[Exclusive] "NJZ Joins Hands with Banana"... New Jeans Leaves Adore and Contacts Other Entertainment Companies
Added 2025-02-14 11:11:34 +0000 UTCTLDR: It is still a rumor as BANA refused to confirm nor deny and New Jeans denied it
New Jeans, the group that recently announced they would be promoting under the name 'NJZ', may be moving to Beasts and Natives (Bana), according to multiple industry insiders. Bana's producers previously collaborated with former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin on many of New Jeans' songs.
On February 14th, multiple industry insiders informed Ten Asia that “New Jeans has recently entrusted Bana with managing their entertainment activities.” A well-connected music critic added, “Bana is handling overseas media interview requests for New Jeans members and is effectively acting as their agency.”
Another industry insider commented, “Many believe that New Jeans and Bana are working together to navigate the current situation.” An executive from a major entertainment agency also stated, “From what I understand, Bana is assisting with New Jeans’ activities.”
Two of Bana’s producers, 250 (IoGong) and FRNK (Frank), were responsible for producing several of New Jeans’ hit songs. Bana functions not only as a music production company but also as an entertainment agency, representing artists such as Krystal (f(x)) and rapper Beenzino.
On February 7th, NuJeans member Hyein hinted at a potential agency shift, saying on Instagram Live, “I will soon have an agent (agency).”
Ten Asia attempted to contact Bana multiple times for confirmation, but the company did not respond.
https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/312/0000700616
NJZ members: "Contract with Bana is groundless... Extreme mental distress" [Official position]
(Export News, Reporter Jeong Min-gyeong) The members of New Jeans (NJZ) have denied reports of contact with the agency BANA.
On the 14th, the members of New Jeans (NJZ) denied reports that they were cooperating with the agency BANA (Beasts & Native) as "groundless."
They claimed through an account operated by their parents that "NJZ (New Jeans) has never signed any kind of contract with BANA or discussed anything." They
continued, "They have repeatedly written articles as if completely groundless information was a fait accompli, and many articles have cited it, causing the members and other people involved to suffer extreme mental distress."
They added, "We plan to file a complaint with the Press Arbitration Commission and take strong criminal action against media outlets that continue to spread false information."
Meanwhile, Minzy, Hani, Daniel, Haerin, and Hyein held an emergency press conference in November and announced the termination of their exclusive contracts with Adore.
The agency Ador filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract, stating that New Jeans' contract period is valid until July 31, 2029, and also filed an injunction against the members of New Jeans to preserve the status of the agency and prohibit them from signing advertising contracts.
Afterwards, the members opened their own accounts to communicate with fans, and recently declared that they would be promoting under the new group name 'NJZ'.
Photo = Xports News DB
https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/311/0001827295
Comments
This is from someone who posted on Hybe Boy's video about BANA and no shorts. I included their handle because they deserve the recognition. @0xyGen_2.p0 12 hours ago (edited) As someone who used to be a professional journalist for more then decade, I can comfirm that this Ten Asia article about NJ/BANA follows all journalist professional standards, and threats of NJ parents (aka MHJ) surprised me (or not). First, media outlet or named journalist never quoted news as a fact and clearly stated that news is based on verified sources within industry (possibly BANA itself ), with which they protected their sources as professional standards require. By quoting VERIFIED insider sources, media published news with possible high factual potential, and never stated itself that news are false or true. It stated though that sources have been VERIFIED and that outlet considers sources TRUSTWORTHY and RELIABLE. Second, media outlet reached for official comment to the source they find reliable (BANA) and which is at the same time the company that is suspected of being involved in tampering and illegal managing activities accordong to verified internal industry sources. However, BANA refused to comment on information that journalists obtained as potentially highly factual truth. BANA did not DENY information obtained. And that's the key. Not denying information is as good as directly confirming it. BANA therefore, same as outlet's other verified sources, indirectly confirmed that information obtained is very likely factual. Media outled therefore did not spread any gossips. It simply published information obtained from VERIFIED sources which media under law is not oblidged to disclose. Outlet obvoously finds these sources reliable. Outlet also has no obligation to ask for confirmation of information obtained from source or sources that media finds as unreliable and not trustworthy due to prevoous false claims to the media. Therefore Ten Asia has no obligation to ask NJ parents to confirm or deny information that media obtained legally by doing their legal researching job. Furthermore, NJ parents don't have legal status of NJ's management nor can't have it since NJ are legally Ador's ownership and legally contracted to Ador. So NJ parents are no legal factor to call out journalists on anything, and cannot request media to be treated as legal PR or legal management for the group. Journalists have no legal or other obligation to confirm any news with NJ parents. With NJ members or better said, with their agency Ador, yes (if Ador even knows what this clique is doing behind agency's back). But Ador, even if it would