SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - Danielle, a former member of NewJeans, made her first public appearance since being expelled and sued by her agency, offering little beyond emotional allegiance to her group and fans — and careful restraint.
In a nine-minute livestream titled “Dear Bunnies,” Danielle addressed the group’s fan base in a teary but measured message, avoiding direct accusations or legal arguments despite the escalating dispute with ADOR.
“I fought until the end to stay with the members,” she said, her voice breaking. “NewJeans will always remain in my heart.”
She framed the current turmoil not as closure but as transition, calling it “not the end, but a beginning,” and emphasized her enduring bond with both the group and its fandom.
“When I think of Bunnies, the first thing that comes to mind is their eyes,” Danielle said. “The moments we faced each other on stage — the feeling that our hearts stayed connected even when the music stopped — those memories quietly support me even now.”
Notably absent were any references to ADOR, its parent HYBE, or responsibility for the contract dispute. Instead, Danielle kept her remarks personal and forward-looking, saying that “many things are still in the process of being sorted out,” while underscoring that her emotional ties to NewJeans remain intact.
“I can say this with certainty: NewJeans is still in my heart,” she said. “Even if we stand in different places, we remain one in the same spirit.”
Her restrained appearance came after ADOR filed a lawsuit against Danielle and her associates, including her mother, seeking contractual penalties and damages reportedly exceeding 430 billion won. Former ADOR chief executive Min Hee-jin is also named in the case.
ADOR has said it terminated Danielle’s exclusive contract after determining she could no longer continue as a member of NewJeans or as an artist under the label, characterizing the split as leaving little room for reconciliation.
The group’s future without Danielle remains unresolved. A formal comeback has yet to be announced, as member Minji has not agreed to renew her contract with ADOR.
A HYBE official said the company is “not yet in a position to comment on NewJeans’ future activities” because discussions are ongoing, adding that it is “respecting Minji’s position and waiting for her response,” while confirming that Danielle is no longer in an artist–agency relationship following the contract termination.
Danielle closed the broadcast without outlining concrete plans, saying she hoped to continue sharing “music, silence or small moments” with fans in a sincere way.
Reactions among fans were divided following the livestream. Some welcomed Danielle’s reassurance and her continued outreach to fans, while others expressed uncertainty and concern over the limited information shared regarding her legal situation.
As ADOR presses ahead with legal action and uncertainty clouds NewJeans’ lineup, attention is shifting to Danielle’s next move — and whether her carefully calibrated message signals an attempt at reconciliation, or the opening phase of a broader legal and strategic counteroffensive.
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