Can NJZ (NewJeans) Make a Comeback? Korean K-Pop Fans Weigh In

NewJeans is facing major comeback doubts amid ongoing legal battles and contract disputes with ADOR.

The controversy started back in April 2024 when a feud between ex-ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin and HYBE derailed the group’s momentum. Since then, the five members went silent, their careers frozen as legal battles dragged on.

The latest came in November when NewJeans announced they were ending their exclusive contracts with ADOR, aiming for independence. They opened new social media accounts, teased overseas performances, and even changed their group name to NJZ.

But the court slapped them with an injunction in March. The ruling blocked them from signing new deals or performing music independently. ADOR was seen as fulfilling their contract duties, leaving NJZ stuck.

“In November, citing a breakdown of trust, NewJeans members announced the end of their exclusive deal and began pursuing independent activities. Despite ADOR’s repeated attempts at negotiation, the members firmly rejected a return, instead opening new social media accounts and carrying out scheduled appearances without ADOR’s involvement. They even teased overseas performances, introduced a new name (NJZ), and hinted at a comeback.”
— Hankook Ilbo

The group filed two appeals but lost both. No new music. No official stages. Their third debut anniversary slipped by quietly.

Meanwhile, the K-Pop landscape changed fast. Rival girl groups filled the hole NJZ left behind. Fifth-generation groups are rising quickly. ADOR and NewJeans’ reconciliation? Industry insiders call it a “bridge already burned.”

“The group filed appeals twice, but both were dismissed. Since then, NewJeans’s career has come to a complete halt. Aside from a few obligations tied to preexisting ADOR contracts, they have not released new music nor appeared on official stages. Even their third debut anniversary passed quietly without any activity.
In reality, the K-Pop girl group landscape has drastically changed in their absence…
Within the industry, ADOR’s reconciliation with NewJeans is largely seen as a ‘bridge already burned,’ leaving their stalled activities as a source of lingering regret.”
— Hankook Ilbo

Fans are now divided and skeptical if NJZ can come back the same. Online communities are buzzing with comments saying the group may be past their prime or even replaced already.

“Honestly, I don’t really miss them. There are way too many groups to replace them.”
“Realistically, trials don’t just wrap up quickly… they can only come back once it’s over, but by then it’ll be hard to overcome the long gap.”
“If they do come back, I’ll check out their songs out of curiosity. But after that? Who knows. Whether the fandom will hold up is uncertain.”
“Realistically, isn’t it already over for them?”
— theqoo community

Others still hold out hope for their music and return.

“I wish things could be resolved quickly, but it won’t be easy. Still waiting for their music.”
“Waiting for their new songs, tbh. Nothing hits like NewJeans.”
— theqoo community

NewJeans’ future in K-Pop remains uncertain as the legal drama drags on. Will NJZ make a comeback or fade quietly?

NJZ (NewJeans) | @NewJeans_ADOR/X