Danielle of NewJeans Makes First Public Appearance After Contract Termination, Joins Briquette Volunteer Event

The contract dispute between K-pop girl group NewJeans and their agency ADOR has dragged on for nearly a year. Members Hyein and Haerin reconciled with the company in November, followed by the remaining three members withdrawing their appeals. However, on the 29th, ADOR announced the termination of its exclusive contract with member Danielle, adding that legal action may follow—drawing widespread attention.

On the same day, a netizen posted in the online community “NewJeans Gallery,” revealing that they had just participated in a volunteer activity alongside Danielle. Photos shared online showed Danielle wearing a beanie and mask, dressed in dark clothing and sneakers. Although she kept a low profile, she appeared highly engaged throughout the activity.

The netizen praised her dedication, writing: “She was one of the volunteers who worked tirelessly for two straight hours. She was a reliable and reassuring team member.” What surprised many was that after the activity, Danielle handed out snacks and chocolates, patiently posed for photos, and signed autographs with a smile. “She showed no sign of any emotion related to the contract termination. I only found out after leaving and seeing the news,” the post read.

It was reported that Danielle took part in the briquette volunteer campaign titled “Raising Korea’s Temperature by One Degree” alongside singer Sean. In fact, she had already joined the same initiative with Sean on November 22. At the time, Sean shared photos on Instagram and wrote: “Danielle’s first briquette volunteer experience. ‘It’s tiring, but it makes me happy.’ Step by step.”

Meanwhile, ADOR officially announced the termination of Danielle’s exclusive contract on the same day. The company stated that after the court ruling on the validity of the exclusive contracts, it had held multiple discussions with Minji, Hanni, Danielle, and their families. Hanni decided to respect the court’s decision and continue working with the company, while talks with Minji are still ongoing. Regarding Danielle, ADOR said it had concluded that “continued cooperation as a NewJeans member and ADOR artist is no longer feasible,” and therefore proceeded with the termination. The agency also emphasized that it would pursue legal responsibility against those involved in causing the dispute.