In a weekend that sent shockwaves through the K-pop universe, beloved girl group NewJeans—now officially (or “unofficially,” due to current circumstances) rebranded as NJZ—delivered an explosive performance at ComplexCon Hong Kong 2025 that had fans losing their voices, only to follow it with news that left those same fans in tears.

The five-member sensation headlined the final day of the three-day cultural extravaganza on March 23 at AsiaWorld-Expo, where they publicly debuted both their new moniker and a fresh banger titled “PIT STOP” that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Fan videos capturing the perfectly synchronized choreography immediately went viral (see below), showcasing the quintet’s evolution while maintaining their signature tight dance formations and pristine vocals.

“The energy was fucking electric,” said 22-year-old attendee Jason Kim, who traveled from Seoul specifically for the performance. “The moment they stepped on stage as NJZ, you could feel this was the beginning of something new.”

ComplexCon Hong Kong 2025 transformed the AsiaWorld-Expo into a hypebeast paradise from this past weekend, offering a comprehensive cultural experience spanning fashion, music, art, and food. The festival featured over 150 brands and creators displaying their latest drops in a marketplace that had attendees emptying their wallets with alarming enthusiasm.

But the weekend’s most dramatic moment came when NJZ members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein stunned the audience by announcing the temporary suspension of their activities immediately following their set. The visibly emotional members cited their respect for a recent Seoul court injunction regarding their agency status as the primary factor in their decision.

“We need time to regroup during this legal situation,” Danielle told the crowd through tears. “But this isn’t goodbye,” she added, referencing their new track in a moment that left few dry eyes in the house.

Industry insiders have noted that the March 21 court decision barring the group from independent activities during their contract dispute with Ador had been looming over the performance. Despite this, NJZ still delivered for their Hong Kong fans in what became their last show before the hiatus.

The announcement has hit the K-pop community hard, with hashtags like #NJZTakeOff and #NJZ_REDEBUT trending globally within hours.

While fans process this unexpected pause, ComplexCon Hong Kong 2025 will undoubtedly be remembered as the site of both NJZ’s rebirth and temporary farewell—a bittersweet moment in K-pop history that underscores the often brutal reality behind the glossy perfection of the industry. That being said, if you haven’t had enough of “the industry,” be sure to check out more K-pop-related stories across our site here.

Cover image via RUSSH.