow HYBE labelmates.

The opinion piece further argued that ADOR and HYBE employees were overlooked during the conflict. It referenced statements made by the members when they announced they were leaving ADOR, including comments questioning whether HYBE truly cared about NewJeans and describing the company as inhumane.

The reporter said those remarks also affected employees who had worked behind the scenes to help the group succeed.

Having received no apology from the members, those staff members are now expected to quietly devote themselves to NewJeans once again. It is difficult to imagine the sense of disappointment and frustration they must feel.

— Sports Seoul

Finally, the article argued that after the court rulings, NewJeans is now expected to return to ADOR while relying on many of the same staff members for management and album production. It concluded that the members should first apologize to both the public and those they hurt before resuming activities.