Can NewJeans return to the top in a K-pop battlefield tougher than ever?
NewJeans / Xportsnews
With all five NewJeans members expressing their intention to return to Ador, fans are now asking the big question dominating the K-pop industry: Can the group reclaim the top position they once held before a year of legal battles, press conferences and political hearings derailed their momentum?
The quintet’s return comes exactly one year after they announced the termination of their exclusive contracts in November 2024. Although Haerin and Hyein have formally resumed activities with Ador, the other three members — Minji, Hanni and Danielle — have only declared their intention to return, and final agreements with the label have not yet been completed. Still, the news has been welcomed by many fans as a sign that the group may finally step back onto the stage after shedding the stigma of being labeled “the lawsuit idols.”
Ador previously revealed that it had continued preparing a full-length NewJeans album while the legal dispute unfolded, raising expectations that a comeback may follow once the internal negotiations are settled.
NewJeans / Xportsnews
Rebuilding after image damage
Over the past year, NewJeans faced significant image fatigue as lawsuits, press briefings and even appearances at a National Assembly audit kept them in headlines unrelated to music. In interviews with foreign media, members’ comments such as “We are disappointed in the court decision,” “They want to turn us into revolutionaries” and “The problems in K-pop will not change overnight” sparked controversy at home and abroad.
Before the conflict erupted, NewJeans had firmly established themselves as a leading fourth-generation girl group. Debuting in 2022, they delivered consecutive hits including “Attention,” “Hype Boy” “Ditto” and “Super Shy,” building a strong global fan base with their free-spirited, youthful image. In June, they held a fan meeting at Tokyo Dome just less than two years after debut — the fastest for any foreign act.
A tougher battlefield awaits
But the girl-group landscape has shifted dramatically during their absence. Groups like IVE, aespa, Le Sserafim, i-dle, Babymonster, Hearts2Hearts and NMIXX have released new music, expanded overseas activities and strengthened their positions. Industry observers note that the market rarely waits for anyone — not even top-tier acts.
If NewJeans confirms a full comeback, it would instantly become one of the most closely watched events in the music scene. Online reactions reflect high curiosity, with comments such as, “Time to prove themselves again with music,” “I’ll listen because the songs are good,” and “A comeback could change the mood.”
Others, however, remain skeptical, saying, “The girl-group scene is too competitive now,” “Their past statements hurt their fresh image” and “The lawsuit image is still too strong.”
With all five members expressing willingness to reunite under the same label, fans now wait to see whether NewJeans can fully restore unity — and their once-dominant position in K-pop.
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.