NJZ, formerly known as NewJeans, has publicly denied a February 14 report by Korean media outlet TenAsia claiming the group plans to sign with Beasts And Natives Alike (BANA). The agency’s PR team called the article “completely fabricated” and vowed legal action against TenAsia for spreading unverified claims.
“The article titled ‘NJZ Partners with BANA’ by TenAsia’s reporter Lee Min Kyung is completely false. NJZ has not entered into any agreement with BANA, nor have there been any discussions.” — @njz_pr/Instagram
The TenAsia report cited unnamed industry sources suggesting BANA was managing NJZ’s activities, including press conferences, despite no formal contract. It also linked BANA to former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, noting shared collaborations with producers. NJZ’s statement criticized TenAsia for publishing without verifying facts, accusing the outlet of intentionally creating controversy.
Here is the full statement from NJZ’s PR Instagram account:
Hello.
We would like to inform you that the article titled ‘NJZ Partners with BANA’ by TenAsia’s reporter Lee Min Kyung, which was just released, is completely false.
NJZ has not entered into any agreement with BANA, nor have there been any discussions. The article cites ‘testimonies from multiple industry insiders,’ but it is a completely fabricated falsehood. It seems that the intention is to create controversy by publishing the article without confirming the facts with the parties involved or BANA.
We plan to file a complaint with the Press Arbitration Commission and take strong legal action against TenAsia for spreading these false claims without verifying the facts.
In the past, TenAsia has repeatedly published completely false information, presenting it as established facts, leading to numerous articles that caused severe mental distress to the members and many others involved.
We hope that TenAsia’s reporter, Lee Min Kyung, takes legal responsibility for this article and the dissemination of these false claims. We apologize for causing further disturbance this evening just before the weekend. I hope you have a peaceful evening.
NJZ’s PR team announced plans to file a complaint with South Korea’s Press Arbitration Commission and pursue legal measures against TenAsia. The group emphasized that such reports have caused “severe mental distress” to members and associates, citing TenAsia’s history of publishing unverified claims.
Parents of the NJZ members also released a statement denying the rumors, calling them “completely unfounded” and confirming no negotiations with BANA occurred. They echoed plans for legal action.
NJZ’s Rebrand and Upcoming Activities
Despite the controversy, NJZ is moving forward with its rebrand. The group announced a new song release on March 23 and a performance at ComplexCon Hong Kong, marking their first major event since leaving ADOR. Member Hanni emphasized their focus on music:
“Our goal for 2025 is to release music as quick as possible… We want to reshift the focus back onto our job.” — Hanni, NJZ member
Ongoing Legal Dispute with ADOR
NJZ’s conflict with ADOR continues, with the agency filing injunctions to block the group from signing independent advertising deals. ADOR claims its contract with NJZ remains valid until 2029, while the group insists they terminated it in November 2024. Court hearings are scheduled for March 7 and April 3 to address contract validity and advertising disputes.
Fans expressed concern over the false reports, with many supporting NJZ’s decision to take legal action. The situation highlights broader issues of misinformation in K-pop, affecting artists’ mental health and industry stability.
Saikat Nandy is an entertainment news writer who covers the latest trends and stories from the world of showbiz, has a keen eye for spotting the most interesting and relevant topics, and delivers them to his audience with flair and humor. He is also a freelance blogger, content writer, and website designer who loves to explore new technologies and creative ideas.
