Former NewJeans member Danielle opens Chinese social media as lawsuit looms
Danielle / Xportsnews
Danielle, who was removed from K-pop girl group NewJeans amid a contract dispute, is expanding her online footprint just as her legal battle with her former agency intensifies — fueling speculation that she may be preparing for overseas activities.
The singer recently opened an account on Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, one of China’s most influential lifestyle and social media platforms often described as the country’s version of Instagram. Although Danielle has yet to post any content, her follower count has already surpassed 10,000, highlighting continued fan interest despite her ongoing controversy.
Her older sister, Olivia Marsh, who also operates a RedNote account, followed Danielle on the site, further confirming the authenticity of the newly created profile.
The move comes just days after Danielle opened an Instagram account on Monday and hosted her first live broadcast at 7 p.m. the same day. It marked her first official appearance since Ador notified her of the termination of her exclusive contract.
At the time, the law firm representing Danielle said the livestream was “purely for communicating with fans and has nothing to do with the lawsuit currently underway.”
Despite following only her sister on Instagram, Danielle’s account drew explosive attention, reaching 860,000 followers within just three days — a level of engagement that underscores her lingering star power even after her departure from NewJeans.
Ador has filed a lawsuit against Danielle seeking termination of her exclusive contract along with 43.1 billion won ($32 million) in penalties and damages, deepening one of the most closely watched legal battles in the K-pop industry.
With her rapid social media expansion now extending into China, fans are watching closely to see whether Danielle’s next chapter will unfold beyond Korea — even as the courtroom fight continues.
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.