obtain such insiders information about what Bana is doing, stated everything about tampering attempts and legal consequences for it, through their official statement. There is nothing more needed to be said. The rest is for the court. Girls are not minors for parents to speak for them as their legal guardians, because parents stopped being their legal guardians when girls became legally adults. Parents also can't function as NJ's PR, this is illegal, since this breaches NJ's contract with Ador, nor are parents officially REGISTERED as PR agency or management company in entertainment industry as law requires. Even if they legally obtain status of PR or management company, as soon as they tie their activities with NJ, they would breach the law, Ador's contractual rights and legal protection coming from it, and directly involve themself in criminal activity of tampering. All clear here what legal status of NJ parents as PR agency for NJ is. They don't have required legal status to be anyone's PR or managment agency. They are doing what they are doing ILLEGALLY. Against Korean laws. Which means illegal business activity on Korean soil. I will outline this again just to make this very clear. Anyone acting as PR for someone and is not at the same time registered as PR agency, is illegal business on Korean soil. Anyone acting as management but not being registered for this business activity as law requires, is illegal business on Korean soil. ILLEGAL. UNLAWFUL. Someone breaching Korean laws threating and bullying journalists (and even directly!) when they did their job professionally, by the book, and preach them about Korean laws while breaching several Korean laws themselves, among them Criminal law, in situ, in very process, is a joke. Nice try, diddy! Ten Asia was correct to publish first article and to publish their strong response to MHJ/NJ camp. MHJ's stamp is visible all over this alledged NJ parent's letter. I would like to emphasise that NJ parents working as NJ's PR agency are breaching several laws, and NJ's contracts with Ador, which triggers legal consequences. They will face legal consequences, I hope, very soon, or Korea is not based on rule of law. Also their possible involvement in tampering, as evidence published by Dispatch suggests, is a criminal act punishable by jail. These people are suspected to commit so many CRIMES, that I am surprised not only about their audacity to preach to and threaten journalists, but I as well wonder how are they still even allowed to do it instead of facing police investigation for criminal acts they suspectedly committed. Threats to journalists to suppress freedom of press are criminal acts as well. Another in line of many that this Nj/MHJ camp is justly suspected of doing so far. Ten Asia should complain and seek for legal protection of their right to exercise their lawful and constitutional function to report about things of public interest freely and without being bullied by Nj members, their parents or MHJ. This kind of bully of k media as we witness from MHJ in particular since last April has to stop. Camp MHJ/NJ is not above Korean laws and constitution and it is time for them to face the rule of law. Enough is enough. Also, is this apparent manipulation of which MHJ/NJ camp accused Hybe for? I don't see Hybe giving any interviews to media, I only see Ador's official statements to clear legal status when proper. No media play, no false informations from Hybe or Ador. BANA managing NJ activities cannot stay hidden within industry. If sources are correct, then BANA with this became criminal suspect for tampering and for knowingly breaching laws by working with people legally tied with other company. We are talking about criminal activities here, not about ordinary civil dispute. It is BEYOND MY UNDERSTANDING why the police isn't knocking on BANA's, MHJ's and NJ as well as NJ's parents doors yet. The police is obligated by law to react. If the police ignores the law, then we may suspect political influence which is also in category of criminality. Is there even minimal rule of Law in South Korea? Watching how freely MHJ/NJ camp can wage their criminal activities directly prohibited by Criminal law, and other law breachings of civil and business laws, I wpuld say there is no rule of law in Korea. Or that law is used only to punish the poor and depriviledged members of society, while certain rich people are allowed to do whatever they want, they can freely bully journalists, steal, commit different crimes, and it's allright. CERTAIN "DEMOCRATIC" PARTY WILL COVER IT FOR NJ/MHJ DESPITE OF WHAT LAW SAYS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. NO WORRIES.. When journalists finally start to speak out and hit back, be sure that greater revolt within journalist community may happen against their bullies. I think that K journalists are not willing anymore to be treated as MHJ's and NJ's dog or bish that jumps on their command. This time they will bite back and fight. Law and constitution are on their side. And camp NJ/MHJ'/NJ parents s attempt to suppress freedom of press is unlawful and unconstitutional. Let's make this very, very clear. Long line of suspected crimes and law breaching on side of MHJ/NJ gets longer and longer. BANA putting itself in such legal and financial risk for bunch of criminal suspects, and with this risking possible CRIMINAL charges is beyond my understanding. I used to respect some key people from BANA but when I found out that Benzeeno for example is connected to MHJ, I unfollowed him immediately. No matter how I respect him as artist, I can't respect people tied to human filth. That's a line I don't cross. My voice doesn't matter, but I am one of MANY voices. And MHJ/NJ camp fears of these voices. Threats to journalists are not acceptable. If insiders informations weren't true, both NJ and BANA could simply deny them. But instead NJ is threatening journalists (nice try, diddy) and BANA is silent. Both speaking volumes.
