One of K-pop’s most popular groups, NewJeans, has decided to change its name amid a prolonged legal dispute in South Korea. Ahead of the announcement, the five-member band revealed that they will now be known as NJZ. Member Pham Ngoc Han, also known as Hanni, explained that the rebranding was a way to turn a challenging time into something more exciting. The group confirmed they will perform under their new name for the first time at the ComplexCon Hong Kong festival in March, where they will also debut a new song.
Hanni mentioned that the band is working hard to resolve the situation so they can return to normal. She emphasized that they don’t want their ongoing legal battle with their record label, Ador, to define their career.
NewJeans made a major impact on South Korea’s music scene, topping charts with their debut single “Attention” in 2022. Their international success followed shortly after with their EP Get Up, featuring the hit song “Super Shy,” which reached number 1 on the US Billboard 200.
In addition to Pham, the other members of the group — all under 21 and known by their given names — are Haerin (Kang Haerin), Minji (Kim Minji), Hyein (Lee Hye-in), and Danielle (Danielle Marsh). The announcement on Thursday adds another chapter to the ongoing legal battle with their record label, Ador, a subsidiary of Hybe, the company behind major K-pop acts like BTS.
In November, NewJeans held an emotional press conference where the group revealed they were ending their contract with Ador. They accused the label of “manipulation,” “mistreatment,” “deliberate miscommunications,” and workplace harassment.
Ador has denied these allegations, claiming that the band is still under contract. The label has filed a lawsuit against the group and sought a court injunction to prevent NJZ from entering into advertising deals. Ador has not yet responded to requests for comment on the situation.
Since then, the group has started posting content from a new Instagram account called “jeanzforfree,” where they recently asked fans to suggest a new name for the group.
Danielle shared that the band had “completely lost all trust” in Ador and expressed confidence that they would “win this battle against Hybe and Ador.”
A preliminary court hearing regarding the injunction is set for March, with the lawsuit scheduled to be heard in April. In the meantime, NJZ is focusing on creating and performing new music, with Kang describing their sound as “very unique and different.” Pham added, “There’s nothing holding us back anymore.”
The group has previously explained that their name was a play on words, combining “new genes” with the timeless nature of jeans. Danielle shared that the band spent considerable time considering fan suggestions, which included options using initials, before choosing a name that Pham said still captured the “essence” of their original identity.
Pham explained, “Even though we have to leave our previous name behind for a bit, we’re not fully moving on from it. We don’t want to either, because being NewJeans was still a very special period for us, and it’s something our fans probably cherish as well.”
The announcement on Friday may also signal a creative shift for the group. Known for their fashion-forward style, they have done shoots for American Vogue and served as ambassadors for major events like Seoul Fashion Week. Individually, the members are global ambassadors for luxury brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton.
Pham noted, “It’s definitely going to be different from what people are used to and the image we debuted with.” She explained that the band is eager to “experiment with different types of performances” and take a bold new direction.
“Before, we focused on being the ‘girl next door,’ but now we’re aiming for something sharper, bolder,” Pham added. “Fashion-wise, we love wearing streetwear and non-gendered clothing, and that will play a strong role in our new look.”