“ILLIT Plagiarism Lawsuit” Trial Scheduled for January 2024 with Damages Amounting to 2 Billion KRW

Seoul Court Sets Hearing Date for Major Damages Lawsuit Involving Belift Lab and Former CEO Min Hee Jin

In a significant development within the K-pop industry, the Seoul Western District Court’s Civil Division 12 has scheduled the initial hearing date for Belift Lab’s lawsuit against former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin on January 10, 2025. The lawsuit seeks damages amounting to an impressive 2 billion KRW, indicating the seriousness of the allegations involved.

This legal action stems from accusations that ILLIT, an agency affiliated with Min Hee Jin, plagiarized strategic plans associated with the hit group NewJeans. Belift Lab officially denied these plagiarism allegations back in June, asserting that ILLIT’s branding strategy was concluded and disseminated internally as of July 21, 2023. They argue that the whistleblower’s report, which is alleged to be dated August 28, 2023, could not have impacted ILLIT’s established concept.

Whistleblower Claims and Implications

During a previous injunction hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, Min Hee Jin’s representatives disclosed whistleblower reports from internal HYBE employees. These reports claimed that ILLIT’s creative director received similar plans during ILLIT’s planning stages, suggesting a troubling level of similarity between the two groups. One whistleblower reportedly expressed disbelief regarding the extent of copying, stating, “I never imagined they would copy it exactly.”

Accusations of Malfeasance Against Min Hee Jin

In a further twist, Belift Lab has accused Min Hee Jin of obstructing business and defamation. The company alleges she made false statements that damaged both ILLIT and Belift Lab’s reputations. Belift Lab’s statement was pointed: “Min Hee Jin sacrificed an innocent rookie group for her personal gain. Her unfounded plagiarism allegations, aimed at securing personal benefits, have had a detrimental effect on popular culture. Allowing such behavior unchallenged will stifle the creative endeavors of artists across the industry.”

Min Hee Jin’s Public Response

On April 25, Min Hee Jin addressed the plagiarism controversy in a press conference, emphasizing the similarities between the two groups while expressing concern. She implored, “Who truly benefits from this? This situation is damaging ILLIT as well. If this continues, all creative output will simply reflect NewJeans. The blame lies with the adults involved, not the artists.”

Belift Lab’s CEO Responds

Reacting to Min Hee Jin’s statements, Belift Lab’s CEO, Kim Tae Ho, expressed his disappointment in her comments. He stated, “If she genuinely believes ‘the kids are not at fault,’ she should refrain from invoking artists unnecessarily. Such claims serve to incite her supporters to target and malign ILLIT, which is disheartening.”

Kim further remarked, “It is astonishing that someone with extensive experience in this industry would make such unfounded accusations. This unfortunate incident stems from baseless allegations motivated by personal interests.”

Conclusion

The upcoming hearing is poised to shed light on the intricate issues surrounding intellectual property, creative ownership, and ethical practices within the K-pop industry. As this situation unfolds, it will undoubtedly engage fans and industry professionals alike.

Source: Daum

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