NewJeans Terminate Their Contract With HYBE

Earlier this month, NewJeans sent a certification of content to ADOR, a HYBE subsidiary, demanding that the company rectify breaches of their exclusive contract within 14 days or face contract termination. Shortly after the 14-day deadline expired, on November 28, the group held an emergency press conference, officially announcing their departure from ADOR, as well as HYBE.

During the press conference, the members made the following points:

• All five members of NewJeans will be departing from the company.

• They do not anticipate incurring penalties, as they believe they did not violate their exclusive contract.

• The group intends to fight for the "NewJeans" name.

• They plan to release new music next year or as soon as possible.

• NewJeans intends to honor their current schedule commitments and brand deals.

[NewJeans' full statement]

Trigger Warning: the following content contains the mentions of “sexual assault.”

MADEIN’s Gaeun Accuses CEO, Park Jung Sang, Of Sexual Assault

According to a report by JTBC, following a Madein performance in October, Gaeun brought her boyfriend to the dormitory, leading the CEO, Park Jung Sang, to reprimand her. During the confrontation, he proposed she act as his "girlfriend for a day" to continue her career. After that, the CEO reportedly locked her in his office and groped her.

Just six days after the accusation, 143 Entertainment, Madein's label, removed Gaeun from the group and claimed her allegations to be false.

It is unclear whether the idol has filed a formal police report against the CEO, but we hope she receives justice.

This Week’s Notable Achievements

• ATEEZ, BTS Jimin, BTS Jungkook, ENHYPEN, ILLIT, LE SSERAFIM, SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, and TXT have been nominated for the 2024 Billboard Music Awards in more than one category.

• ATEEZ's recent album, "GOLDEN HOUR: Part 2," debuts at #1 on the Billboard 200, while "HAPPY" by Jin (BTS) takes the #3 spot on the chart. ENHYPEN’s ROMANCE: UNTOLD also re-entered the list at #7.

Upcoming Tours, Events, & Performances

• EXO SUHO is scheduled to headline Kota Kinabalu Coundown 2025 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on December 31, 2024.

• Kang Daniel has been announced as part of the 2025 Waterbomb Festival Manila lineup via the Waterbomb Manila official X account.

• BABYMONSTER has announced dates for their first world tour "HELLO MONSTERS IN JAPAN."

• Stray Kids has added new dates in London, Paris, and Santiago for their world tour, "dominATE."

• ROSÉ's first solo album, "Rosie," will feature listening parties worldwide.

• SHINee's Taemin has announced European dates for his "Ephemeral Gaze" tour.

ICYMI:

• fromis_9's exclusive contract with Pledis Entertainment, a HYBE subsidiary, ends on December 31, 2024. The group has decided not to renew their contract. Loossemble, formerly known as LOONA, has also terminated their contract with their label, CTDENM. On the other hand, (G)I-DLE have renewed their contract with Cube Entertainment.

• BTS' J-Hope will star in MBC’s "I Live Alone." While filming has been completed, the release date for the episode has not yet been announced.

Our Favorite Music From This Week

Silly Silky's EP, "Debut" (not her debut album), ended up being one of the best releases of the week with its six dreamy and vibey songs, all written, produced, arranged, and sung by Silly Silky herself.

WayV's "FREQUENCY" was quite an unexpected release, but its 90s/2000s boyband sound made the songs top-tier. The track "Filthy Rich," in particular, stood out the most with its hint of Latin influences.

SEVENTEEN continued their I-love-my-team-I-love-my-crew agenda with their song "Shohikigen," a sequel to last year's Japanese single, "Ima." From the melodious tune to the meaningful lyrics and the cinematic MV, this song was a masterpiece, to say the least.

V's surprise single, "Winter Ahead," a jazzy, slightly melancholic, and extremely cozy track, seems to serve as an epilogue to the artist's last album, "Blue," and is the perfect song to welcome winter.

Next Week’s Comeback Schedule

Sunday, December 1, 2024

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Monday, December 2, 2024

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Tuesday, December 3, 2024

• NINE.i: 1st Single “蜃気楼“

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

• VVS: 3rd Single “Nothing Lasts Forever“

Thursday, December 5, 2024

• CRAVITY: Single Album “FIND THE ORBIT“

Friday, December 6, 2024

• ROSÉ (BLACKPINK): 1st Studio Album “Rosie“

• V (BTS) & Bing Crosby: Track “White Christmas“

• TWICE: 14th Mini Album “STRATEGY“

• TEMPEST: 2nd Japan Album “BUBBLE GUM“

Saturday, December 7, 2024

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— Javeria Yousuf

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