Following the official termination of NewJeans member Danielle’s contract, old unverified rumours involving HYBE chairman Bang Si Hyuk have resurfaced online. Fans are wondering whether the internal bias played a role in her exit.
Danielle’s contract termination comes amid the prolonged legal and public dispute between NewJeans and their label ADOR. While fellow members Haerin and Hyein have already returned to ADOR following a court ruling upholding the validity of the group’s exclusive contracts, and Minji remains in ongoing discussions with the company, Danielle’s case took a markedly different direction. ADOR confirmed that it would be “difficult for her to continue together” as a NewJeans member and ADOR artist, leading to the termination of her contract.
The contrast in outcomes has raised questions within fandom spaces, particularly because Danielle is currently the only member whose contract has been formally ended. As a result, long-standing pre-debut rumours about her position within the company hierarchy have resurfaced across social media platforms.
According to claims that have circulated for years but have never been substantiated, Bang Si Hyuk was allegedly opposed to Danielle being included in NewJeans’ final lineup during the group’s formation. These rumours suggest that former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin insisted on keeping Danielle in the group despite alleged resistance from higher-ups. No official statements from HYBE, Bang Si Hyuk, or Min Hee Jin have ever confirmed these assertions.
Some of the speculation goes further, with online narratives alleging that Bang Si Hyuk disapproved of Danielle because of her “exotic looks,” while others tie the alleged tension to her name. Danielle is a Christian name that translates to “judgment” or “condemnation,” a detail that has been pulled into broader online conspiracy theories, including the so-called “Cult Dahn World” narrative that has periodically circulated in relation to HYBE.
One resurfaced YouTube comment that has gained renewed attention reads, "Didn’t they say Bang was the most against Danielle joining? Was it because her name is Danielle?" The comment has been widely shared, despite the lack of evidence supporting the claim.
However, none of these rumours have been verified, and they remain speculative interpretations fueled largely by the timing of Danielle’s contract termination. Still, the fact that other members were allowed to return to ADOR while Danielle’s contract was ended has intensified discussions about whether deeper internal conflicts or biases may have existed behind the scenes.
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