In a dramatic turn of events, the ongoing legal battle involving K-pop girl group NewJeans has taken a surprising twist, as it has come to light that Hyein's father is opposing the lawsuit against their agency, ADOR, regarding the termination of their exclusive contract. Initial reports mistakenly pointed to Haerin's mother as the opposing party, but a deeper investigation revealed the true identity of the dissenting parent.

The controversy erupted after a session at the Seoul Central District Court on April 3rd, where the judge queried if the lawsuit had parental approval from the minor members—Hyein and Haerin. This moment of inquiry ignited speculation regarding potential discord among the parents of the group. Further scrutiny by media outlet Chosun Ilbo emphasized an earlier court hearing on March 7th, during which inconsistencies in the representatives' authority were noted, suggesting that conflicting opinions from the parents had led to the complicated civil suit concerning legal guardianship.

As internet sleuths began connecting the dots, many speculated that "Defendant 4" in the case was Haerin, based on her unique surname within the group. Suspicion was amplified by the court documents identifying Haerin's father as her legal representative, leading to widespread misinformation and rumors about the involvement of Haerin's family.

New Daily’s probing investigation, however, confirmed that it was actually Mr. A, Hyein's father, who stood against the contract termination. Initially, the families of the NewJeans members, including Hyein's, were unified in their response to ADOR's actions when they signaled their intent to terminate the contract back in November 2023, spurring a series of legal maneuvers. Yet, something transformed Mr. A's stance, and he ultimately opposed the lawsuit, leading to a contentious struggle for legal guardianship with his spouse, Ms. B. A recent court ruling affirmed Ms. B as Hyein's sole legal representative, a decision that could have significant implications for the ongoing lawsuit.

As NewJeans continues to grapple with this contractual turmoil since their announcement last fall, K-netizens have taken to social media, expressing mixed feelings about the unfolding drama. Comments from the public reflect a blend of empathy, criticism, and even speculation about family dynamics:

Public Reactions:

- "Looking back at my youth, the blunders I made seem small compared to a legal battle like this. It’s heart-wrenching to see these young stars caught in such adult issues." - "If a father is willing to give up his parental rights, shouldn’t the repercussions also be shared with the mother and Hyein? It feels unequal!" - "The truth started with NewJeans’ official notices, not just gossip. The parents clarified this information under public scrutiny." - "What’s bizarre is that even their parent group follows the herd; disagreement gets you ousted, just like in the Bunnies case!" - "How did all the members align on this? Yet, some clearly disagree. It’s all so perplexing." - "Remember when Hyein posted 'stop copying' on Instagram at the ILLIT launch? It seems like the pressure is weighing heavily on her, and she didn’t even know the storm brewing around her." - "It's evident that both fans and families exert immense pressure on these young idols. How can they ever make the right choices with a spotlight on them 24/7?" - "The inappropriate remarks against their families have escalated due to this lawsuit. It’s disheartening to see how the media and public jump to conclusions without considering the impact on real lives." - "Hyein is incredibly young. Even if she steps away and re-emerges as an artist later, she will still experience the pressures of youth in the spotlight. It’s truly heartbreaking."

This unfolding story highlights the complexities and emotional toll faced by young stars in the K-pop industry, as they navigate not just their careers, but their personal lives in the public eye. Stay connected as we continue to follow this saga and its implications for the artists involved and their families. Will this controversy reshape the future of NewJeans? Only time will tell!