Rumors are swirling about NewJeans, now known as NJZ, potentially joining Beasts And Natives Alike (BANA) after their rebranding. This news follows a period of uncertainty surrounding the group’s agency situation. BANA has a history with the group, having contributed to some of their biggest hits.
Connecting the Dots: Hints and Speculations
BANA’s involvement with NewJeans’ early success, including tracks like “Attention,” “Hype Boy,” “Cookie,” “Ditto,” and “OMG,” makes the potential partnership intriguing. While neither BANA nor NJZ have officially confirmed the move, several clues have emerged.
The speculation began after NJZ’s youngest member, Hyein, told fans during an Instagram Live session on February 7 that the group would announce their new agency soon, reassuring them not to worry. Adding fuel to the fire, Hanni posted a cryptic message on NJZ’s social media on February 10, hinting at a new setup.
Further evidence comes from rapper Kim Ximya, who is signed with BANA. During a live session on February 6, he mentioned the label was preparing to introduce a new group. When a fan asked if it was a girl group, his reaction suggested he knew more than he was letting on.
The HYBE Factor and a History of Collaboration
Adding another layer to the story is the connection between BANA’s founder, Kim Ki Hyun, and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. Their long-standing friendship, dating back to their time at SM Entertainment, raises questions about the motivations behind this potential move. This follows the recent legal battles between HYBE and Min Hee Jin.
This potential move to BANA could be interpreted as NJZ taking a stand amidst the ongoing situation. It also highlights the complex web of relationships and influences within the K-Pop industry.
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.
