NewJeans attends 39th Golden Disc Awards at Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka on January 4, 2025 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by HLL/Imazins via Getty Images)
ImaZins via Getty Images
After HYBE’s breaking news late on November 12 local time that two members of NewJeans were returning to the company’s ADOR label, with the remaining three members seemingly also on their way back to the agency, the conglomerate’s stock rose on the first day of trading following the news. HYBE shares shot up on November 13, after closing the previous day at 291,500 Korean won (approximately $198.19) and closing on Thursday at 304,000 KRW ($206.69) on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) for a gain of nearly 4.5% on the day.
Nearly two weeks ago, on October 30, when HYBE scored a favorable ruling in its long-running legal battle between the K-pop group, shares jumped even higher with over 5% on the day, with the momentum leading to the stock’s highest price for the year around 342,500 KRW (approximately $232.86) on KOSPI with all investors seemingly excited about the girl group’s future back at their original label home. At that time, the legal representatives for NewJeans announced that the group would immediately appeal the decision.
The Latest on NewJeans: ADOR ‘Checking’ on Minji, Hanni & Danielle; Min Hee-jin Weighs In
On November 12, ADOR shared an official statement with the media, stating that NewJeans members Haerin and Hyein had “decided to continue their activities with ADOR” following discussions with their parents and the label itself. The pair are NewJeans’ youngest members at 19 and 17 years old, respectively.
While independent reports circulated that Minji, Hanni and Danielle had all announced their decision to return to ADOR through their lawyers, the HYBE subsidiary label has not officially confirmed the news. ADOR shared in a comment that “We are checking whether the three members intend to return” via its global communications.
ADOR’s former CEO and NewJeans creative director, Min Hee-jin, released an official statement on November 13, sharing that she supports the group’s return and hopes they will remain a five-member group. Min also emphasized that her legal battles between HYBE — including HYBE alleging a breach of trust from Min while the executive alleges a breach of contract over label stake and payments — should remain separate from NewJeans’ situation.
In September, Min appeared in person at the Seoul Central District Court for her first court appearance since the dispute with HYBE began last year. According to local reports, the five-hour session saw the conglomerate attempting to confirm the termination of the shareholder agreement. At the same time, Min demanded payment under an option to contractually sell her shares back to the company, estimated to be worth around 26 billion KRW (approximately $17.8 million today). Min will be questioned again on November 27, with arguments set to wrap up in December, and a ruling expected by January 2026.
What’s Next for NewJeans
While ADOR looks to officially confirm the positions for the three remaining members of NewJeans, a legal representative for NewJeans shared that Danielle is currently in Antarctica, which may make communication difficult for the coming days.
The most likely course of action is for Haerin and Hyein to continue with brand endorsement work. Haerin was named a global ambassador for Dior in 2023, while Hyein was appointed a global house ambassador for Louis Vuitton in 2022. Whether through local and overseas events, campaigns, or photoshoots, reigniting the brand relationships that began while the stars were under ADOR feels like a quick way to kickstart their return.
What’s Next for HYBE
Yunah, Wonhee, Minju, Iroha and Moka of girl group ILLIT pose for a photocall for Rockfish Weatherwear X Susan Fang collection launching event on September 29, 2025 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/WireImage)
WireImage
With less than two months to go until the end of the year, HYBE has several releases still scheduled for its artists including a new single album Not Cute Anymore from girl group ILLIT out later this month. The upcoming 2025 MAMA Awards also shared that HYBE male groups BOYNEXTDOOR and CORTIS will open the first day of the ceremony in a performance with the show host and actor-singer Park Bo Gum alongside fellow boy band TREASURE. They’ll deliver a reimagined version of the traditional Korean song “Kwaejina Ching Ching” live in Hong Kong.
Next year will also be an important one for HYBE, as it has confirmed BTS’ highly anticipated comeback for March 2026. Meanwhile, SEVENTEEN members Seungkwan and DK have recently confirmed that they will be releasing music in a duo sub-unit in January 2026. The combo would be the boy band’s fifth splinter group following the trio BSS (made up of Seungkwan, DK and Hoshi), JxW (Jeonghan and Wonwoo), HxW (Hoshi and Woozi), and CxM (S.Coups and Mingyu), the latter of which sent their Hype Vibes EP to No. 71 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
HYBE has also shared plans for new boy-band and girl-group projects with collaborators like Geffen Records and producer Ryan Tedder, a member of OneRepublic, set to come out in the new year. HYBE’s stock is up more than 54% year-to-date.
HYBE’s stock is up more than 54% year-to-date.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbenjamin/2025/11/13/hybe-stock-shoot-up-with-news-of-newjeans-return-to-company/
