An Australian member of the K-pop group NewJeans is being sued for around $44.8 million (43.1 billion won) by the group's record label.

NewJeans member Danielle Marsh, born in Newcastle, NSW, was removed from the group after record label Ador terminated her contract.

Ador then announced it would sue Danielle, one of her family members and former CEO Min Hee-jin for alleged breach of contract, according to the BBC.

The other members of NewJeans are Hanni (born in Melbourne), Minji, Haerin, and Hyein.

They became the eighth-biggest-selling act in the world a year after their debut in 2022.

Hybe Corporation is the home of K-pop sensation BTS and the parent company of Ador.

NewJeans announced it was leaving Ador in 2024, alleging workplace harassment, which the agency has denied.

A court ruled that they had to stay with the agency until 2029.

Ador has since terminated its contract with Danielle and is now taking legal action, accusing her of bearing significant responsibility for the fallout between the agency and the group.

Fans have taken to social media in support of Danielle, posting: NewJeans is five or nothing.

How did we get here?

In April 2024, Hybe accused Min of attempting to seize control of Ador, and plotting to gain full ownership of NewJeans to take the group independent.

Min denied all allegations, calling a press conference to elaborate.

Hybe then filed a police report against Min.

A legal battle ensued in which all five members of NewJeans took Min's side, supporting her petition against Hybe removing her as CEO.

Forbes reports that in July 2024, Danielle wrote a handwritten letter to Min pointing to a "deep emotional bond" between them, "foreshadowing Danielle's loyalty" to Min.

Min was removed from her position as CEO in August 2024.

According to Forbes, a November 2024 ruling that K-pop idols are not classified as workers under Korean labor law raises industry-wide implications, affecting how workplace harassment complaints are handled.

Attempted rebrand

In January 2025, NewJeans attempted a rebrand with the name NJZ, but a ruling by Seoul Central District Court prevented this and blocked the group from conducting independent activities.

The Seoul Central District Court ruled in October 2025 that all five members of NewJeans remained bound to their Ador contracts, which are due to expire in 2029.

The group announced its intention to appeal, however in November 2025, NewJeans began to fracture.

Ador announced that Haerin and Hyein intended to return to the agency.

In late December, Hanni also returned to the group, with Minji in ongoing talks.

In Danielle's case, her contract was terminated.

Ador then went on to announce legal action, revealing a day later that damages would exceed $44.8 million.