Nix
2025-02-16 21:06:28 +0000 UTCI wish the girls would wake up. Being in the cult mind is like being on a drug. Once you wake up, your world becomes clear. Shame. Pain. Shock. Disgust. Frustration. Fear. Horror. It's all front and center of your emotional roller coaster. These girls have produced less, and done more damage to themselves than any other group I've ever heard of. Those that want them to take responsibility don't seem to understand: YOU ARE IN THE CULT MIND until you are not - and sometimes you'll even go back because it's what you know. There is no doubt in my mind that 2 or 3 are bullying the other 2 or 3 and they are all being gaslit, lied to, and manipulated by MHJ, who has manipulated happy, or reluctant participants in the parents and anyone who works with them. Some staff may have gone with them thinking they would be helping to protect the girls, even a little. It's basically a mass hysteria between the adults and the girls. So incredibly sad.
Nix
2025-02-15 20:04:30 +0000 UTCTaylor didn't play by the rules though. She made one of the most famous and loved producers in the industry lose face because she was impatient. That's not ok. Scooter's children were being harassed by her fans. She took a standard practice in the industry and damaged people because she was having an unprofessional fit. Her father negotiated and signed her contracts because she was under age when they were signed. The process was in court getting sorted out. She didn't like that when you sign with the company, the company owns the IP. She also didn't want to pay for it. She then made herself out to be a hero and trashed Scooter far and wide. She was acting like a spoiled brat and the bully that she is. Scooter behaved like a mature adult in the situation. Taylor is a smart business person - knows poetry and how to write a song - how to put it on stage and have people love her. She's talented that way. It doesn't mean she isn't also a bully, and went about this particular situation grievously wrong, and unethically.
Nix
2025-02-15 19:54:52 +0000 UTCI am starting to worry NJ will win somehow. It’s like we live in opposite world. Things that shouldn’t happen, keep happening. I wish the court cases would be done in order. If MHJ loses, it will color the outcome one of NJ. I think they will end the contract because it can’t be fixed, and damages will be small because everyone hates on Hybe. If the other labels don’t step up and make their opinions known (they can’t want this kind of thing to happen to them) then they will suffer the consequences as well. I bet there are more than a few idols just awaiting the outcome to decide if they will do the same.
Linda C.
2025-02-14 22:25:43 +0000 UTCBy playing by the Rules and putting in the extra work, Taylor became a $ BILLIONAIRE.
Carol Faye
2025-02-14 22:03:29 +0000 UTCRumor mill is churning. I've heard a few theories about this; first - that BANA is actually assisting MHJ/NJ to establish contacts, even if not signed agents (possible); second - that BANA is being used as a smoke screen ploy of MHJ/NJ so they can generate media interest and stay in the limelight (probable); third - that BANA is acting as a backdoor negotiator for ADOR and MHJ/NJ to settle monies (highly doubtful); and four - that BANA is being used to deter public interest away from Assembly, Chinese investment, Lee Soo Man (also highly possible). I'm sure there are more, but actually what does it matter? What is certain is that NJ declared they will have an agent soon and the agency is setting itself up now. The act of signing with any agent is a violation of the established contract, until that contract is declared no longer valid. First court hearing in three weeks. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!
HHK Maunaowakea
2025-02-14 18:48:38 +0000 UTCI'm just in wait and see mode at this point. I would like to believe that Ador/ Hybe will win this but we've had surprises at every turn so I'm crossing my fingers and waiting to see what the court decides.
shingylee
2025-02-14 18:42:15 +0000 UTCThey haven't been following the rules all along so it wouldn't surprise me if they performed them anyway regardless of who owns the copyrights.
shingylee
2025-02-14 18:12:47 +0000 UTCAs important an issue as this is to the functioning of a company designed the way HYBE has designed itself, and as good as the legal team at HYBE appears to be, I wonder if what is being seen right now is not the smoke and mirrors similar to what MHJ tried to use with her situation with ADOR. The consequences to HYBE and to the industry as a whole are so much greater with the current situation with the group fleeing their contract though and the weight not just of HYBE but of the wider entertainment industry adds weight to the equation.
Sara-Ellen
2025-02-14 14:58:14 +0000 UTCThis is the world's worst soap opera.
Rockermom (Helen V)
2025-02-14 14:27:38 +0000 UTCLast night Kpop Shock broadcasted about who has the rights to NJ music. Bunnies were saying NJ did because Taylor Swift was able to use all of her music even though Scooter bought her master rights for $200 million. He said it's important who owns the copyright which Taylor did. She re-recorded all her music. The copyright to NJ music is owned by 10 different people. 5 would be willing to let them re-record it but the other 5 are loyal to Ador/Hybe so that would never happen. NJ has no music. Kpop Shock explains it very simply. Everyone should check it out.
Carol Faye
2025-02-14 13:23:15 +0000 UTC
