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New York Times
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
NewJeans Had Planned a Rebirth. The Performance Ended in Tears.
For most of the last three years, the most clever, artful and progressive act in K-pop has been NewJeans, a five-member girl group — Danielle, Haerin, Hanni, Hyein and Minji — with an almost preternatural musical and aesthetic sophistication. With one elegantly rendered chart-topping single after another, the artists, who range in age from 16 to 20, seemed invincible. Which is why the group's announcement, last November, that it wished to terminate its contract with its label and management agency, Ador — a sublabel of the K-pop conglomerate Hybe — was such a watershed moment. NewJeans said that its differences with the company were irreconcilable, and that it would move on separately. Ador took exception, leading to back-and-forth legal fusillades. (A lawsuit about the validity of the contract will begin with a hearing on April 3.) Last month, NewJeans' members announced they were taking on a new name, NJZ, and that the group would perform for the first time under that moniker at ComplexCon Hong Kong, which took place this past weekend. Two days before the performance, though, the Seoul Central District court approved an injunction requested by Ador that precluded NewJeans from participating in or initiating any new commercial activity as NJZ. A representative for the group said that it would appeal. Ominously, a statement from Ador said it would have representatives at the Hong Kong show: 'We will be fully present at ComplexCon this weekend to guarantee the performance is presented under the NewJeans name. We eagerly anticipate meeting with the artists for a heartfelt conversation at the earliest opportunity.' This was a fraught context in which to deliver a memorable performance. The second installment of ComplexCon Hong Kong, a three-day streetwear and music festival, drew tens of thousands of chaotically dressed young people to AsiaWorld-Expo, a humongous convention center by the airport. The performance would headline the final night's concert. Anticipation was high. From the moment the doors opened on Sunday, fans decked out in various microgenerations of NewJeans merchandise — the Takashi Murakami collaboration, the Hiroshi Fujiwara collaboration — had raced to form a line for the NJZ merchandise booth, where they clamored to buy T-shirts, photo cards, pens and stickers. Hundreds of admirers — 'Bunnies' is the name for the fandom — wrote messages of support in marker on the wall of the booth. By 9 p.m., over 10,000 politely buzzing enthusiasts filled the convention center's arena, many of them waving neon bunny signs with NJZ in the middle. Shuzo, the Japanese D.J. who was up just before the group, hadn't even made it off the stage at the end of his listless set before the crowd started chanting 'NJZ! NJZ!' Murakami and a handful of South Korean rap stars milled about in the V.I.P. section. Here and there, audience members made their feelings about Hybe known, in unflattering language. Each member of NewJeans emerged to perform a cover song, one after the next, as if they couldn't be seen together. First came Danielle, with a sprightly and sassy performance of TLC's 'No Scrubs.' She was feeling 'jittery,' she said, and told the crowd that she and her bandmates would persevere 'no matter what our group name is, no matter what kind of tough time we've been through.' Then came Minji, with a testy take on Upsahl's 'Smile for the Camera,' a charged pop-rock song about chafing at authority. She chomped down hard when singing the song's indignant chorus: 'You tell us we ain't good enough? / Well really you're just out of touch / We might be young, we might be too much / But we're not gonna shut up and smile for the camera.' Then came a pair of soulful turns: Haerin performed a light-touch version of 'Dontcha' by the Internet, followed by Hyein, confidently stalking the stage in a fur jacket, singing SWV's 'Use Your Heart' (recently prominently sampled on Kendrick Lamar's 'Heart Pt. 6'). The exultant conclusion to these one-offs was Hanni's peppy take on 'My Boo,' the 1996 Atlanta bass anthem by Ghost Town DJs (though she suggested that the crowd was more likely to know it from the viral Running Man challenge from 2016). The performances were solid, a little tentative perhaps — the group hadn't been onstage in some months, and this was a set list chosen as if by a careful lawyer. There were no NewJeans songs: not the ecstatically sweet 'Super Shy,' the rousing thumper 'ETA,' the casually seductive 'Supernatural,' the offhandedly coy 'Cookie.' (The group did debut one new song together: 'Pit Stop,' which pulsed with intense drum 'n' bass fervor, and which its members accompanied with the sort of easefully precise choreography they've become known for.) While on the surface the set was casual and unbothered, it wasn't hard to sense something turbulent and emotionally taxed just underneath — atypical