NewJeans Haerin Makes First Public Appearance in 18 Months at Dior Event

NewJeans member Haerin made her first official public appearance in eighteen months on Monday, greeting fans and photographers at a luxury beauty brand event in Seoul.

A Brand Ambassador Returns to the Spotlight

Stepping out on Monday afternoon, the celebrity arrived at a luxury beauty brand’s photocall at Lotte World Mall in Seoul. Wearing a black dress paired with a white cardigan, she showcased a polished look that immediately drew the attention of assembled media and onlookers.

Simultaneously, coverage from The Korea Herald placed the event at Dior Beauty’s 2026 Rouge Dior on Stage pop-up store located at Lotte World Mall, where she attended as the brand’s ambassador. Flanked by cameras, she posed alongside Dior creative imaging director Peter Phillips during the high-visibility promotional appearance.

Fans and the Long-Awaited Group Greeting

The atmosphere outside the venue was charged with excitement as supporters gathered to catch the star’s first public event in a year and a half. Crowds chanted We missed you and offered loud cheers as she walked toward the photo wall.

The appearance carried substantial weight for followers of the K-pop group, serving as the first time the celebrity introduced herself using the group’s full name since her return to agency management. According to reporting by The Korea Herald, she introduced herself explicitly as NewJeans Haerin during the pop-up event.

Navigating Agency Changes and Legal Battles

Monday’s photocall arrives after a turbulent period for the artists. In November 2024, members of NewJeans announced they were terminating their exclusive contracts with ADOR, subsequently pursuing independent activities under the designation NJZ, as detailed by The Korea Times.

NewJeans Haerin Makes First Public Appearance in 18 Months at Dior Event — Photo: The Korea Herald

That independent push stalled in March 2025 after a court granted ADOR’s request for an injunction, halting the group’s outside operations. Resolution began to take shape later that year when Hanni, Haerin, and Hyein confirmed their return to ADOR in December 2025, while fellow member Minji remained engaged in ongoing discussions regarding her status with the agency.

Unresolved Questions Surrounding Future Team Activities

While the brand ambassador’s return to the public eye has fueled expectations that the group would return as a four-member team following their extended hiatus, neither the agency nor the remaining members have outlined an official timeline for a complete musical comeback. With Minji’s contract discussions still unresolved and the group’s lineup experiencing shifting dynamics over the past two years, industry watchers and fans alike continue to wait for formal confirmation on when the full roster will resume group releases.