The first hearing for Source Music’s 500 million won damages lawsuit has been set for January 10 next year by the Civil Division 12 of the Seoul Western District Court.
Source Music filed this lawsuit against former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin through the Seoul Western District Court last July.
Source Music has sought compensation through legal action for damages caused by Min Hee-jin’s claims related to NewJeans’ debut. Previously, Min held a press conference where he claimed that Source Music had neglected some members of NewJeans while they were under the company and questioned why LE SSERAFIM debuted before NewJeans.
In this regard, Source Music refuted Min Hee-jin’s claims in detail, stating: “His claim that Source Music copied his launch strategy is false. Source Music never copied Min Hee-jin’s strategy or acknowledged any of her complaints.”
The company added: “In May 2020, HYBE president Bang Si-hyuk suggested that the launch strategy proposed by Min Hee-jin, then CBO, should be implemented not through Team N, but through a “new team” to be established under a label that she herself would have established. Despite being fully aware of this context, Min distorts the facts to make it appear that President Bang suggested that Min’s launch strategy be carried out through Team N.”
Source Music highlighted: “Min Hee-jin continues to spread false information about Source Music. In addition to the damages lawsuit already filed against you, we intend to take strong legal action on this matter as well. If necessary, we are willing to reveal all the evidence we have to clarify the truth.”
Coincidentally, Min Hee-jin is also involved in a 2 billion won damages lawsuit with Belift Lab over allegations that his group ILLIT plagiarized the NewJeans concept.
The 12th Civil Division of Seoul Western District Court will hold the first hearing on January 10 next year for the damages lawsuit filed by ILLIT’s Belift Lab agency against former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin.
Belift Lab previously filed this lawsuit in June, denying allegations that ILLIT plagiarized NewJeans’ planning proposal. Belift Lab said: “ILLIT’s branding strategy and concept were finalized and shared internally on July 21, 2023. The so-called “planning proposal” was sent by the whistleblower later, on August 28, 2023, making it impossible for it to have influenced ILLIT’s concept.”
In this regard, Min Hee-jin’s representative told Star News on November 18: “Despite detailed testimony from a HYBE insider and clear similarities, they are denying it and misleading the public. HYBE and Belift Lab are those who spread numerous falsehoods, hinder business and commit defamation by bringing to the public a problem that could have been resolved internally.” The representative also criticized: “Rather than consider the harm caused to NewJeans, they are using debut artists as a shield to claim obstruction of business. They need to reflect on who is truly responsible.”
During a preliminary hearing held by the 50 Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Chief Judge Kim Sang-hoon) regarding HYBE’s exercise of voting rights, Min Hee-jin stated that “ILLIT plagiarized NewJeans” and revealed testimony from an internal HYBE employee. According to the testimony, ILLIT’s creative director had received NewJeans’ planning documents during ILLIT’s design phase, and the two concepts were reportedly identical. The informant further stated: “I couldn’t imagine that they would do it exactly the same way.”
Meanwhile, on November 20, Min Hee-jin announced through her legal representative: “Today I resign from the position of internal director of ADOR. I am also terminating the shareholders agreement with HYBE and will hold them legally responsible for violating the agreement. Furthermore, I will take necessary legal actions one by one against HYBE and its affiliates for their numerous illegal acts.” In response, ADOR released an official statement expressing regret over Min’s unilateral resignation notice, briefly stating: “We will do our best to support NewJeans so that they can grow and develop further.“
Source: Daum
