NewJeans’ OMG Hits 900M Streams Amid ADOR-Danielle Legal Rift

• OMG receives 900M streams, proving that NewJeans' popularity remains strong despite legal conflicts.
• Ex-member Danielle's rapidly growing social media accounts indicate her individual momentum beyond the group.
• ADOR's lawsuit has taken NewJeans' story from charts to the courts.

NewJeans has reached a big streaming milestone, despite the fact that its future as a group remains uncertain. The K-pop act's 2023 smash hit OMG has surpassed 900 million plays on Spotify for the first time, agency ADOR said on Friday. The success highlights the group's persistent global impact even though its legal battle has left its lineup divided.

NewJeans released OMG just six months after their debut. The song, as noted by The Korea Herald, was the group's first hit on Billboard's Hot 100, where it charted success for six weeks while peaking at No. 74. The energetic hip-hop R&B song, along with another track, Ditto, topped South Korea's domestic music charts as well, which enabled the group to become a mainstream power from being rookies. OMG’s official music video exceeded 300M views on YouTube in Jan 2025, marking another milestone for the group.

Danielle Steps Out as Disputes Deepen

Nevertheless, the commercial impetus stands in stark contrast to the ambiguity around the NewJeans members. Since mid-2024, the group has been at odds with ADOR about exclusive contracts. The issue has become public ever since ex-ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin has been appearing in court proceedings. While three members, Hanni, Haerin, and Hyein, have consented to resume activities, ADOR has canceled Danielle’s contract, stating irreconcilable differences, as well as initiated a lawsuit against her and a family member, along with Min Hee-jin. Another member, Minji, has yet to openly announce her opinion regarding rejoining the group.

However, Danielle seems to be building her social media profile as she gets ready for the legal battle. The former NewJeans member recently created an account on Xiaohongshu (RedNote), one of China's most prominent lifestyle sites. Despite not posting anything, her follower count has topped 10,000. Her sister, Olivia Marsh, confirms the account's validity.

Danielle had also opened Instagram and YouTube accounts a few days earlier, as well as hosted her first livestream. This was her first time addressing the public after ADOR informed her of the contract termination. According to The Korea Times, her Instagram account (@dazzibelle) gained 860,000 followers in just three days, indicating continued fan support even after her departure from NewJeans. Her legal representatives stated that the webcast was meant for fan communication and had nothing to do with the legal dispute.

Her active connection with fans has fueled speculation about possible international activities or a solo career. Furthermore, her personal remarks underscore her long-term connections with her former bandmates, even as the legal dispute continues. Danielle also shared her first Instagram post, a letter, highlighting her everlasting connection with the NewJeans members and her resolve to continue moving forward together despite impending hardships.

NewJeans to Endure a Defining Legal Test

ADOR’s lawsuit against Danielle and related people seeks ₩ 43.1 billion (~ $29.8M USD) in penalties and damages, making this one of the most keenly watched legal disputes in K-pop. Taken together, NewJeans' tale now reads as a study in contradiction, with a catalog that continues to amass worldwide landmarks, anchored by OMG, even as the group's structure fractures due to legal disputes and member separation.

The conflict with ADOR has shifted focus away from charts and toward courtrooms, individual social accounts, and lingering questions about reconciliation, rendering NewJeans commercially present but organizationally unresolved, a rare occurrence in K-pop where market performance no longer indicates stability or continuity.