South Korean music label ADOR has officially terminated the exclusive contract of Danielle Marsh, a member of global K-pop girl group NewJeans, marking a major turning point in the long-running dispute between the group and their agency.
On December 29, 2025, ADOR announced that it had ended Danielle’s contract, stating that it was no longer feasible for her to continue both as a NewJeans member and as an ADOR artist.
The announcement comes after months of legal conflict between NewJeans and ADOR, which began in November 2024 when all five members publicly declared their intention to leave the agency following internal disagreements. ADOR subsequently filed a lawsuit confirming the validity of the group’s exclusive contracts, and a Seoul court ruled in the company’s favor on October 30, 2025.
In its statement, ADOR confirmed that Hanni, who had been part of the dispute along with Danielle and other members, recently chose to stay with the agency following in-depth discussions with her family and the company.
Meanwhile, Minji remains in ongoing talks with ADOR as both sides work to deepen mutual understanding.
In contrast, ADOR said it had determined Danielle could not continue with the label or the group, and informed her of the termination of her exclusive contract. The company also indicated plans to pursue legal accountability against one member of Danielle’s family and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, whom the agency says bear significant responsibility for the dispute and delays in the group’s return.
ADOR added that during discussions with the members, the company recognised that the artists had been exposed to what it described as “distorted and biased information” over a long period, which it believes contributed to misunderstandings about the agency and escalated the conflict.
The developments effectively derail plans for a full-member NewJeans comeback under ADOR. While Haerin and Hyein have already resumed activities with the agency following earlier negotiations, Danielle’s exit and Minji’s unresolved status raise uncertainty around the group’s future lineup and timing of new releases.
NewJeans debuted in 2022 and quickly became a leading global K-pop act with hit songs and international chart success. .
