Min Hee-Jin, former CEO of Ador and The Creative Mind Behind the Girl Group Newjeans, has again aroused the debate, this time accusing his colleague Hybe Group years of copying the Hanbok themed photo shoot.
During the third hearing of an KRW civil case of 2.5 billion presented by Hybe Labels against Min on July 18 at the Western District Court of Soul, the Min mined team raised one of the most controversial issues: the surprising resemblance between the photos of Hanbok of Newjeans and illegal.
“At a glance, it is difficult to say if they are different groups or the same group”, said the side of min. “From color schemes, stage objects, style, backgrounds, compositions, positioning of the members, direction of the gaze, lighting: everything is alarming.”
Min’s team also compared the official debut apparitions of both groups, claiming that Illit imitated Newjeans’ first public appearance. “The members of Newjeans have officially made their faces known in an event of Chanel, and Illit reflected that by making their first appearance in a fashion show. Their hair, makeup and general style were so similar that the Netizen commented things like” Isn’t this Newjeans? “Or” I thought it was a Newjeans post by mistake “.
Illit’s visual identity is also under fire. The representatives of Min say that the photographers and the design of the Illit album up closely imitate the retro Newjeans retro -inspired concept.
“Illit’s logo, pixelated characters and single -tone illustrations on white backgrounds reflect the same aesthetics for which the Newjeans are known.”
Choreography has also been highlighted. Illit’s “My World” presents the same moves found in Newjeans’ attention “and their” magnetic “include the key choreography of” ditto “of Newjeans”, supported the min.
Min Hee-Jin had previously made similar accusations during an explosive press conference in April 2024, where he also revealed internal conflicts with Hybe’s managers. He said that although Newjeans was the first group of Ador girls, Hybe gave priority to Le Sserafim’s debut and limited his team to promote Newjeans before that.
In response, the music of origin (Le Sserafim Agency) has filed a KRW cause for defamation. Belift Lab, Illlit’s agency, followed a complaint for KRW 2 billion damage, stating that the accusations of Min have damaged the group reputation.
While the legal battles continue and the Court weighs the accusations, the K-Pop community is divided: transforming larger questions about originality, influence and creative property in the always competitive sector.
