The highly publicized legal battle involving former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin and Belift Lab, the agency behind rookie group ILLIT, will commence its first court hearing on January 10, 2025, at the Seoul Western District Court. The lawsuit, centered on allegations of plagiarism, has drawn significant attention from the entertainment industry and fans alike.

Overview of the Case

The 12th Civil Division of the Seoul Western District Court will oversee the initial arguments in the damages lawsuit filed by Belift Lab against Min Hee Jin. The agency is seeking 2 billion KRW (approximately $1,431,600 USD) in damages. Belift Lab initially filed the lawsuit in June, strongly denying claims that ILLIT had plagiarized concepts from the popular girl group NewJeans, which Min Hee Jin helped create.

In a statement addressing the timeline of events, Belift Lab said:

“ILLIT’s branding strategy and concept were finalized and shared internally on July 21, 2023, while the so-called ‘planning document’ sent by the informant arrived later, on August 28, 2023, making it impossible for it to influence ILLIT’s concept.”

Min Hee Jin’s Allegations

Min Hee Jin’s team raised plagiarism concerns during a hearing for an injunction lawsuit regarding HYBE’s voting rights. They presented testimony from a HYBE employee who claimed that ILLIT’s creative director had received NewJeans’ planning documents during ILLIT’s conceptualization phase. The informant reportedly remarked:

“I never imagined they would copy it so blatantly.”

Belift Lab’s Additional Complaints

In addition to the plagiarism lawsuit, Belift Lab has filed complaints accusing Min Hee Jin of business interference and defamation. The agency issued a strong statement, saying:

“Min Hee Jin has used an innocent rookie group as a scapegoat for her personal gain. Her claims of plagiarism not only harm the entertainment industry but also distort professional matters to suit her narrative. If such actions go unchecked, they will severely hinder creators’ freedom to innovate.”

Min Hee Jin’s Public Response

On April 25, Min Hee Jin held a press conference, emphasizing her concerns about the similarities between NewJeans and ILLIT. She stated:

“This benefits no one—it even damages ILLIT. If this continues, everything will become NewJeans. I’m not attacking ILLIT; the problem lies with the adults involved.”

Belift Lab CEO’s Reaction

Belift Lab’s CEO Kim Tae Ho responded critically to Min Hee Jin’s public comments, expressing disappointment in her actions. He remarked:

“If someone truly believed ‘the artists did nothing wrong,’ they wouldn’t bring them up unnecessarily. Such comments effectively direct criticism and harassment toward ILLIT, especially from fans aligned with her views. It’s deeply disappointing to see such behavior from someone who has worked in this industry for so long. It’s difficult to forgive such baseless claims driven by personal ambition.”

What’s Next?

As the trial date approaches, this legal dispute is expected to spark broader discussions about intellectual property, creative rights, and professionalism within the entertainment industry.

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