Min Hee-jin accuses BeLift Lab of using ILLIT to deflect plagiarism claims against NewJeans

Former CEO of ADOR, Min Hee-jin, has responded to BeLift Lab’s ₩20 billion KRW (approximately $14.3 million USD) lawsuit.

Min accuses the HYBE subsidiary of using the rookie girl group ILLIT as a shield to deflect criticism from alleged harm caused to NewJeans, the group she previously led to success. The lawsuit, filed in June 2024, claims Min’s public accusations of plagiarism damaged ILLIT’s reputation and business.

ILLIT, formed through the 2023 JTBC survival show R U Next?, debuted in March 2024 with their EP 'Super Real Me'. BeLift Lab argues that ILLIT’s concept was finalized in July 2023, before any accusations arose, and that similarities between ILLIT and NewJeans are purely coincidental. They assert that Min’s statements are baseless and intended for personal gain.

In her response, Min alleged that a HYBE whistleblower revealed ILLIT’s creative team had access to NewJeans’ plans, leading to striking similarities in branding and style. "It was HYBE and BeLift Lab who spread false facts and used a new artist as a shield," Min claimed, further criticizing HYBE’s multi-label strategy for fostering replication rather than originality.

Min first raised these concerns in April 2024, accusing ILLIT of copying NewJeans’ choreography, styling, and branding. She argued that HYBE prioritizes profits over artistic integrity, harming both groups in the process.

The Seoul Western District Court has scheduled the first oral arguments for January 10, 2025. BeLift Lab has pushed for an expedited trial, accusing Min of delaying proceedings, while her team insists HYBE must take responsibility for its actions. This legal battle continues to raise questions about artistic originality and accountability in the K-pop industry.