The group NewJeans has reached its 3rd anniversary since debut. During that time, they lost 1 year and 3 months of stage presence. The gap is expected to grow longer, and there is no end in sight.
NewJeans debuted on July 22, 2022. With every song released, including 'Attention', 'Ditto', 'OMG', 'Hype Boy', 'Super Shy', 'ETA', and 'ASAP', they achieved success and quickly rose to become one of the top girl groups in South Korea.
Composed of Minji, Hani, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein, NewJeans has received much love thanks to their addictive choreography and the vibrant performances of the members. Their easy-listening songs appeal to people of all ages, further enhancing their charm.
The youthful, high-teen concept unique to NewJeans has resonated with fans and the public alike, bringing a sense of freshness. Their music, infused with trendy and hip vibes as well as retro elements, has solidified their appeal and direction.
Since their debut, they have not only topped music shows but have consistently ranked high with every release, establishing themselves as a 'guaranteed success' group. Additionally, they have made remarkable achievements on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart with 'Ditto' (82nd), 'OMG' (74th), 'Super Shy' (48th), 'ETA' (81st), and 'Cool With You' (93rd), rapidly growing into a global popular group.
The reason they gained so much attention upon debut is largely due to Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of their agency, Ador. NewJeans is her first girl group after settling at HYBE, which attracted a lot of interest.
After NewJeans debuted, attention turned to both the group and Min Hee-jin, who continued to generate buzz by appearing on tvN's entertainment program 'You Quiz'.
However, in April of last year, conflicts between Min Hee-jin and HYBE were revealed, causing everything related to NewJeans to come to a halt. Min Hee-jin faced allegations of attempting to seize control of Ador from HYBE and responded by building walls. This ultimately affected NewJeans, leading the members to decide to leave the agency alongside Min Hee-jin.
However, the court ruled in favor of Ador. The court granted an injunction against the agency's request to maintain its status and to prohibit the signing of advertising contracts, preventing NewJeans from engaging in independent activities.
While Ador expressed a positive attitude towards the court's willingness to mediate, NewJeans' side rejected the settlement, stating, "We have crossed an irreversible river." As a result, the members are currently spending time in limbo without any activities. It has been 1 year and 3 months since the outbreak of the so-called 'HYBE incident' between Min Hee-jin and HYBE. The members occasionally communicate through social media, but even that is not free. Communication through personal accounts of the members has come to a halt, separate from the official Ador account.
In particular, NewJeans' last album was the double single 'How Sweet' and 'Bubble Gum', released in May of last year. After that, their only release was the Japanese debut single 'Supernatural' in June. At that time, the release of these albums seemed uncertain due to the 'HYBE incident', but they proceeded with the release citing that the promotions had been planned long in advance.
For idol singers, active communication with fans is essential. The absence of various activities such as album releases, concerts, and fan meetings poses a significant disappointment and risk for fans. Furthermore, it greatly impacts the influence of the group NewJeans. The value of the name 'NewJeans' seems to be fading away.
Now, the term 'Xth anniversary' seems more fitting than 'Xth anniversary of debut' due to the gap.
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
