The popular girl group, formerly known as NewJeans, has rebranded as NJZ amid an ongoing legal battle with their label, Ador. The group, consisting of five members—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—will debut under their new name at the ComplexCon Hong Kong festival in March. This rebranding comes as a strategic move to transform a tumultuous period into a more exciting chapter for the group.
The 20-year-old member Hanni emphasized that NJZ aims to focus on their music rather than the legal dispute with Ador. She stated, "We are working a lot to resolve everything so that we can go back to normal." The legal entanglement began in September last year when the group accused Ador of bullying, harassment, and subterfuge. Following the accusations, NJZ requested the termination of their contract two months later.
In December, Ador filed a lawsuit against NJZ to confirm the validity of their exclusive contract. The company also sought a court injunction in January to prevent the group from signing independent advertising deals. NJZ responded by holding an emergency press conference announcing their exit from Ador and warning the agency to rectify breaches of their contract. Ador has denied all allegations and expressed regret over the press conference, stating:
"We regret that the press conference regarding the termination of the exclusive contract was planned and conducted without sufficient review, prior to receiving a response to the legal notice." – Ador
A preliminary court date for the injunction is set for April, with the lawsuit against Ador scheduled for May. Despite these legal challenges, NJZ remains determined to focus on their career and musical journey. The group has made it clear that they want to distance themselves from the legal strife overshadowing their accomplishments.
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