24th March 2025 – (Hong Kong) K-pop group NewJeans announced during their performance at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong on Sunday that they will pause group activities, expressing their intention to return stronger in the future. This marked their first public appearance since a court upheld an injunction from their agency, Ador, on 21st March.
Performing as the final act at the third day of the ComplexCon music festival, the five members—Danielle, Minji, Hyein, Haerin, and Hanni—each showcased their talents through solo performances before joining together to debut a new song titled “Pit Stop.” The event provided a platform for the members to share their sentiments following the recent court ruling.
Minji addressed the crowd, stating, “We knew from the beginning that this wouldn’t be easy—probably better than anyone else. While we accept the court’s decision and the process, we’ll continue to speak up to protect one another. That’s a choice we’ll never regret.” Hyein echoed her sentiments, saying, “Some people might think it would’ve been better if we had just stayed with Ador and endured it quietly. But for us, this was about protecting ourselves. We believe that only by doing so can we come back stronger. That’s why we stand by our decision without a single regret.”
The court’s injunction prohibits the members from engaging in individual promotional activities and signing advertising contracts without Ador’s prior approval. Consequently, this performance was significant as it was the first time fans could see all five members together since the ruling was announced.
During the concert, neither “NewJeans” nor “NJZ” was mentioned— the alternative name under which they had conducted independent activities—but fans were heard chanting “NJZ” in support of the group. After performing “Pit Stop,” Minji conveyed a heartfelt message to the audience: “We’re going to take some time to regroup and gather our strength before moving forward again. Please don’t see this as the end—we will return, and when we do, we want to meet you again with bright, smiling faces.”
The members are expected to concentrate on their legal battle for the time being. Despite the injunction being a provisional decision, they plan to present their arguments in a forthcoming lawsuit aimed at determining the validity of their exclusive contracts, with a court hearing scheduled for April 3. Legal experts have indicated that overturning the injunction may prove challenging without new evidence.
On March 22, the group expressed their disappointment regarding the court’s decision in an interview with Time magazine, hinting at criticism of the ruling. Their remarks, which included references to Korean society and a suggestion that they were framed as revolutionaries, sparked controversy online, with some critics accusing NewJeans of disparaging the K-pop industry while mischaracterising a contractual dispute as a broader societal issue.