for the deeply polished group. It was as if the performers were communicating with their faithful in a kind of code. After the solo turns, the five women changed into coordinated outfits, as if reassuming their shared identity. Minji wore tights that read Chapter NJZ. They spoke to the crowd gingerly, but were clearly holding back. At one point they formed a semicircle, clasped hands, and engaged in a little collective primal scream therapy: '3, 2, 1, aaarrrrgggghhhh!' Before leaving the stage, they stood together and read prepared statements, in English and Korean, for eight minutes. The members repeatedly insisted that they respected the court's decision, and that they were effectively going on hiatus until some of the open legal questions were resolved. What was intended to be the first NJZ performance appeared likely to also be the last, at least for now. 'It feels too hard to keep going at this pace, and as strong as we are trying to stay, it is honestly taking a bit of a mental and emotional toll on us,' Danielle said. 'However, this doesn't mean that we are going to give up.' Added Hanni, 'It's about protecting ourselves so that we can come back even stronger.' After each statement, the crowd cheered. Multiple members shed tears. The words were an embrace, but the tone was that of a goodbye. It was as distressing a moment as seen at any concert in recent memory. Perhaps the shape of the angst is different, but we have seen pop stars wither in plain sight before. Take the public unraveling of Britney Spears following years of paparazzi aggression, tabloid dissection and management disputes; or a despondent Justin Bieber literally performing in a cage, as if his alienation weren't obvious enough. The invisible costs of pop superstardom are often unfathomably high, and it was difficult not to think of cautionary moments like those when faced with a group of performers so clearly fraying under pressure. This feels especially pointed in the South Korean entertainment industry, where performers labor under almost impossible standards of perfection with an expectation of emotional blankness. That the members of NewJeans spoke out on their own behalf at all is a rare act of boldness. That it might cost them their ability to continue performing feels unfathomable and cruel. Around a half-hour after the show, the vast convention hall was practically empty and most of the vendors' displays were being dismantled. The one that had been selling NJZ merch was still intact, though. Just a handful of people were around when Hanni, Minji, Hyein, Haerin and Danielle emerged from a side door surrounded by security guards. They looked downcast, drained. They walked over to survey their booth and see up close what their fans had left them. For around five minutes, they took in the messages, signed the wall in a couple of places, and then posed for photos in which they mustered some long-practiced defiantly joyful faces. Then they dropped their heads again and made for the exit, not knowing what awaited on the other side.
South China Morning Post
24-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Super March turns events into business opportunities and unforgettable visitor experiences
The eyes of the world have been fixed on Hong Kong during March as it celebrates the vibrant 'Super March' – a promotional campaign launched by Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to highlight the city's distinctive allure with a series of themed marketing initiatives tied to the month's mega-events. Advertisement The month started with a star-studded official opening ceremony of the city's Kai Tak Sports Park on March 1. The state-of-the-art, 28-hectare (70-acre) venue for sports, entertainment, tourism and exhibition extravaganzas was created on the site of Hong Kong's former Kai Tak international airport on the Kowloon waterfront. Facilities include the 55,000 all-seat Kai Tak Stadium – the new home of the Hong Kong Sevens. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu believes the HK$30 billion (US$3.9 billion) park will help to foster the city as 'a capital of mega-events'. He also says Hong Kong's mega-events during the first half of this year are expected to attract 840,000 visitors and generate HK$3.3 billion in spending. Yet Super March is not just about promoting the numerous events taking place in Hong Kong. The campaign aims to leverage these events to invigorate local neighbourhoods, enhance visitors' experiences and publicise the city's unique charm globally through improved event experiences, special travel offers and worldwide promotions. Visitors enjoy a game of mahjong and experience an authentic taste of Hong Kong's social and neighbourhood cultures during ComplexCon Hong Kong. Photo: Hong Kong Tourism Board Dane Cheng, HKTB's executive director, says that the campaign has been tailored to ensure it appeals to the widest possible audience by combining publicity for the various mega-events with precise marketing, arranged thematically by date, festival and event type.
