NewJeans faces contract- and process-related hurdles as LE SSERAFIM rebounds with 2025 releases and chart climbs.

Two K-Pop girl groups that debuted in 2022 have seen their fortunes diverge dramatically within a year. NewJeans filled Tokyo Dome with over 90,000 fans across a two-day event last year, while a protracted contracting dispute shadowed their return, as several members signaled a comeback under their original agency, ADOR. Yet, not all members were united, with some indicating a return without formal discussions with the label. In March, a court ruling favored ADOR’s injunction, signaling a setback to the group’s attempted termination of their contracts. Despite the legal turbulence, NewJeans paused all broadcasting activities, and their comeback plans have remained under negotiation. Meanwhile, LE SSERAFIM has shown a clear upturn in 2025, with their mini-album Hot delivering strong performance on domestic and international charts, including a top-five position on Melon’s Top Chart and a notable showing on the Billboard Hot 100. The group also earned a number of high-profile placements, including a top position on Japan’s Oricon daily singles chart, and a viral “Spaghetti Challenge” on TikTok. Compared to 2024, LE SSERAFIM’s trajectory illustrates a pronounced rebound, even as NewJeans’ path remains complicated by agency disputes and court actions. The feud among fans has intensified, with supporters from both sides fragmenting online and, at times, staging protests, underscoring the broader controversy surrounding these two defining acts in Korean pop. As both groups press forward, fans are urged to focus on the music and performances that first drew them to these artists, rather than getting swept up in internecine disputes.