- NewJeans celebrated its fourth anniversary on July 21, 2026, with the release of a series of short videos and photos featuring the four remaining members: Hyein, Haerin, Hanni, and Minji.
- The video, titled '2026 Summer of NewJeans', was posted on the group's official YouTube channel at midnight without prior notice, marking their first group-based content in over a year.
- ADOR described the released content as commemorative and indicated that specific activity plans would be announced after discussions are finalized.
- In November 2024, NewJeans announced the termination of their contracts with ADOR, but the court sided with the agency, restricting the group's independent activities.
- By late 2025, members Hyein, Haerin, and Hanni returned to ADOR, while the agency terminated the contract of former member Danielle, and discussions regarding Minji's return were ongoing.
NewJeans marked their fourth anniversary with a surprise video titled "2026 Summer of NewJeans", featuring members Hyein, Haerin, Hanni, and Minji, signaling a potential return to the music scene after a prolonged hiatus due to legal disputes with their agency, ADOR.134
The group, which debuted on July 22, 2022, quickly rose to fame with hits like "Attention" and "Hype Boy", and reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in August 2023 with their EP "Get Up".
The recent video and accompanying photos were released without prior notice, marking the first group-based content in over a year. ADOR described the clips as “commemorative content” for fans, with plans for future activities to be announced once discussions are finalized.
The group had been on hiatus following a bitter dispute with ADOR over the dismissal of former CEO Min Hee-jin and the status of their contracts. In November 2024, they announced the termination of their contracts, but a court ruling favored ADOR, restricting the group's independent activities.
Despite the challenges, the new video has sparked speculation about a return to group activities, especially with the inclusion of Minji, who had been absent from previous content. “This is not the end. It’s the beginning,” said one member, reflecting the group's hopeful outlook.
The final mini-film features the four members joyfully reuniting, hinting at a bright future for NewJeans as they celebrate their anniversary with fans.
“The videos were released as 'commemorative content' to celebrate the fourth anniversary, as described by ADOR, who added that specific activity plans will be announced after discussions are finalized. The content features the four remaining members — Hyein, Haerin, Hanni, and Minji — but excludes former member Danielle.”
Forbes
