“Did you truly understand?”
That was the question posed by a reporter to NewJeans‘ Minji during a press conference on November 28, 2024. A year has passed since then, yet the same question resurfaces—only now, it’s aimed back at the group itself.
On the evening of November 12, members Minji, Hanni, and Danielle issued a joint statement announcing their decision to resume activities under Ador, just three hours after Haerin and Hyein had declared their own return.
However, there is a stark difference between the two statements. Haerin and Hyein coordinated with Ador in advance and delivered their update through official channels. In contrast, Minji, Hanni, and Danielle stated they had not received a reply from Ador and thus issued their announcement via an external law firm.
This led to skepticism about the trio’s sincerity, yet the reporter stands by their words in the final lines of the statement: “We will continue to meet you with heartfelt music and performances.” That sentiment resonates, especially for those who, like this reporter, have hoped for a smooth return of NewJeans since last year’s press conference. Back then, the question to Minji was more of a rhetorical confirmation than an interrogation.
When asking Minji, “Did you truly understand?”, the first thought that crossed the reporter’s mind was, “Honestly, it didn’t make sense—are we really just leaving it at that?” Over time, the quote became a meme, resurfacing whenever NewJeans appeared in headlines—something the reporter now regrets.
In hindsight, the members’ collective dream of a peaceful contract termination was ultimately a fantasy. Their attempts through injunctions and legal validations failed entirely, with no argument accepted by the court. The result was a year lost in limbo.
Yet this legal defeat may turn into an unexpected turning point. Respecting the court’s decision now offers a legitimate basis for returning to activities, and the loyalty shown to former CEO Min Hee-jin has arguably been fulfilled. Min Hee-jin herself released a statement supporting NewJeans’ full-group return under Ador, framing the launch of her new entertainment company as a fresh start—not a continuation of past conflicts.
Still, hurdles remain. The trio must now work to repair their public image and reopen communication with Ador. But they have already outlined the best way forward: keeping their promise to return with “heartfelt music and performances.”
NewJeans garners such intense scrutiny because they are NewJeans—one of K-pop’s most sensational breakout groups. With such impact comes polarized public sentiment, yet there remains a strong wave of fans hoping for their comeback.
To rebuild trust in the NewJeans brand, the group must focus on authentic artistry and meaningful fan engagement. And central to that is restarting open, respectful dialogue with Ador. If they’ve truly decided to stay, they must also respect the organization by being present, communicative, and collaborative.
This is why the unilateral statement—excluding Ador—from Minji, Hanni, and Danielle carries a sense of regret. In truth, “return” is also a misnomer; legally and contractually, NewJeans never left Ador.
As previously stated, this reporter supports NewJeans’ return and chooses to believe in their pledge of sincerity. The hope is for their comeback to be not only successful but dazzling, as it once was in their peak.
But for this to happen, the focus must shift from power struggles to sincerity. And so, one must ask again: Do you truly understand what that means?
Ador confirmed on November 13 that they are coordinating individual meetings with each member and will do their utmost to ensure smooth discussions. Let’s hope these talks lead to a swift and harmonious resolution.
From here on, this is no longer about understanding—it’s about basic respect and professional courtesy.
Sources: nate
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