He expressed affection for his fandom but did not address the contract dispute.
While he mentioned intentions for future endeavors, explanations regarding legal responsibilities were lacking.
On January 12, 2026, Daniel, effectively ousted from the group NewJeans, shared his first public comments through an SNS live broadcast. While this was his first official communication since the contract dispute, he notably provided no clarification regarding the accusations against him.
In the live session, Daniel mentioned that he has learned a lot during this time, stating that his perspective on his family and the world has changed. He expressed his affection for the fandom 'Bunnies', recalling that the moments shared on stage continue to support him.
However, he did not address the controversies surrounding the termination of his exclusive contract. Ador had filed a lawsuit against him and his family for approximately 43 billion KRW, highlighting Daniel's involvement in affecting NewJeans' activities. It appears Daniel is not ready to explain this situation, focusing instead on emotional messages to his fans rather than answering public inquiries.
Daniel's live broadcast emotionally resonated with many fans, yet the reality he faces is complex. The absence of his stance regarding contract violation allegations and legal disputes heightened public curiosity, which could risk his credibility in future announcements.
Moreover, as he is identified as a significant figure impacting NewJeans' activities, it is crucial for Daniel to address the responsibilities tied to his choices. While his deep affection for fans is vital, he now needs to articulate his position and refute the company's claims.
Ultimately, this broadcast merely conveyed emotional messages without addressing the substantive issues related to the legal disputes. How his future actions unfold and the industry's and fans' reactions toward him will be closely observed.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: TVDaily
