The outlet says Minji’s “time is running out.”
Koreaboo
7 minutes ago
A recent TenAsia report about NewJeans and Minji is facing heavy criticism online after it framed Minji’s undecided status as a key reason behind the group’s prolonged hiatus.
| TenAsia
The article claimed that NewJeans’ future comeback depends heavily on Minji’s decision, and suggested that delays in her return to ADOR could push the group’s activities further into next year.
Since Minji is considered a member who is closely tied to NewJeans’ identity, ADOR (HYBE) is likely to continue keeping the possibility of her return open. However, they cannot wait indefinitely…
If her direction is not decided by June at the latest, NewJeans’ comeback would inevitably be pushed back to after February next year, by which point public interest may have already drifted further away than it is now.
The longer the uncertainty continues, the greater the risks all members — Minji, Hanni, Haerin, and Hyein — will have to bear.
— TenAsia
| TenAsia
It also stressed that the group risks losing public attention the longer the situation remains unresolved.
Also, industry insiders said, ‘If Minji’s decision is delayed too long, it will inevitably have a negative impact on the entire group,’ adding that ‘at the latest, she needs to return within this year in order to attract the attention of both the existing fandom and the general public.’
— TenAsia
| TenAsia
The framing of the piece quickly sparked backlash from fans on social media. Many netizens accused the outlet of putting unnecessary pressure on Minji and shifting responsibility for the group’s hiatus onto one member.
Some also went further, criticizing HYBE and ADOR, alleging that the narrative reflects attempts to push Minji into making a quicker decision regarding her status with the agency.
‼️10Asia, HYBE’s leading media mouthpiece, is now trying to shift the burden of NewJeans’ comeback onto Minji.
According to their latest narrative, the timing of NewJeans’ return supposedly depends on how quickly Minji reaches a settlement with ADOR. In other words, they’re… pic.twitter.com/ps4mvgjE9K
— 1tokki (@juantokki) June 1, 2026
🆕‼️A heard of not submitting any evidence(deadline is June 2)🤡Ador is pressing Minji in their new article with 10asia.This reporter is very very controversial to our girls.“If her future is not decided by June,NewJeans’ comeback will inevitably be postponed until after February pic.twitter.com/C5FmYUghc3
— New wav 🐰We Gotta Save NewJeans. Forever is 5💫🪐 (@dontbeblue5) June 1, 2026
we know that if minji isn’t confirmed is not bc of minji, she has ZERO leverage to make demands so it has to be the other way round, it’s hybe that’s making demands from her so the whole statement is just them trying to manipulate fans and antis to pressure her into submission
— weiyingsmanager (@weiyingsmanager) June 1, 2026
The article could add more tension to an already sensitive issue, especially as fans continue to wait for updates on NewJeans’ full-group activities.