After a multi-year hiatus due to contract disputes, NewJeans finally seems to be making a return to the public eye. However, the official anniversary photos released have sparked negative reactions from many fans because they feature the group as a 4-member lineup for the first time, with Danielle missing.
NewJeans Day Anniversary Post Revealed, 4 Members in the Spotlight
NewJeans' official social media posted on July 21st with the theme "NewJeans Day," writing: "Have you seen the fluffy white animal? 🐇," and included hashtags related to NewJeans, NewJeans Day, and their 4th anniversary.
The official social media also released individual photos of the four members: Minji, Hanni, Hyein, and Haerin. One post was tagged "[NewJeans Day🎂] HYEIN," and included hashtags related to NewJeans Day and their 4th anniversary.
What shocked the public most was the photo featuring all four members together, as it was NewJeans' first group photo without Danielle. The official post simply stated "[NewJeans Day] 🐰," also including NewJeans Day and 4th anniversary hashtags.
Additionally, the official account also uploaded Haerin's individual photo, with the post reading: "[NewJeans Day🎂] HAERIN," and including hashtags related to NewJeans, NewJeans Day, and their 4th anniversary.
Minji's individual photo also appeared on the official social media, with the post content being: "[NewJeans Day🎂] MINJI." The public thus believes that after a series of controversies, Minji seems to have confirmed her return to the group through the new photos.
As for Danielle, the original article states that she has not yet returned to the group following further contract disputes with ADOR; at the same time, ADOR continues to pursue legal action against the former NewJeans member, Min Hee-jin, and a family member.
Mixed Fan Reactions, Many Disapprove of 4-Member Photo
The original article notes that fan reactions to this new set of photos are quite varied; considering Danielle's current situation, many of the reactions are not positive. X user Pikachu posted: "HYBE is more evil than the darkest soul at the bottom of the darkest part of hell."
Another X user, gui, directly wrote: "It's not NewJeans without Danielle."
X user it was a gi jane JOKE also commented: "This doesn't feel like NewJeans at all."
X user ʚїɞ wrote with even stronger emotion: "Oh no, absolutely not, this is not my NewJeans. NewJeans without Dani is not NewJeans, don't piss me off, HYBE."
Pikachu also posted separately: "HYBE making NewJeans re-debut as 4 members after 3 years and removing Danielle from the group is the saddest thing that has happened in K-pop, and we can't do anything about it."
NewJeans' reappearance on official social media with anniversary photos was initially seen as a signal of their comeback, but the 4-member group photo without Danielle unexpectedly turned this appearance into a controversial focal point.
