BELIFT Lab Files Lawsuit Against Min Hee-jin for Plagiarism of NewJeans—Damages Claimed at 2 Billion Won ($1.43M)

BELIFT Lab, the agency behind ILLIT, has filed a 2 billion won lawsuit against former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin for alleged plagiarism involving NewJeans. The first trial is scheduled for January 10, 2025.

The Lawsuit Details

According to Star News on the 18th, the 12th Civil Affairs Department (D) of the Seoul Western District Court will hear the case, which accuses Min Hee-jin of defamation and plagiarism. BELIFT Lab has demanded 2 billion won in damages, citing significant harm caused to ILLIT’s reputation and operations.

The controversy began during an October injunction hearing in the 50th Civil Agreement Division of the Seoul Central District Court, where Min alleged that ILLIT’s creative director had requested and replicated NewJeans’ planning documents during the early stages of ILLIT’s conception. Min claimed the plans were "identical."

Previous Allegations by Min Hee-jin

Min had previously raised similar accusations at an emergency press conference on April 25. At the time, she argued, "Who benefits from this? This is ruining ILLIT as well. If this continues, everyone will become NewJeans. I am not slandering ILLIT. What crime did they commit? The adults are the problem."

In response, BELIFT Lab firmly denied these claims, stating, "ILLIT’s branding strategy and concept were finalized and shared internally on July 21, 2023. The so-called 'plan' was sent by the informant on August 28, 2023, well after our concept was completed. Given the timing, it is impossible for the concept to have been influenced."

BELIFT’s Countermeasures

To address the allegations, BELIFT Lab released a video in June refuting the claims of plagiarism and providing evidence to support their position. The agency then filed both civil and criminal lawsuits against Min for obstruction of business and defamation.

Kim Tae-ho, BELIFT Lab CEO and HYBE's Chief Operating Officer, later appeared as a witness at the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee’s audit in the National Assembly. Kim stated, "As the CEO of BELIFT Lab, I have filed civil and criminal lawsuits against former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin. I am awaiting the judiciary's decision and plan to present various materials and evidence in court to prove these allegations false."

Kim expressed his frustration over the situation, adding, "It’s shocking that someone with so much experience in this industry could make such baseless claims. It’s difficult to forgive that these absurd accusations were made for one individual’s selfish desires."

What’s Next?

The first trial, set for January 10, 2025, will allow both sides to present their cases. BELIFT Lab remains steadfast in its commitment to clearing ILLIT’s name and holding Min Hee-jin accountable for the alleged damage caused by her claims.

This legal battle marks a significant moment not only for the involved parties but also for the broader entertainment and creative industries, as it underscores the importance of intellectual property and reputation management.