LE SSERAFIM, NewJeans, and Ailit fandoms clash as return unfolds

There is controversy surrounding NewJeans’ comeback under ADORE. Following the returns of Hae Rin and Hyein, Minji, Daniel, and Hani also signaled their intent to return, but ADORE took a cautious stance, and fan backlash spread, leaving the situation in a fragile state. As of the 16th, ADORE has kept its position on the full return of all NewJeans members on hold.

On the 12th, ADORE officially announced the returns of Hae Rin and Hyein. ADORE said they would do their best to ensure smooth activities. However, Minji, Daniel, and Hani issued a separate statement through their legal representatives that they would return after careful consultations, but ADORE at that time said they were verifying the sincerity of their intent to return.

This comes as all NewJeans members have signaled a return under ADORE, though there appears to be differences of opinion among the members. The NewJeans members reportedly held a meeting with ADORE’s CEO Lee Do-kyung on the 11th, along with their guardians, excluding Hani who was abroad, and discussed a return under ADORE. But the public has noted that Hae Rin and Hyein announced their returns first via ADORE, while Minji, Daniel, and Hani issued statements separately afterward. ADORE’s cautious stance toward the latter trio’s return announcements is seen as reflecting the rift among the members. ADORE said they were coordinating individual interviews with the members to facilitate productive discussions.

Meanwhile, some LE SSERAFIM fans staged a truck protest in front of HYBE’s building in Yongsan on the 14th to oppose NewJeans’ return under ADORE. They voiced grievances about NewJeans and their fandom, including calls to separate LE SSERAFIM from NewJeans and accusations of harassment against LE SSERAFIM. The fan-related conflict has intensified. As the three fandoms around LE SSERAFIM and Ailit grow more heated, unverified rumors spread, seen as another warning sign.

Meanwhile, former ADORE CEO Min Hee-jin, who had been involved in the HYBE/ADORE dispute, voiced support for NewJeans’ return under ADORE. On the 13th, Min stated that the decision to return was likely reached after deep deliberation and conversation, and she said she respects and supports the choice. On the 15th, Min sent an additional statement to lawyer No Young-hee, saying “NewJeans is complete when there are five; each member’s color and voice comes together to form one complete image.” She also added, “Unnecessary confusion and misinterpretation do not help. The core is aimed at me, but do not involve the children in the process; they must be protected and not used. NewJeans exists when there are five.”