Min Hee Jin is facing controversy in a ongoing legal battle. The former CEO of ADOR is being sued by BELIFT LAB for 2.5 billion KRW (about $1.9 million). The lawsuit claims that ILLIT, her new girl group, copied the concept of NewJeans.
The third hearing took place on July 18 at Seoul Western District Court. ILLIT’s legal team firmly denied the claims. They pointed out inconsistencies in Min’s accusations.
ILLIT submitted evidence showing similarities between NewJeans and earlier girl group GFriend. They highlighted techniques used in GFriend’s music videos, such as transitioning from 16:9 to 4:3 video formats, wide-angle shots, and school uniform themes. These were utilized by GFriend five to six years prior to NewJeans’ debut.
"Just as NewJeans is not considered a copy of GFriend, ILLIT should not be called a copy of NewJeans simply because of a few overlapping elements," said ILLIT’s agency.
"Someone with as much experience in the entertainment industry as Min Hee Jin should understand that these similarities are often coincidental and not evidence of deliberate copying."
In April 2023, Min Hee Jin stirred up drama by revealing internal conflicts with HYBE executives, including Chairman Bang Si Hyuk. She claimed that HYBE delayed the promotion of NewJeans and prioritized LE SSERAFIM. Min also accused ILLIT of imitating NewJeans’ concepts.
In response, SOURCE MUSIC, the agency behind LE SSERAFIM, filed a defamation lawsuit against Min for 500 million KRW (around $359,300). BELIFT LAB joined in with their own lawsuit for reputational damage.
During the July hearing, ILLIT countered Min’s assertions about promotional methods. They argued that using outdoor screens and iconic poses was common in the industry.
"We are not saying NewJeans copied anyone else," the agency commented.
"We are simply pointing out that by Min Hee Jin’s own logic, NewJeans could also be viewed as copying earlier idols."
The situation continues to spark discussions in the K-pop industry about originality and inspiration.
Stay tuned for updates as this legal drama unfolds.
