After the announcement that all five members of NewJeans will return to their label ADOR, online discussions have exploded with comparisons to one of K-pop’s most infamous group splits TVXQ and JYJ.
The controversy deepened when Haerin and Hyein’s return was announced separately from that of Minji, Hanni, and Danielle. ADOR issued an official statement confirming only Haerin and Hyein’s decision to resume activities, while the remaining members released their own statement hours later through media outlets, claiming that “ADOR did not reply” to their communication attempts.
This perceived divide quickly reminded fans of the TVXQ (DBSK) saga, in which the original five-member group split into a 2:3 formation after Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu sued SM Entertainment in 2009 over alleged “slave contracts,” later forming JYJ.
One post circulating on X (formerly Twitter) captured the sentiment: “As a Cassiopeia, can I say something? I’ve been waiting to do this… I’ve played this game before!!”
Others chimed in with similar remarks. “Seems like TVXQ all over again,” and “When a group has five members, there’s always a 2:3 split. Is that some kind of K-pop law?“
While many fans saw eerie similarities in the pattern, others pointed out the crucial differences particularly that all five NewJeans members were involved in the ADOR dispute, unlike U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin, who remained with SM Entertainment during TVXQ’s division.
Still, the comparison reflects how deeply the NewJeans vs. ADOR conflict has resonated with fans, evoking memories of one of the most defining moments in K-pop history.
As one netizen summarized: “History really does repeat itself in K-pop just with new names and prettier aesthetics.”
Sources: Koreaboo,X
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