K-pop group once dubbed ‘female BTS' hit hiatus at career peak, dragged into controversy with future uncertain
Also read: BTS' Suga warns 'the market's not the same' as group confirms 2026 comeback and tour
NewJeans debuted in July 2022, after Le Sserafim (HYBE's first girl group), but their rise was nothing short of meteoric. The girls broke away from the traditional, cute, nation's crush image of female idols to a bold, aesthetically-driven, girl-next-door vibe. Their early releases like Attention and Hype Boy turned into youth anthems. Their debut EP New Jeans topped charts in no time, while Ditto achieved a 'Perfect All-Kill' (meaning it topped all major Korean charts simultaneously and stayed there for days). OMG and Super Shy became insanely famous overseas.
In such a short time, NewJeans bagged multiple Daesang awards (one of the highest honours in South Korea) at shows like the Golden Disc Awards, Melon Music Awards, and MAMA Awards. By 2023, they became HYBE's richest female rookie group, with endorsements falling into their lap like cake. Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Armani, Celine, Burberry, YSL, Dior, Omega, nearly every luxury brand that once had BTS or BLACKPINK, came calling. Even homegrown giants like Samsung got on board. With their growing influence, they were named Honorary Ambassadors for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, for Seoul Fashion Week, and bagged multiple government-backed titles, carving their place as South Korea's next big soft power.
Also Read: NewJeans makes final call on HYBE settlement after reading fans' letters: ADOR issues statement
BTS made history with groundbreaking Billboard Music Awards performances, cracking open K-pop's presence on American prime-time. NewJeans, not far behind, made their own BBMA debut in 2023, a huge deal for a group this new. They were even hailed as 'Billboard performers.' But since April 2024, things have started slipping downhill.
In 2024, HYBE initiated an audit of ADOR and, in their complaint, alleged that CEO Min Hee Jin was trying to 'poach' NewJeans away from HYBE while secretly planning to establish an independent label. NewJeans sided with Min Hee Jin. The then-CEO hit back, accusing HYBE and its subsidiaries of plagiarism, mistreatment, and sabotaging ADOR's creative independence. Even the members' parents got embroiled in the drama.
After Min Hee Jin was sacked from her position, the quintet tried to terminate their contracts and go independent. But ADOR claimed the contracts were still valid. Despite that, NewJeans pushed back, they halted all group activities and even tried to drop music on their own. But ADOR dragged them to court and filed injunctions to stop the members from pursuing anything outside the label. NewJeans lost. They didn't file for appeal. As per the latest court ruling, the group has been ordered to pause all independent activities and stick with ADOR. While other legal battles are still raging on, the group remains on hiatus. What's worse, the once-overwhelming public support for the girls has started to dip. If the court ends up ruling that NewJeans breached their contracts, they could be hit with heavy penalties, including brands pulling out of deals.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
BTS' Jin's viral kiss cam moment: Leaves audience in giggles during Anaheim performance, calls Coldplay's Chris Martin 'his bro'
Jin's imitation of the famous kiss-cam incident from Coldplay Massachusetts drove the internet into a frenzy and caused laughs across the stadium. On June 17 and 18, Jin performed in Anaheim as part of his solo world tour. His compelling vocals, stage presence, and graphics left the audience in awe. The entertaining guessing game he played with fans on the second night, however, was the real highlight. It instantly went viral on social media and brought the house down with laughter. On the second day of the RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR tour in Anaheim, Jin engaged the concertgoers in a game of guessing called Connect Army. The BTS member had to predict a word or phrase that the audience was supposed to act out during the game. The viral kiss-cam event from the recent Coldplay concert in Massachusetts was recreated by one enthusiastic fan. Playing along, Jin instantly grasped what the fan was depicting by imitating the hugging and face-hiding movement on stage. Upon realising the answer, he burst into uncontrollable laughter, shaking his head in amusement and jokingly asking, "He's my bro?" He made the statement since Coldplay and BTS members are known to have a close, brotherly relationship. Jin uttered the answer, Coldplay, out loud as fans applauded in agreement to his question. Jin and the audience both laughed uncontrollably during the game, which made it a memorable occasion. Fans were particularly amused by Jin's quick wit and awareness of current viral trends, which allowed him to guess the reference with ease. A surprising kiss cam scene during Coldplay's performance in Massachusetts made the show a viral event. A couple, later revealed to be Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR Chief Kristin Cabot, were shown cuddling up together on the jumbotron during the Gillette Stadium performance. Taken by surprise, they quickly separated and tried to hide their faces. That's when Chris Martin chimed in with his signature humor, saying, 'Oh look at these two, either they're having an affair or they're very shy,' sending fits of laughter among the audience.k
