"They are non-stop being compared": NJZ’s Danielle opens up about industry struggles, urges support for young trainees

Danielle of NJZ, broke her silence on how there are immense pressures in the world of K-pop, where young idols - some even under the legal age - are bombarded by pressure from the industry, their agencies and even their fan bases, discussing the difficulties trainees experience and the necessity for improved support systems.

On a recent Instagram live session, Danielle spoke about how "they are non-stop being compared," which has garnered a huge uproar in their fan community.

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Fan reactions and industry impact

The ones who stand by NJZ's cause consider that NJZ should be able to function independently, no restrictive affiliations.

"K-pop trainee system is way too brutal. Imagine being a kid chasing a dream and getting ranked like a reality show every single day. That’s insane."- Wrote Yip on X

"Good one Danielle of NJZ, for speaking out and showing empathy towards young trainees and artists."- Wrote FineWine2 on X

"The fact that Danielle still radiates warmth after going through this? She’s made of pure resilience."- Wrote Ava Vava on X

"So nice to see people like Danielle from NJZ speaking out for others!" - Wrote Ivy on X

"Who knew chasing dreams came with a ranking system harsher than school exams?"- Wrote Velonie on X

After the lawsuit is resolved, NJZ plans to move forward by reintroducing themselves under a new name and launching new music at ComplexCon Hong Kong in March 2025, lessening the impact of the lawsuit threat as they remain dedicated to moving forward.

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Danielle responds to industry pressure

On March 7, 2025, during a court hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, Danielle and her fellow NJZ members testified about their battle against ADOR.

In a deeply personal post, she mused that idol training is grueling, and the constant comparisons young artists face are incredibly difficult.

“We go through so much to make our debut, but even after that, the pressure never stops. If we return to ADOR, we won’t receive any protection. I’m 21 now, and I don’t want to go through another five years like this.”

This garnered great response from fans and professionals alike as it showed the intensity of the scrutiny and hardship that idols endure.

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The Legal Battle

NJZ, formerly known as NewJeans, is currently engaged in a high-profile legal battle with ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE Labels. The conflict originated in November 2024 when the group announced it was cancelling its contracts, citing alleged breaches by ADOR. The members alleged that the agency had failed to better protect and support them.

In its statements, ADOR, however, denied the allegations and sued, saying the group's contracts are valid until July 31, 2029. The case has since grown to include restrictions on songwriting, composing and other entertainment-related work.

Now, the court has asked the parties to submit further evidence and a final ruling is expected shortly thereafter.

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CEO Min Hee-jin - The Sixth Member

While discussing the issues relevant to the general problems in the industry, Danielle also took some time to refer to the part played by Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR, in the establishment of NJZ (NewJeans).

“We are very sensitive to each member’s condition, so we always worry about injuries or illnesses. What I want to say is that while there are five of us on stage, we are actually a team of six, including CEO Min Hee-jin. Seeing her being attacked and all these absurd articles coming out, I was terrified of losing her.”

In a teary-eyed revelation, Danielle claimed Min was not just an executive but also a member of their team.

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Conclusion

Danielle's forthrightness about the difficulties of being a K-pop singer has made a big impact on the fans as well as other artists. Whether they are successful or not in the court, the impact of their voices has already been significant—one that may potentially mold the K-pop industry for many years.

So the question that needs to be answered is: Will the music industry members respond to the public and come up with real solutions, or will the problems the young musicians are facing still continue for many years to come?

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.