South Korean K-pop group NewJeans releases new photos and videos featuring four members—Minji, Hanni, Haerin and Hyein—sparking expectations of a possible return to music. The announcement comes on the group’s fourth anniversary of debut, with a video titled “2026 Summer of NewJeans” posted to the group’s official YouTube channel at midnight without prior notice, according to music industry sources. Additional photos appear on the group’s official homepage and Instagram account.
The latest content is described as the group’s first four-member, group-based release in about one year and four months. The development also draws attention in light of NewJeans’ ongoing disputes with its former agency, ADOR, including a bitter disagreement involving the dismissal of former CEO Min Hee-jin and questions about the group’s exclusive contracts.
After NewJeans announced in November 2024 that it was terminating its ADOR contracts, the court ruled in ADOR’s favor in both an injunction case and a main lawsuit, limiting the group’s independent activities. Reports add that members Haerin, Hyein and Hanni returned to ADOR last year following that ruling.