Pink Villa
an hour ago
- Pink Villa
Yum Jung Ah, Won Jin Ah's The Defects release: Date, time, where to watch on OTT, what to expect, cast, more
K-drama fans, brace yourselves for a dark and gripping new series. The Defects is set to hit screens on July 21, 2025. It'll bring a chilling story of survival, twisted ideologies, and a powerful fight for justice. Based on a popular webtoon, the drama blends psychological tension with high-stakes revenge. The show is already gaining attention for its unique storyline and the casting of Dex. He's the breakout star of Single's Inferno and is now making his scripted acting debut. The Defects release schedule: When & where to watch The Defects is scheduled to air every Monday and Tuesday on ENA at 10 PM KST (6:30 PM IST). It will follow a tightly packed 8-episode run, concluding on August 12. Each hour-long episode will also be available on streaming platforms TVING and Kocowa for both domestic and global viewers. Full broadcast schedule: Episode 1 – July 21 Episode 2 – July 22 Episode 3 – July 28 Episode 4 – July 29 Episode 5 – August 4 Episode 6 – August 5 Episode 7 – August 11 Episode 8 – August 12 What's The Defects all about? At the heart of the series is Kim Se Hee (played by Yum Jung Ah). She's the chief director of a prestigious hospital and a philanthropist known for her charity foundation. But behind her angelic public image lies a horrifying secret. She's the mastermind behind an underground illegal adoption ring, operated in part by Jung Hyeon (played by Dex). Kim Se Hee believes only children with "superior genes" deserve to live and thrive. When adopted children don't meet expectations, they're returned. And when they're returned, they're eliminated; murdered to erase any evidence of the operation. Among those discarded was Kim Ah Hyeon (played by Won Jin Ah), a child who miraculously survived the organization's brutality. Now grown, she leads the defective children in a rebellion against their tormentors. She's determined to take down Kim Se Hee and expose the truth. Meet The Defects cast Alongside Yum Jung Ah, Won Jin Ah, and Dex, the drama also features a strong supporting cast. Choi Young Joon plays Woo Tae Sik, and Lee Na Eun takes on the role of So Mi. Meanwhile, Oh Seung Jun appears as Seok Su, and Byun Jun Seo plays Gyu Tae. With its bold plot, emotional stakes, and timely themes, The Defects is shaping up to be one of 2025's must-watch K-dramas. Whether you're here for the intense performances or curious about Dex's acting chops, mark your calendars! This one's not to be missed.
Pink Villa
an hour ago
- Pink Villa
Amitabh Bachchan's Don director Chandra Barot passes away at 86: Farhan Akhtar, Kunal Kohli pay tribute
Veteran filmmaker Chandra Barot passed away at the age of 86. He left for a heavenly abode in Mumbai on Sunday. Best known for directing the 1978 cult classic Don, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Barot was undergoing treatment at a hospital in the city. Chandra Barot was battling a health condition Chandra Barot, who was admitted to Guru Nanak Hospital in Bandra, died due to a health condition. According to a report by The Times of India, Chandra Barot's wife, Deepa Barot, confirmed the news of his demise. She shared that the late filmmaker had been battling pulmonary fibrosis for the last seven years. Farhan Akhtar and Kunal Kohli offer condolences Farhan Akhtar took to Instagram to share a few pictures of Chandra Barot. One of them features Barot with Amitabh Bachchan. The old picture is presumably from the sets of the 1978 film, Don. Akhtar penned a heartfelt note for the late filmmaker. "Saddened to learn that the director of the OG Don is no more. RIP Chandra Barot-ji. Deepest condolences to the family," he wrote in the caption. It is worth noting that Farhan Akhtar directed a modern adaptation of Chandra Barot's original film, Don, also titled Don, in 2006. Filmmaker Kunal Kohli also paid a tribute to Chandra Barot on social media. Kunal recalled working with him as an assistant director in a film, Boss, which was never made. In his tweet, Kohli called Barot a 'remarkably sharp man' and a 'lovely person'. The Hum Tum director also remembered his interaction with the late filmmaker. "Chandra ji RIP sir. The only director I assisted. Not in Don. For a film with Vinod Khanna called Boss that never saw the light of day. But what am enriching experience working with him. Heard so many BTS stories of Don. I sided bunk college and assist Chandraji," he wrote in his tweet. "Remarkably sharp man. Lovely person. Has very enlightening and fun chats with him. Thank you sir for giving us #Don indian cinemas most stylish films to date," Kohli added. Chandra Barot's work front Apart from directing Don, Chandra Barot is remembered for his association with the late veteran actor Manoj Kumar in the 1970s. Barot worked as an assistant director on films such as Purab Aur Pachhim, Yaadgaar, Shor, and Roti Kapada Aur Makaan.
