This article is part of our coverage of HYBE vs. ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. You can read more and view the entire timeline here.
On May 22, 2024 (KST), ILLIT‘s management, BELIFT LAB, released a statement declaring the label would be suing ADOR‘s CEO, Min Hee Jin, for defamation.
The lawsuit followed Min Hee Jin’s shocking interview exposing ILLIT for “copying” NewJeans, which escalated even further during the first press conference, deepening the conflict.
Today (May 22), we have filed a complaint against CEO Min Hee Jin on charges of obstruction of business and defamation due to the damages she is causing by claiming one-sided false information against our company and our artist.
Regarding her allegations of ILLIT plagiarizing another artist, we would like to clarify that this is not true. We have submitted evidence to relevant law enforcement agencies to prove that the allegations differ from the truth. Even if it takes some time, we will sort out these disputes according to the legal processes…
…We would like to sincerely ask everyone to stop insulting, slandering, spreading false information, and defaming our artists. In the meantime, we will do our best to protect our artists. Thank you.
— BELIFT LAB
The statement garnered immense backlash from K-Pop fans who felt the lawsuit to be “the last straw” for the label and even the group.
Netizens Cancel Belift Lab’s ILLIT After Latest HYBE Escalation
Then, on May 30, 2024 (KST), Sports Kyunghyang reported that Min had won her injunction against HYBE amid the ongoing feud for power over the label.
The decision stops HYBE’s attempt at forcing ADOR to hold a shareholder’s meeting during which HYBE could use its 80% shareholder rights to force Min Hee Jin to step down.
— Sports Khyunghyang
Following the court decision, a lawyer who once worked for the Kim & Jang Law Firm (currently representing HYBE), took to their YouTube channel and weighed in on the future of BELIFT LAB’s lawsuit.
Under a comment asking about the lawsuit, and whether or not the latest development affects the outlook, Lawyer Kho Sang Rock @lawyersutube claimed its likelihood to be “acquitted.”
Yes, I expect it to be acquitted. The court’s decision [to side with Min] will be submitted as further evidence for investigation and it will have a significant role in persuading the police [to find Min innocent].
— Kho Sang Rock
It will take a while before there is development with BELIFT LAB’s case against Min Hee Jin, but based on Kho’s expertise on the matter, things are not looking good for the label.
Read more about the court decision here:
Why Did The Court Side With Min Hee Jin? Legitimate “Plagiarism And Discrimination” Concerns
