NJZ's Danielle Reveals Having To Report Bathroom Breaks, Record Meals as Part of Surveillance During Trainee Days Under HYBE

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NewJeans Announce Termination Of Contract With ADOR Agency

Danielle, a member of the K-pop group NJZ (formerly NewJeans), has opened up about the strict rules she endured during her trainee days under HYBE.

In a live broadcast on March 16 through NJZ's official account, the 19-year-old singer shared shocking details about the intense surveillance and control she and other trainees faced under HYBE's management. Danielle recalled that even during her free time, she was required to leave a message before using the restroom. Meal times were also heavily regulated, with trainees being needed to take pictures of their food and send them to a female manager for approval before they could eat.

"I remember having to take pictures of what I ate before I was actually able to consume it. I had to send pictures to our manager, and she would have to check it," she said.

Furthermore, Danielle noted that there was a constant sense of being monitored when they were trainees, particularly in the practice room.

The singer admitted that the trainees followed the rules, believing that failing to comply would affect their chances of debuting and that they could be cut from the program.

Danielle said she continued with that mindset until former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin helped her and her NJZ groupmates—Minji, Hanni, Haerin, and Hyein——to live that way.

The singer's revelations come amid an ongoing legal battle against ADOR, now their former agency. NJZ terminated its exclusive contract with ADOR in November 2024, citing the agency's failure to fulfill obligations, while ADOR filed a lawsuit to affirm the contract's validity and sought injunctions to block the group's independent activities. The agency later expanded its injunction request in February 2025 to prohibit all entertainment activities, including songwriting, performing, and advertising, which NJZ's parents alleged was an attempt to suppress the group's career.

A hearing on contract validity is scheduled for April 3.