NewJeans’ First-Ever Appearance As 4 Hit With Scathing Backlash

After years of hiatus forced by contract disputes, NewJeans are seemingly finally coming back. But fans are not happy.

[NewJeans Day🎂]
Did You See The White Furry Animal? 🐇

🔗 #뉴진스#NewJeansDay #NewJeans_4th_Anniversary

— NewJeans (@NewJeans_ADOR) July 21, 2026

The groups’s official social media channels shared individual pictures of all four members, Minji, Hanni, Hyein, and Haerin.

[NewJeans Day🎂]
HYEIN#NewJeans #뉴진스 #NewJeansDay #NewJeans_4th_Anniversary pic.twitter.com/Z53UbEgNhu

— NewJeans (@NewJeans_ADOR) July 21, 2026

However, what shocked the most were pictures of all four girls together because it marked their first group appearance without Danielle.

[NewJeans Day]
🐰#NewJeans #뉴진스#NewJeansDay #NewJeans_4th_Anniversary pic.twitter.com/llZtz2y076

— NewJeans (@NewJeans_ADOR) July 21, 2026

The pictures were uploaded as part of the girl group’s anniversary celebrations.

[NewJeans Day🎂]
HAERIN#NewJeans #뉴진스 #NewJeansDay #NewJeans_4th_Anniversary pic.twitter.com/4yOp34rEP0

— NewJeans (@NewJeans_ADOR) July 21, 2026

After much drama, Minji has seemingly confirmed her return to the group with the new photos.

[NewJeans Day🎂]
MINJI#NewJeans #뉴진스 #NewJeansDay #NewJeans_4th_Anniversary pic.twitter.com/EbQhBOO20M

— NewJeans (@NewJeans_ADOR) July 21, 2026

Danielle, meanwhile, remains out of the group following more contract disputes with ADOR. The agency has continued their lawsuit against the former NewJeans member, Min Hee Jin, and a family member.

Fans have had various reactions to the new photos, and considering the situation with Danielle, a lot of them have not been positive.

hybe is more evil than the darkest spirit in the bottom of darkest region of hell

— Pikachu (@quarrelpinks) July 21, 2026

without danielle isn’t new jeans

— gui (@dkzitos) July 21, 2026

This doesn’t give Newjeans at all

— it was a gi jane JOKE (@T0te1z) July 21, 2026

oh hell to the fuck no this is not my newjeans NEWJEANS IS NOT NEWJEANS WITHOUT DANI DONT PISS ME OFF HYBE pic.twitter.com/js8TStZhYN

— ʚїɞ (@X0ELLA) July 21, 2026

hybe redebuting newjeans after 3 yrs as 4 and removing danielle from the group is saddest thing ever happened in kpop and we can’t do anything 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/BESfj7evr3

— Pikachu (@quarrelpinks) July 21, 2026