Chart-topping K-pop group NewJeans announced Thursday their decision to leave their label ADOR, accusing the company of “mistreatment”.

The news comes two weeks after the girl group sent an ultimatum to ADOR parent company HYBE — behind K-pop sensation BTS — telling the firm they would terminate their contract unless a set of demands was met.

“From midnight today, our contract will be terminated with ADOR,” member Minji said at a press conference.

NewJeans made their debut in 2022 and the K-pop phenomenon is among HYBE’s most successful groups.

Band member Hanni said Thursday the group has “faced mistreatment, not just towards us but also including our staff”, without elaborating.

NewJeans experienced “deliberate miscommunications and manipulation regarding multiple areas”, she said.

“This is not the type of work ethic we respect and not one we want to be a part of, and to continue working under a company with no intention of protecting NewJeans would only do us harm,” said Hanni.

ADOR did not immediately respond to AFP requests to comment on the announcement.

The band members said they would continue with their contractual obligations, but acknowledged they may no longer be able to use the name NewJeans.

“However, that doesn’t mean that we are giving up on the name at all,” said Danielle.

“We will continue to fight for NewJeans. NewJeans never die.”

The group’s demands addressed to HYBE included an apology for a comment by one of the company’s managers, who is accused by NewJeans of bullying, and the immediate reinstatement of their producer Min Hee-jin.

Min resigned last week from ADOR’s board of directors after HYBE accused her of breach of trust, which sparked a sprawling legal and PR battle.

– ‘Predetermined outcome’ –
Industry experts said the decision by NewJeans was expected.

“The contract termination lawsuit itself has been widely anticipated in the market, so today’s press conference, in a way, seems to have a predetermined outcome,” said Lim Soo-jin, an analyst at Daishin Securities.

“Entertainment analysts have generally excluded NewJeans-related projections from next year’s estimates, so the overall impact is not expected to be substantial,” he told AFP.

The hefty fee which NewJeans may have to pay will compensate for “financial loss” at the label, he added.

The K-pop group may have to face a contractual penalty of up to 620 billion won ($440 million) according to legal experts.

The band members, however, disagree.

“We have not breached the exclusive contract and have done our best in our activities so far, so we believe there is no reason for us to pay any penalty,” said band member Haerin.

“On the contrary, it is ADOR and HYBE that violated the contract, leading to this situation, and the responsibility clearly lies with them.”

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, the Nigerian actress, has opened up about her battle with an undisclosed illness.

In an Instagram post on Thursday, the 46-year-old film star shared a video of her receiving medical treatment.

Omotola said she had the “most dilapidating stomach, back and chest pain”, adding that she felt like she was “dying”.

The actress disclosed that she underwent surgery to remove her gallbladder. She also expressed gratitude to God for life and good health.

“Please join me as I thank God for life and good health. Have you been told by a doctor ‘There’s nothing more we can do at this time?’ and you still feel like you’re dying,” she said.

“I had been getting my films ready and after the day’s edit, I proceeded for the Academy Voting Member’s viewing of the Gladiator 11 but all through the viewing, I could not sit up.

“I had been rushed to the ER twice that week already for back and chest pains that would come intensely and leave the next day! The doctors were checking for my now Hbp and intense acid reflux!

“On the second admission the doctor gave all the drips, blood work and sent me home to manage. Luckily it left. However, after the movie, I knew there will be no talks with Denzel or Ridley Scott today. I needed to go!

“I threw up all night till there was nothing to throw up anymore. By morning the most dilapidating stomach pain started and so I was rushed again to emergency… the third time!

“This time, I was wheeled in, straight for a CT scan, ultrasound and the MRI. Then the doctor said I have to go in immediately for surgery to remove your gallbladder! It was so dilated, the doctors wandered how I was not in more pain.

“So the fight for my life began and today I am returning to give all the glory to God. Not only for the gift of life, but the gift of good health. The gift of a complete body or a sane mind to even dream of a better day!”

May D, the Nigerian singer, has claimed that Wizkid would not have reached his current level of success if he had not left Square Records, the record label owned by the now-defunct music duo Psquare.

May D recently engaged in an online spat with Wizkid’s fans on X. He alleged that the attacks began after he shared a post praising Davido.

“Because I spoke about David, Wizkid boys are attacking me Lmao even wiz know I love him, but if y’all come for me I’ll finish all of you and your oga,” he wrote.

Despite his warning, Wizkid’s fans continued to taunt him. One user commented, “Who be May D? FC sabi give people fame ehn 😂❤️🦅”.

Another user described him as the “oldest upcoming artiste” with an “unsuccessful career”.

“May d has broken the record for being the oldest upcoming artist, The unsuccessful Artist has been upcoming for 18 years,” the user wrote.

In response to the criticism, May D said he would not need to engage in online dispute if not for the fallout with Psquare, which he believes derailed his career.

“If no be wetin happen between me and Psquare, who be Wiz [Wizkid]? Chai,” he wrote.

https://twitter.com/MisterMayD/status/1861479199808131572?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1861479199808131572%7Ctwgr%5Ed1d47f4643adf1c79e9f2cc6538f63ffb2839d8e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flifestyle.thecable.ng%2Fid-have-been-better-than-wizkid-if-i-hadnt-fallen-out-with-psquare-may-d-claims%2F