NBC News
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
K-pop band NewJeans announces hiatus after legal setback with record label
HONG KONG — K-pop girl group NewJeans has announced a pause on all activities days after a South Korean court ruled against its five members in a long-running dispute with record label Ador. The band, one of the top-selling acts in the world, said Sunday night during a show in Hong Kong that it might be their 'last performance for a little while,' sending shock waves through the audience. Last year, NewJeans announced a split from Ador after accusing the label of 'mistreatment,' including 'deliberate miscommunications' and workplace harassment. The band members also renamed themselves NJZ and began to organize their own activities. Ador, a subsidiary of Hybe, the South Korean entertainment giant behind the global K-pop sensation BTS, denied the allegations and filed an injunction in January to assert its position as the group's management agency. On Friday, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of Ador, upholding an injunction against NewJeans carrying out independent performances or solo commercial activities. The group said it respected the court decision but would challenge it. In their first public appearance since the ruling, NewJeans — performing as NJZ — debuted a new song called 'Pit Stop' on Sunday night in front of a crowd of more than 11,000 fans at the ComplexCon Hong Kong festival. But the fans' excitement didn't last long, with the group making a shocking announcement. 'Out of respect for the court's decision, we've decided to pause all our activities for now,' said member Pham Ngoc Han, who goes by Hanni. One after another, the five members — Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein — read a letter in both English and Korean to their fans at AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong's largest live music venue. The pause wasn't 'an easy decision, but we believe this is something we need to do at this moment,' the group said. 'But that doesn't mean we're going to give up. We're going to keep going,' they said. Despite the court ruling, they said they did not regret the choice to break from Ador 'at all' and that they had to 'speak up to protect the values' that they believe in. The group thanked fans for their support and promised to come back 'no matter what the circumstances.' In response, Ador expressed 'regret' over NewJeans' decision to perform under a new name and 'unilaterally' declare a suspension of activities. 'We will do our best for NewJeans in accordance with our valid exclusive contract. We hope to meet with the artist as soon as possible to discuss the future,' Ador said in a statement Monday, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency. The label previously said the contract was valid until July 2029. NBC News has reached out to Ador's parent company Hybe for comment. NewJeans' dispute with Ador began in August 2024 when Ador replaced Min Hee-jin, the group's executive producer and mentor, with an HR specialist. After failing to secure Min's reinstatement, the group announced that they would terminate their contracts and leave Ador. Hanni, a member of the girl group, accused Hybe of deliberately undermining the band in testimony before South Korean lawmakers last year. NewJeans debuted in 2022 and is known for songs combining pop and R&B music. The group was named 'one of the most recognized and most influential groups in pop' by Billboard in 2023. It also broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest K-pop act to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify, surpassing K-pop veterans BTS and Blackpink.
