Min Hee-jin Fires Back at Belift Lab, Defends NewJeans in ILLIT Controversy

Last updated:Nov 19, 2024 10:06 IST

ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin accused Belift Lab and HYBE of using ILLIT to protect themselves while neglecting the damage to NewJeans.

Belift Lab previously accused Min Hee-jin of deliberately delaying the trial. (Photo credits: Instagram)

The ongoing dispute between Min Hee-jin and Belift Lab has taken a dramatic turn. Min Hee-jin shared her concerns for the well-being of NewJeans amid the plagiarism controversy with ILLIT. The conflict started after Belift Lab filed a lawsuit against Min, asking for 2 billion Won (approximately Rs 12 crore) in damages, while claiming that ILLIT had copied NewJeans’ concepts. While the court was reviewing the case, Belift Lab requested that the trial be expedited and accused Min Hee-jin of deliberately delaying the trial. In response, Min Hee-jin has now issued a strong statement, accusing Belift Lab and HYBE of using ILLIT to protect themselves while neglecting the damage to NewJeans.

Speaking to Star News, former CEO Min Hee-jin said: “Despite clear testimony from an internal whistleblower at HYBE and clear similarities, they deny this and mislead public opinion. HYBE and Belift Lab raised an issue that could have been resolved internally, spreading numerous false claims, hampering business and slandering reputations. Without considering the damage NewJeans has suffered, they use aspiring artists as shields to claim business barriers. They need to look back and see who is really responsible for this situation.”

According to the portal, Min Hee-jin has previously taken legal action to prevent HYBE from using its voting rights to dismiss her from her position at ADOR. The court sided with her and prevented HYBE from proceeding with her removal. Tensions escalated when Min accused ILLIT of plagiarizing NewJeans. Belift Lab denied these allegations, stating that ILLIT’s draft was completed in July 2023, before the whistleblower reportedly shared the NewJeans material in late August.

In response, Belift Lab decided to file criminal complaints against Min, accusing her of defamation and disrupting business operations. They claimed that her actions had damaged ILLIT’s reputation and argued that she was using the controversy for personal gain. They expressed regret over her actions and said her accusations of plagiarism had a negative impact on the industry. They also warned that if such behavior continued, it could harm the work of other creators and suggested that Min Hee-jin would face serious consequences for her actions.

Meanwhile, the legal battle between former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and Belift Lab, the agency behind ILLIT, over plagiarism allegations will continue. The first court hearing in this case is scheduled for January 10, 2025.