Controversy over NewJeans members opening new social media accounts

Controversy is spreading as members of the group NewJeans have opened new social networking service (SNS) accounts. Their agency, ADOR, has released an official stance on the matter, pointing to possible legal issues.

"NewJeans operates a dedicated platform and official SNS accounts such as Instagram, X, and Twitter to communicate with fans, and ADOR hopes that the members will continue to communicate through the existing official channels," the agency said in a statement released on the 18th."

The company also expressed concern that "all accounts not opened by ADOR were created without prior consultation in accordance with the exclusive contract, and there have been inquiries and protests from third parties such as advertisers regarding the posting of content on these accounts."

Earlier also emphasized the seriousness of the situation, saying, "These separate activities are subject to legal disputes, and we have asked our members and their legal representatives to be careful."

The controversy erupted when the members of NewJeans opened a new social media account named "jeanzforfree" on April 14 and began communicating with fans, raising concerns about their independent activities, especially in the midst of the ongoing conflict over the validity of their exclusive contract with Airdor.

While former ADOR representative Min Hee-jin appeared to support the members by liking the account's posts, ADOR pointed out that the account was in violation of the contract. The controversy escalated when it was revealed that luxury brand O had followed and then unfollowed the account.

Industry observers believe that this is likely to spark a new round of controversy surrounding the relationship between NewJeans and ADOR, as well as the future of advertising and fan engagement.