CNN
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
K-pop band NewJeans announces hiatus amid ‘mental and emotional toll' of legal battle
K-pop band NewJeans played a sold-out show and debuted a new song in Hong Kong on Sunday — just days after a South Korean court upheld an injunction prohibiting the group from carrying out independent musical or commercial activities. But the band's members then shocked an 11,000-strong crowd at the ComplexCon Hong Kong festival by announcing they are now taking a break 'out of respect' for the temporary ruling. On Friday, the Seoul Central District Court sided with record company Ador in its long-running legal dispute with NewJeans, saying the band's attempt to rename itself and break away from the label could 'seriously damage' the latter's reputation. Speaking on stage, band member Pham Ngoc Han, who goes by Hanni, said the group's decision to 'pause all activities… wasn't easy,' but that 'we believe this is something we need to do.' Carrying prepared messages on slips of paper, each member addressed their fans (who are affectionately known as 'bunnies') in both Korean and English. Audible disappointment rippled through Hong Kong's AsiaWorld-Expo, where the band was performing for the first time since attempting to rebrand as NJZ last month. Danielle Marsh, who goes by Danni, said on stage: 'As strong as we are trying to stay, it is honestly taking a bit of a mental and emotional toll on us.' The five-piece group has repeatedly claimed its contract with Ador is void amid allegations of mistreatment. The band's members have accused the label of 'manipulation,' 'deliberate miscommunications' and workplace harassment. Ador has meanwhile asserted that NewJeans remains under contract, arguing that it cannot carry out entertainment activities without the label's approval. The record company — which is a subsidiary of Hybe, the entertainment giant behind K-pop acts including BTS — has also disputed allegations of mistreatment, telling CNN via email that most of NewJeans' claims 'have arisen from misunderstandings.' The lawsuit filed by Ador will be heard in full on April 3. In a conciliatory statement, shared with CNN prior to the band's Hong Kong show, Ador expressed support for the performance — on condition it took place under the name NewJeans, not NJZ. The group appeared to approach the matter delicately, with neither moniker appearing on screens flanking the stage, despite the festival's other acts being explicitly named. But the name NJZ did briefly appear as part of visuals projected behind the group, while some band members wore tights saying 'Chapter NJZ.' A booth on the festival grounds meanwhile sold merchandise with different NJZ logos, including plushie keychains, hats and T-shirts, with some dedicated fans spending hours in line to purchase the items. Danni addressed the issue on stage, saying: 'No matter what our name is, no matter what kind of tough time we've been through, I feel like to be able to share a moment like this with everyone, is what we live for.' The band also appeared to avoid playing songs from its back catalog, with each member performing solo covers of other artists before coming together to debut a new song, 'Pit Stop.' On X, a hashtag referencing the band's 're-debut' had over 50,000 posts within hours of the show. Fans at the AsiaWorld-Arena meanwhile expressed support for the band — and disappointment with NewJeans' planned hiatus. 'I hope they can keep staying strong, fight this battle well,' said 25-year-old fan Soie So. 'We know this is going to be hard to win. To be honest, at that moment (when the band announced a pause on activities) I just felt very touched. I thought they're very brave.' But despite fans' backing, Friday's ruling is a major setback for the group, according to legal experts familiar with the case. Speaking to CNN on Friday, Sangrock Kho, a lawyer at South Korea's Law Firm Pil, said the court's decision to uphold the injunction suggests NewJeans' legal case is 'either extremely weak or virtually nonexistent.' 'Under the Korean judicial system, in cases like this where an agency files an injunction to suspend an artist's activities, the proceedings are generally very favorable to the artist,' he said over email. 'This is because courts are usually extremely reluctant to issue injunctions that could cause irreparable harm to an artist's career by restricting their freedom of occupation. 'Given that, the fact that the court has nevertheless issued this type of injunction suggests that, after reviewing all the claims, evidence, and extensive presentation materials … the court concluded that NewJeans' argument — that the breakdown in trust was entirely caused by Hybe and Ador — lacks sufficient legal basis.' NewJeans emerged as one of South Korea's most successful pop acts after storming to the top of the country's charts with debut single 'Attention' in 2022. The band achieved international success less than a year later with EP 'Get Up' (featuring the crossover hit 'Super Shy'), which reached number 1 on the US Billboard 200. This article was updated with more concert details. CNN's Oscar Holland and Gawon Bae contributed to this story.
