NewJeans "changes name and fortune" under BANA, a surprising move against ADOR?

Rumors are swirling that NJZ ( NewJeans) will join BANA amid its contract dispute with ADOR. The special relationship between NJZ and BANA makes the company a potential choice, although there are still many challenges and legal risks.

According to the Korea Herald, NJZ (formerly NewJeans) is reportedly joining Beasts And Natives Alike (BANA), a well-known record label in the Korean music industry. BANA is home to many of the group's hit songs, such as "Attention", "Hype Boy", "Ditto", and "OMG". These songs have made a strong impression on K-pop music lovers.

However, when Korea Herald contacted BANA representatives on February 11, 2025, the company refused to comment on the signing of a contract with NJZ. However, BANA neither denied nor confirmed the rumor, making the speculation even more confusing. The ambiguous signals from the company have made the group's fans skeptical and curious about NJZ's future.

Things became even clearer when on February 7, NJZ member Hyein shared in a social media live broadcast that the group would be announcing a new management company in the near future. She also reassured fans, "Don't worry too much, we will announce a new management company soon."

In addition, Hanni also made fans more curious when she posted a message on the group's Instagram on February 10. She said, "It may take some time to get used to working live here," implying that the group is adjusting to the new working environment, while also raising the possibility that NJZ has found a new home after leaving ADOR.

BANA is a company that has close ties to the members of NJZ. The creators within the company, especially 250 (Lee Ho Hyeong) and FRNK (Park Jinsu), are the ones who created many of NewJeans' hit songs, playing a major role in the group's success. These two have been companions in NJZ's musical journey, starting with "Attention" in 2020.

BANA CEO Kim Ki Hyun also has a close relationship with Min Hee Jin, the former CEO of ADOR who founded NewJeans. Min Hee Jin and Kim Ki Hyun worked together at SM Entertainment in the early 2010s, and their relationship is believed to be a factor in the speculation that NJZ would join BANA. Min Hee Jin's successful collaboration with BANA in creating music for NewJeans further increases the likelihood that NJZ will seek out the agency.

The relationship between NJZ and ADOR, their former management company, is currently strained. On November 29, 2024, the group announced the termination of their exclusive contract with ADOR, citing the company's failure to fulfill its contractual obligations. ADOR immediately filed a lawsuit in court, requesting that the validity of the contract be verified and that the group not sign any advertising contracts with any third parties.

Despite the unresolved contract dispute, NJZ has continued to be inactive, including creating a new Instagram account called "jeanzforfree", which was later changed to "njz_official". The members also announced that they would be releasing a new song on March 23, 2025 at ComplexCon in Hong Kong, which further fueled the audience's curiosity about the group's future.

With their latest moves, including changing their group name and announcing new music, NJZ is generating a lot of attention and expectations from fans. Despite facing major challenges from both the law and their former management company, the group remains steadfast on their path.

The big question now is: Will NJZ actually join BANA, and if so, how will that affect the group's career? Let's wait and see what happens next from this group in the near future.

NewJeans officially changed its name, immediately suspected of copying aespa's logo Keng13:27:50 08/02/2025According to the Koreaherald, the members of K-pop girl group NewJeans - Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, Hyein - have changed the group's name to NJZ and announced their first independent activities, including a performance at an upcoming event in Hong Kong (China).