NewJeans Transitions to NJZ Amid Contract Dispute with ADOR

NewJeans rebranded as NJZ following a contract dispute with ADOR, unveiling the name through social media. NJZ will make its first official appearance at ComplexCon in Hong Kong, marking a key step in its independent journey. The name change sparked legal and ownership debates, including trademark issues and possible Chinese involvement.

NewJeans Transforms Into NJZ Amid Contract Dispute

The group formerly known as NewJeans, consisting of Minji, Hani, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein, has officially rebranded as NJZ. This change follows their ongoing contract dispute with ADOR. On January 7, they unveiled their new name through social media. The group’s SNS account, previously named @jeanzforfree, has also been renamed to NJZ_Official. This announcement came about two weeks after they publicly invited fans to suggest a new name. The members expressed their excitement, stating, “NJZ is our new identity, and we can’t wait for the incredible journey ahead in 2025.”

NJZ to Make First Appearance at ComplexCon in Hong Kong

Along with the name reveal, NJZ announced their participation in Complex Live, a side event of the global street fashion and culture festival ComplexCon in Hong Kong next month. Minji shared her excitement, saying, “This will be NJZ’s first performance under our new name. It’s a special moment, and I can’t wait to showcase our music to fans worldwide.” The event will mark their first public appearance since their contract dispute with ADOR.

NewJeans Contract Dispute Sparks Legal Battle Over NJZ

Since declaring their contract termination with ADOR in November 2024, the members have refrained from using the name NewJeans in official appearances. In response, ADOR has filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of their exclusive contracts and has also requested an injunction to prevent the group from signing new endorsement deals. This legal battle continues to unfold, raising questions about the future of NJZ.

NJZ Name Change Raises Trademark Concerns

News of NJZ’s name change quickly sparked debate on the Korean online community MLBPARK. Some users argued that NJZ closely resembles “NewJeans” and could lead to trademark disputes. Others countered that NJZ is pronounced differently and has a distinct spelling. However, because NJZ is widely perceived as an abbreviation of NewJeans, legal conflicts over the trademark seem inevitable.

NJZ Ownership Speculation Fuels Further Debate

Another heated discussion emerged regarding the Instagram account that first revealed NJZ’s name, which is linked to complexchinese. This led to speculation that the group might be moving under a Chinese agency. Korean fans expressed concern that if NJZ falls under Chinese ownership, they would no longer be considered a K-pop girl group. Some pointed out that NJZ is currently affiliated with Complex Networks, a company headquartered in New York. However, others argued that even if the company is based in the U.S., it could still be owned by Chinese investors. Additionally, rumors suggest that HYBE may demand a massive termination fee of approximately 600 billion KRW ($414 million), making it difficult for any agency outside of China to take them in.

NJZ’s transformation and legal battles continue to be a hot topic, with fans and industry insiders closely watching how their independent journey unfolds.

NewJeans Parents Open Social Media Amid Contract Dispute

NewJeans parents opened a social media account to share their stance in the contract dispute with ADOR. They said HYBE and ADOR control media, making it hard for their view to be reported accurately.

Here’s a link to MLBPARK.

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