Girl group ILLIT’s agency Belift Lab is suing former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin for $1.4 million (2 billion won).
The first trial of the case against Min Hee Jin, presided over by Judge Kim Jin Young, took place at the Seoul Western District Court on January 10.
A second trial, the first hearing for Source Music’s separate 500 million KRW ($339,158) lawsuit against Min Hee Jin was held consecutively. Min Hee Jin did not attend either hearing in person, as both parties were represented by their respective legal teams.
The ILLIT agency accused the former CEO of emotional distress towards the women’s group, demanding damages.
“The defendant publicly targeted a group of rookie girls, ILLIT, shortly after their debut, causing significant emotional distress to these young girls. This must be corrected,” Belift’s lawyer said in his statement opening.
The agency said that while dance choreography for girl groups typically involves “repetitive movements with small variations,” Min had “claimed ownership of specific choreography” to directly target ILLIT.
“The defendant’s actions show malicious intent, as they promoted themselves by attacking another group. Such illegal actions should not be repeated,” Belift’s lawyer said.
In April 2024, Min Hee Jin accused ILLIT of “copying NewJeans in every aspect of entertainment businesses, including hair, makeup, styling, choreography, photography, videography, and event appearances.”
Agency Belift Lab countered that the CEO’s accusations were “unfounded” and that ILLIT had not plagiarized NewJeans’ concepts.
“The plaintiff’s argument is based on the emotional rhetoric of ‘targeting,’” Min’s lawyer said.
“NewJeans debuted eight months before ILLIT, and after ILLIT debuted, accusations of plagiarism surfaced from the public, the media, and even the members’ parents.”
“In response, the defendant, ADOR’s CEO at the time, sent two internal emails in an attempt to resolve the matter. However, HYBE conducted an illegal audit and media scrutiny intensified,” he continued the lawyer.
“To explain the situation, the defendant held a press conference. Taking into account the context, the defendant’s remarks were made as part of her duty as CEO of the NewJeans agency to address the issue and highlight concerns relating to K-pop production practices for the public Good.”
Both sides agreed to present their arguments at the next trial, scheduled for March 7.
