NewJeans
Biography
NewJeans is a South Korean girl group formed by ADOR, a subsidiary of Hybe Corporation. The group is composed of five members: Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein. Their name holds a dual meaning; it alludes to the timeless durability of jeans and the group's intention to carve out a timeless image, and it's also a wordplay on "new genes," signifying the arrival of a new generation of K-pop.
Debut and Concept
NewJeans made a surprise debut on July 22, 2022, with the single "Attention," without any prior promotion or introduction of the members. This unconventional strategy, which focused on the music first, proved successful. Their concept centers on a "girl-next-door" image, exuding a natural and youthful energy that resonates with their audience. They are known for their 1990s and 2000s-inspired musical and visual styles.
Musical Style
NewJeans' music is primarily characterized as K-pop, pop, and R&B. Their sound often incorporates elements of 1990s and 2000s music, including synth-pop, R&B, UK garage, Baltimore club, Jersey club, and moombahton. Their songs are often described as having mellow beats, atmospheric synthesizers, and a focus on the members' natural vocals, creating an "easy-listening" feel. More recent tracks have explored genres like Miami bass.
Members
Minji
Kim Minji (김민지) was born on May 7, 2004.
Hanni
Hanni Pham (Phạm Ngọc Hân) was born on October 6, 2004, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She can speak Vietnamese, English, and Korean.
Danielle
Danielle Marsh (Mo Jihye, 모지혜) was born on April 11, 2005.
Haerin
Kang Haerin (강해린) was born on May 15, 2006.
Hyein
Lee Hyein (이혜인) was born on April 21, 2008. She was previously a member of the kids' group USSO.GIRL.
Discography and Achievements
Following their debut single "Attention," NewJeans released two more singles, "Hype Boy" and "Cookie," which were featured on their debut self-titled extended play (EP) released in August 2022. The EP sold over a million copies, making NewJeans the first K-pop girl group to achieve this milestone with a debut album. "Hype Boy" became the longest-charting song on the Billboard Global 200 by a K-pop female act. In January 2023, they released their first single album, "OMG," which included the widely popular track "Ditto." "Ditto" became their first song to enter both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. Their second EP, "Get Up," released in July 2023, topped the US Billboard 200 chart.
NewJeans has received numerous accolades since their debut. They won Rookie of the Year awards at major Korean music award shows, including the Golden Disc Awards, Melon Music Awards, and Seoul Music Awards. In 2023, they won the coveted Artist of the Year award at both the MAMA Awards and the Melon Music Awards. Their single "Ditto" also won Song of the Year at several award ceremonies.
Recent Developments
In 2024, there were reports of a dispute between NewJeans' agency ADOR and its parent company HYBE. In late 2024, the members announced they were leaving ADOR, and in early 2025, it was reported they would continue their activities under the new name NJZ.