'Bunnies' Truck Protest😥

 Hello everyone!

Today, I’d like to continue talking about the ongoing NJZ (NewJeans) controversy that has been causing a huge stir in the K-pop scene.
The reason I’m following up on this is because the situation is still unfolding, and there are concerns it could escalate even further. Besides, as a K-pop fan myself, NewJeans was one of the groups I really liked... 😭
It’s gotten so serious that even fans are saying they’ve "turned their backs" on the group.
Let’s dive in.

NewJeans Heads to Court

When the NewJeans members announced their intention to terminate their exclusive contracts with their agency, ADOR, it shocked not only the K-pop industry but also their fandom. They sought an injunction from the court to sever ties with the agency and continue independently.
However, the court rejected their request. In response, the members expressed their disappointment through interviews with outlets like Time magazine, signaling their intent to push forward.
During the injunction process, NJZ argued that they had valid grounds to terminate the contract and requested the court to prevent further activities under the current terms. But the court ruled that their claims did not constitute "urgent or clearly unlawful" grounds.
This ruling may have been unfavorable for NJZ, but an injunction is only a temporary measure issued before a full trial. It focuses more on urgency and irreparable harm rather than judging the core of the issue. In a full trial, broader evidence and arguments can be presented.
The key question remains: will NJZ's reasons for termination be recognized as legally valid? So far, they’ve failed to clearly demonstrate this.
Rather than refining their legal basis, NJZ has made statements to foreign media criticizing South Korea—further digging themselves into a deeper hole.
In the end, this battle is likely to be about law and evidence, not public opinion... yet they’ve made choices that have only made things more tangled. 😥

Even Fans Are Divided…😭

It’s truly disheartening... 😥
The fandom that once stood behind NewJeans has long been divided. Cracks in trust have changed the way fans view the group. It was only a matter of time before this split fully emerged—and now we’re seeing the results. 😥
What makes this more notable is that the conflict hasn’t remained between the agency and the artists—it’s also caused a rift within the fandom.
NewJeans’ fandom, called “Bunnies,” is represented by a cute bunny mascot.

But that smile now feels meaningless, as the fandom has split into two opposing voices.
Some fans support the members’ choices and their right to act independently. Others criticize their actions as rash and immature.
Eventually, some fans took things further, organizing a truck protest in front of HYBE’s Seoul headquarters—just like the scenes shown in online videos. 😭

The Dual Nature—or Evolution—of K-pop Fandom?

Let me take a step back and talk about something broader.
In my view, this controversy goes beyond just a conflict—it raises sharp questions about the nature of K-pop fandom.
Should fans offer unconditional support? Or should they act as advisers—or watchdogs—when they feel artists are straying down a dangerous path?
K-pop fandoms aren’t just consumers. They co-create an artist’s success and help shape their public image.
Perhaps that’s why 🤔
Fans sometimes analyze the members’ choices more keenly than management and interpret events faster than the press—as if they were always standing by the artists’ side.
But where should the line be drawn? In cases like this, when fans stage protests and even mention family members, it can easily turn from support into another form of pressure.
Perhaps K-pop fandoms are evolving from mere cheerleaders into distinct opinion leaders. Whether that’s a good or bad thing remains to be seen. But it’s clear that this controversy goes beyond a simple contract dispute—it forces us to reflect on the relationship between artists and their fans.
Of course, the current situation has also been inflamed by CEO Min Hee-jin, who stirred the pot and then vanished from public view, and by NJZ’s own misguided actions. 😥

Public Sentiment and Legal Logic Are Different

NJZ has been trying to sway public opinion through direct communication with fans, interviews, and social media. But legal judgments are based solely on contract terms, evidence, and legal reasoning.
Emotional appeals or moral arguments alone won’t influence a verdict. For NJZ to gain legal recognition, they need meticulous documentation and a sound legal framework. As someone who isn’t part of the Bunnies fandom but did cheer for NewJeans, I hope they don’t fall into the trap of emotional manipulation and instead resolve things with professional guidance and factual accuracy.
Failing to respect legal outcomes and turning opposing voices into enemies with self-righteous messaging is extremely dangerous... 😥

Final Thoughts

At first, I sympathized with NewJeans.
But the more this unfolds, the more the public turns against them—and it’s sad to see. They’re undeniably talented artists... 😥😥😥
It’s unclear what path the members will take or whether the fandom can reunite. But one thing is certain: this conflict must not leave deeper scars on either the artists or the fans.
Moreover, the essence of this NJZ dispute isn’t about emotion—it’s a legal judgment about whether there were serious enough issues to justify contract termination. And it’s up to the members and their legal team to prove that.
The upcoming trial could set a crucial precedent in defining artist rights and contract culture in the K-pop industry.
As of now... it seems NewJeans may have already crossed a line, but I still believe there may be a way to resolve things constructively. 😥
Do they even know where they’re heading?

What do you think about the legal issues surrounding the NJZ case? And if there’s any new update I may have missed, I’ll be quick to post about it! Please share your thoughts in the comments.