On March 27, a bold truck protest by a group of NewJeans fans made waves outside HYBE’s headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul, calling on the members and their families to reconsider their current legal stance and respect contractual obligations. The messages were a stark contrast to the vocal support shown by the fan union “Team Bunnies,” which has firmly backed NewJeans’ declaration of contract termination with ADOR.
The digital billboards mounted on the trucks delivered blunt messages:
- “Team Bunnies does not speak for the entire fandom. Dialogue between NewJeans and ADOR is needed.”
- “Adults around NewJeans, stop the gaslighting.”
- “Already a 1-year hiatus, and another 3 years could be lost to lawsuits. Everyone will forget.”
Fans behind the protest expressed concern over the potential financial fallout, including massive penalty fees, breach fines, and a slew of lawsuits that could result from the group’s current course of action.
Messages on the trucks included:
- “If adults truly care for NewJeans, don’t put them at risk.”
- “An unwinnable fight, astronomical penalties, wake up!”
- “If they regret it later, the risks NewJeans will bear will be too great.”
The protest came just days after the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 50 ruled in favor of ADOR on March 21, granting an injunction that barred NewJeans from signing independent contracts. This directly challenged the group’s claim that their contract with ADOR had been terminated as of November 2024, and cast doubt on their ability to continue independent activities.
Despite the court ruling, NewJeans has filed an appeal and continued to assert their position through high-profile foreign media. In a March 22 interview with TIME, the members expressed disappointment in the court’s decision, stating, “It’s disappointing. Maybe Korea wants to turn us into revolutionaries.” A March 26, BBC News Korea interview also saw the group denying speculation that former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin was orchestrating their actions.
Meanwhile, NewJeans remains largely absent from public schedules. At the ComplexCon event held in Hong Kong on March 23, the group announced a temporary suspension of activities, heightening concern among fans about the group’s uncertain future.
As legal and emotional tensions continue to escalate, the truck protest has added yet another layer of complexity. Rather than standing united, the fandom now appears divided between unconditional support and cautious realism, with the former urging loyalty and the latter pleading for practicality.
The question remains: can NewJeans find a way back to stability before the legal and reputational damage becomes irreversible?