CNN
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
K-pop band NewJeans announces hiatus amid ‘mental and emotional toll' of legal battle
K-pop band NewJeans played a sold-out show and debuted a new song in Hong Kong on Sunday — just days after a South Korean court upheld an injunction prohibiting the group from carrying out independent musical or commercial activities. But the band's members then shocked an 11,000-strong crowd at the ComplexCon Hong Kong festival by announcing they are now taking a break 'out of respect' for the temporary ruling. On Friday, the Seoul Central District Court sided with record company Ador in its long-running legal dispute with NewJeans, saying the band's attempt to rename itself and break away from the label could 'seriously damage' the latter's reputation. Speaking on stage, band member Pham Ngoc Han, who goes by Hanni, said the group's decision to 'pause all activities… wasn't easy,' but that 'we believe this is something we need to do.' Carrying prepared messages on slips of paper, each member addressed their fans (who are affectionately known as 'bunnies') in both Korean and English. Audible disappointment rippled through Hong Kong's AsiaWorld-Expo, where the band was performing for the first time since attempting to rebrand as NJZ last month. Danielle Marsh, who goes by Danni, said on stage: 'As strong as we are trying to stay, it is honestly taking a bit of a mental and emotional toll on us.' The five-piece group has repeatedly claimed its contract with Ador is void amid allegations of mistreatment. The band's members have accused the label of 'manipulation,' 'deliberate miscommunications' and workplace harassment. Ador has meanwhile asserted that NewJeans remains under contract, arguing that it cannot carry out entertainment activities without the label's approval. The record company — which is a subsidiary of Hybe, the entertainment giant behind K-pop acts including BTS — has also disputed allegations of mistreatment, telling CNN via email that most of NewJeans' claims 'have arisen from misunderstandings.' The lawsuit filed by Ador will be heard in full on April 3. In a conciliatory statement, shared with CNN prior to the band's Hong Kong show, Ador expressed support for the performance — on condition it took place under the name NewJeans, not NJZ. The group appeared to approach the matter delicately, with neither moniker appearing on screens flanking the stage, despite the festival's other acts being explicitly named. But the name NJZ did briefly appear as part of visuals projected behind the group, while some band members wore tights saying 'Chapter NJZ.' A booth on the festival grounds meanwhile sold merchandise with different NJZ logos, including plushie keychains, hats and T-shirts, with some dedicated fans spending hours in line to purchase the items. Danni addressed the issue on stage, saying: 'No matter what our name is, no matter what kind of tough time we've been through, I feel like to be able to share a moment like this with everyone, is what we live for.' The band also appeared to avoid playing songs from its back catalog, with each member performing solo covers of other artists before coming together to debut a new song, 'Pit Stop.' On X, a hashtag referencing the band's 're-debut' had over 50,000 posts within hours of the show. Fans at the AsiaWorld-Arena meanwhile expressed support for the band — and disappointment with NewJeans' planned hiatus. 'I hope they can keep staying strong, fight this battle well,' said 25-year-old fan Soie So. 'We know this is going to be hard to win. To be honest, at that moment (when the band announced a pause on activities) I just felt very touched. I thought they're very brave.' But despite fans' backing, Friday's ruling is a major setback for the group, according to legal experts familiar with the case. Speaking to CNN on Friday, Sangrock Kho, a lawyer at South Korea's Law Firm Pil, said the court's decision to uphold the injunction suggests NewJeans' legal case is 'either extremely weak or virtually nonexistent.' 'Under the Korean judicial system, in cases like this where an agency files an injunction to suspend an artist's activities, the proceedings are generally very favorable to the artist,' he said over email. 'This is because courts are usually extremely reluctant to issue injunctions that could cause irreparable harm to an artist's career by restricting their freedom of occupation. 'Given that, the fact that the court has nevertheless issued this type of injunction suggests that, after reviewing all the claims, evidence, and extensive presentation materials … the court concluded that NewJeans' argument — that the breakdown in trust was entirely caused by Hybe and Ador — lacks sufficient legal basis.' NewJeans emerged as one of South Korea's most successful pop acts after storming to the top of the country's charts with debut single 'Attention' in 2022. The band achieved international success less than a year later with EP 'Get Up' (featuring the crossover hit 'Super Shy'), which reached number 1 on the US Billboard 200. This article was updated with more concert details. CNN's Oscar Holland and Gawon Bae contributed to this story.
