South Korean K-pop group NewJeans appears poised for a comeback as a quartet, following the release of new promotional videos on July 22 that feature four members—Haerin, Hyein, Hanni, and Minji—without former member Danielle. The group marked the fourth anniversary of their debut with a series of clips and photos posted on their official YouTube channel, website, and Instagram account.
The videos, titled "2026 Summer of NewJeans," reflect the group’s evolving lineup. Danielle, who originally debuted with NewJeans as part of the quintet, left the group in late 2025 after her contract with their agency, Ador, was terminated amid a prolonged legal dispute. Meanwhile, Minji’s status has been uncertain, with the agency previously describing her membership status as “under discussion.”
Speculation first intensified in April when Hyein, Haerin, and Hanni were seen together in Denmark working on music production without Minji, fueling rumours that the group might return as a trio. However, the recent release featuring Minji alongside the other three members suggests she may be reintegrating, although the agency has not confirmed any final decisions regarding her return.
The background to these developments includes the group’s November 2024 announcement that they would terminate contracts with Ador, citing alleged mistreatment by the company. But subsequent court rulings upheld the validity of their contracts, limiting their ability to engage in independent activities. Following the legal outcome, Haerin, Hyein, and Hanni returned to the agency by late 2025.
The newly released content marks the first time in over a year that the four members have appeared together in new footage since the June 2024 release of their Japanese debut single album, Supernatural. Ador indicated that the videos were created to celebrate NewJeans' anniversary and stated that plans for future activities would be announced once internal discussions are concluded.
On the same day as the anniversary celebrations, Danielle also posted a message on Instagram, stating: “Life gets cloudy sometimes, but the light always finds its way back in,” reflecting a hopeful tone amid the group's ongoing changes.
NewJeans debuted on July 22, 2022, with the hit track Attention. Known for their Y2K-inspired aesthetic and a refreshing sound distinct from traditional K-pop, they quickly achieved success with additional popular singles such as Hype Boy, Ditto, and Super Shy. The group has charted multiple times on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the first girl group in 12 years to win Artist of the Year at South Korea’s MAMA Awards in 2023, a distinction last held by 2NE1 in 2010.