NewJeans Marks 4th Anniversary With Surprise Group Video

NewJeans Marks 4th Anniversary With Surprise Group Video

NewJeans surprised fans with new official content on Tuesday, releasing a special anniversary video featuring Minji, Hanni, Haerin and Hyein to celebrate the group’s fourth debut anniversary.

The video, uploaded without prior notice through the group’s official YouTube channel at midnight on July 22, marks the first newly produced group content since the members became embroiled in a prolonged contract dispute with agency ADOR. The release has fueled speculation that the group’s activities may gradually resume following months of legal and contractual uncertainty.

Separately, former member Danielle, whose contract with ADOR was terminated last year, shared a personal message on social media to commemorate the anniversary.

Anniversary release raises expectations for group’s return

The anniversary film opens with Minji before introducing Hyein, Hanni and Haerin, bringing together all four members currently associated with the group.

It is the first official group-produced content released in approximately 16 months. In March last year, NewJeans announced during their independently organized performance at ComplexCon Hong Kong that they would suspend activities in compliance with a court ruling.

The group’s hiatus followed an escalating conflict between the members and ADOR after the dismissal of former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin. In November 2024, the members publicly declared that they were terminating their exclusive contracts with the agency.

However, South Korean courts subsequently ruled in favor of ADOR in both injunction proceedings and the main lawsuit, preventing the members from pursuing independent entertainment activities without the agency.

Following those rulings, Haerin and Hyein officially returned to ADOR in November last year, while Hanni rejoined the company a month later.

ADOR has previously stated that discussions regarding Minji’s future were progressing in a positive direction, although no official announcement has been made regarding her contractual status.

The agency described the newly released video as a commemorative project created to celebrate NewJeans’ fourth debut anniversary together with fans.

“It is anniversary content prepared for fans to enjoy together as NewJeans marks its fourth debut anniversary,” ADOR said. “The members gathered their thoughts to create this project, and we hope Bunnies will enjoy it with excitement.”

The company added that detailed plans regarding the group’s future promotions and activity format would be announced after ongoing discussions are fully concluded.

ADOR also confirmed that additional content will be released following the anniversary film.

Danielle shares separate anniversary message

While the four-member video drew attention, Danielle marked the anniversary separately through her personal social media account.

Posting a selfie, she wrote in English, “Life gets blurry sometimes, but the light always finds its way back. Until then, keep shining. Thank you.”

Danielle informed ADOR in December that she was terminating her contract after the agency argued she bore responsibility for leaving the group. She is no longer participating in NewJeans’ official activities.

Although neither Danielle nor ADOR directly addressed the group’s future relationship, her message attracted considerable attention from fans celebrating the anniversary.

Four years after a record-breaking debut

NewJeans officially debuted on July 22, 2022, with the surprise release of the music video for “Attention,” immediately attracting widespread attention in the K-pop industry.

The group quickly established itself as one of the genre’s leading acts with consecutive hits including “Hype Boy,” “Ditto,” “OMG” and “Super Shy.”

In August 2023, the group’s second EP, Get Up, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making NewJeans only the second K-pop girl group to top the U.S. albums chart.

The group has not released new music since its Japanese single “Supernatural” in June 2024.

While ADOR has yet to reveal a timetable for NewJeans’ return, the anniversary video represents the clearest official sign in more than a year that new group content is once again being prepared. With additional releases already confirmed, industry observers are closely watching whether the project signals the beginning of a broader return to activities after one of K-pop’s most closely watched legal disputes.

NewJeans Anniversary Video

https://www.youtube.com/embed/NNbaTJX_9go

Minji Park

Park Minji is a K‑pop writer and journalist who delivers sharp insights and engaging stories on Korean music and culture for global readers.

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