Source Music’s Min Hee-jin Criticizes Bang Si-hyuk Publicly; Hanni Pham Secured Spot via HYBE Audition

Legal Proceedings Unfold in High-Profile Entertainment Lawsuits

On January 10, the Seoul Western District Court’s Civil Division 12 convened to address two significant legal actions involving key players in South Korea’s entertainment industry. Belift Lab has initiated a lawsuit against Min Hee-jin, seeking a hefty 2 billion KRW in damages. Concurrently, Source Music is pursuing a separate claim for 500 million KRW.

Background of the Lawsuit

The court hearing was attended solely by legal representatives from both parties. During proceedings, the presiding judge highlighted that Min Hee-jin faces allegations of neglecting the debut process of NewJeans and disseminating misleading information, ultimately obstructing business operations. The plaintiff claims damages stem from canceled advertising contracts, totaling 501 million KRW.

As details unfolded, the judge noted that the defendant articulated her experiences with HYBE, discussing the group’s preparation and conflicts, particularly relating to the debut of another group, ILLIT, as well as internal whistleblowing. Min Hee-jin contended that her project, referred to as ‘S21,’ was aborted due to interference from the plaintiff.

Claims of Defamation and Responsibility

In addressing the matter of defamation, the judge stated, “We need to assess whether the defendant’s remarks carry defamatory implications.” The plaintiff expressed intentions to connect this case with the one filed by Belift Lab, receiving agreement from both parties to proceed.

The plaintiff remarked, “The defendant made baseless and insulting remarks during press conferences that were publicly viewable. The key issue is whether her statements qualify as falsehoods. NewJeans members were cast and trained for several years, with Hanni Pham selected through a global audition. The defendant did not lead the casting process, which was handled by HYBE.”

The plaintiffs further asserted that although the defendant was tasked with branding, she failed to meet deadlines and complete her responsibilities effectively.

Defense’s Arguments and Counterclaims

Min Hee-jin’s defense team responded vigorously, asserting that the inception of NewJeans occurred after Bang Si-hyuk enlisted her in 2019 to oversee the project. They emphasized that Min Hee-jin made all crucial decisions regarding the concept and member selection for the group, challenging the claim that Source Music administered the casting process.

The defense declared, “HYBE announced plans for a girl group reflecting Min Hee-jin’s unique style, leading to NewJeans’ creation. The assertion that Source Music was responsible for member casting is preposterous.”

Moreover, Min Hee-jin’s legal representatives indicated that the internal preparations for LE SSERAFIM began within Source Music, resulting in their debut prior to NewJeans. This situation prompted frustrations among NewJeans’ members and their families, ultimately leading to the group’s transfer to ADOR for an expedited debut. The defense contended that the lawsuits against Min Hee-jin appeared retaliatory, intended to silence her voice rather than reflect any genuine defamation.

Both parties have agreed to submit extensive documentation for review in the upcoming hearings, aiming for a more definitive resolution.

Background to the Dispute

This contentious legal battle traces back to April of the previous year when Min Hee-jin accused Belift Lab of infringing on NewJeans’ concept for ILLIT. She claimed the teaser imagery for ILLIT closely mirrored that of NewJeans, causing confusion among netizens. However, Belift Lab dismissed these allegations, asserting ILLIT’s branding was finalized well before the proposal referenced by Min.

In an escalating series of legal disputes, Belift Lab lodged a complaint against Min Hee-jin for obstruction of business and defamation, while she countered with a lawsuit against Belift Lab CEO Kim Tae-ho, seeking 5 billion KRW in damages. Min further claimed that some NewJeans members had been neglected while under Source Music’s management, and she raised concerns about LE SSERAFIM’s debut occurring before NewJeans. Source Music, on the other hand, refuted these claims, stating they have never copied Min Hee-jin’s strategies.

Recent Developments within HYBE

In parallel events, HYBE has conducted an audit against Min Hee-jin, alleging attempts by her to gain control over management aspects. Min has firmly denied these charges and held a press conference in April to assert that HYBE obstructed operations at ADOR. Following her resignation as an internal director at ADOR in November, the members of NewJeans announced the termination of their contracts, signaling a shift towards independent operations. Consequently, ADOR has pursued legal action to affirm the validity of their exclusive contracts with NewJeans.

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