NewJeans members Hanni and Minji surprised fans with a quiet trip to Rome, sharing photos and heartfelt messages while their group faces a tough legal battle with their agency, ADOR. The duo’s getaway has sparked buzz online, offering a glimpse into their bond during a challenging time.
A Quiet Escape to Rome
On April 13, Hanni and Minji posted pictures on their Instagram account, mhdhh friends, run independently by NewJeans members. The photos showed them posing in front of the Pantheon and strolling through Rome’s historic streets.
Bunnies, how are you doing? We’ve come far away for a bit. We wanted to go somewhere where no one would recognize us.
Their caption touched fans, hinting at a need for peace away from the spotlight. Online communities had already been buzzing with sightings of the two at the Vatican, traveling without managers or staff.
One netizen shared:
They were just by themselves, no managers, no staff. Just the two of them sightseeing like regular tourists.
The photos confirmed the trip was a personal getaway, showcasing their close friendship.
Legal Battle with ADOR
NewJeans has been in a heated dispute with ADOR, their agency under HYBE, for months. In November 2024, the group announced they were ending their exclusive contracts, citing multiple issues.
Dismissal of former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, who was also their producer.
An internal HYBE document suggesting a “reset without NewJeans.”
Former HYBE CEO Park Ji-won’s statement about giving NewJeans a “long break.”
Claims of mistreatment and lack of support from ADOR.
They tried to move forward independently as NJZ, launching their own platform, mhdhh friends. However, on March 21, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of ADOR.
The court’s decision:
Prohibited NewJeans from signing new advertising deals or acting independently.
Reaffirmed ADOR as their agency until 2029.
Stated NewJeans failed to prove ADOR violated their contract significantly.
ADOR responded:
We sincerely thank the court for its fair decision. With our status as NewJeans’ exclusive agency now legally confirmed, we are fully committed to supporting the artists moving forward.
NewJeans’ Response and Hiatus
After the ruling, NewJeans faced restrictions on using the name NJZ. They changed their Instagram handle from njz_official to mhdhh friends, reflecting the initials of members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein.
The group announced a pause in activities during their March 23 performance at ComplexCon Hong Kong, where they debuted a new song, Pit Stop. Hanni shared:
It wasn’t an easy decision, but we believe this is something we need to do at this moment.
Danielle added:
It feels too hard to keep going at this pace, and as strong as we are trying to stay, it has honestly taken a bit of a mental and emotional toll on us.
They’ve since challenged the court’s injunction and filed a lawsuit to confirm their contracts with ADOR are invalid. A hearing is set for April 3.
Fan Reactions and Future Plans
Fans, known as Bunnies, have rallied behind Hanni and Minji, flooding social media with support. Many praised their courage for taking a stand.
One fan wrote:
Seeing Hanni and Minji find a moment of calm in Rome makes me so happy. They deserve this break.
Another commented:
The legal stuff is messy, but I’m rooting for NewJeans to come back stronger.
The Rome trip seems to be a brief escape for Hanni and Minji as they navigate uncertainty. While no details about the trip’s length were shared, their posts suggest a focus on self-care amid the storm.
What Lies Ahead
NewJeans remains a global K-pop powerhouse, with hits like Super Shy and brand deals with Calvin Klein, Dior, and Gucci. The ongoing legal fight could shape their future, especially their ability to perform or collaborate independently.
The group has vowed to keep fighting. Minji said during ComplexCon:
We knew from the beginning that this wouldn’t be easy. While we accept the court’s decision, we’ll continue to speak up to protect one another.
For now, fans await updates on the April 3 hearing, hoping for a resolution that lets NewJeans share their music freely.
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