Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin Wins Court Battle Against HYBE’s Belift Lab Over ILLIT-NewJeans Copying Allegations

Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin has secured a legal victory in her ongoing dispute with HYBE subsidiary Belift Lab over allegations that girl group ILLIT copied NewJeans.

A Seoul court on Friday, Nov. 13, rejected the agency’s damages lawsuit against Min, bringing a significant development in one of K-pop’s most closely watched corporate disputes.

Belift Lab had sought 2 billion won (approximately $1.5 million) in compensation, accusing Min of damaging its reputation through claims that ILLIT had imitated NewJeans. However, the court found insufficient grounds to accept the agency’s defamation argument, ruling that Min’s remarks represented her subjective opinion.

The decision also went against Min in a separate part of the proceedings, as the court dismissed her countersuit seeking 5 billion won in damages from Belift Lab.

Seoul Court Rejects Belift Lab’s Defamation Claims

According to the ruling, the Seoul Western District Court rejected Belift Lab’s argument that Min had defamed the company by spreading false information about ILLIT.

The lawsuit originated from a press conference Min held in April 2024, during which she alleged that ILLIT had copied the concept and creative identity of ADOR’s girl group NewJeans. Her comments quickly became a major talking point in the wider conflict between HYBE and its subsidiary ADOR.

Belift Lab, which manages ILLIT and operates under HYBE, disputed the accusations and pursued legal action, arguing that Min’s statements had harmed the company’s reputation.

However, the court viewed her remarks as an expression of subjective opinion rather than grounds for the defamation claim brought by the agency. Consequently, it rejected Belift Lab’s demand for 2 billion won in compensation.

The judgment marks an important setback for the agency, which had sought financial damages over the public accusations.

Min Hee-jin’s Counterclaim for 5 Billion Won Also Dismissed

While the court ruled against Belift Lab in its damages lawsuit, Min Hee-jin did not receive the outcome she sought in her own legal action.

The former ADOR CEO had filed a countersuit against Belift Lab, demanding 5 billion won in damages. However, the Seoul Western District Court dismissed her claim as well.

The decision means that neither side secured the financial compensation requested through the respective civil lawsuits.

Although the ruling represents a victory for Min against Belift Lab’s defamation allegations, the dismissal of her countersuit makes the outcome more complicated than a straightforward win for either party.

Nevertheless, the court’s assessment of her April 2024 remarks is particularly significant, given that the ILLIT-NewJeans copying allegations became one of the most prominent disputes during the public fallout between HYBE and Min.

How Did ILLIT-NewJeans Copying Controversy Began?

The disagreement gained widespread attention in April 2024, when Min publicly accused ILLIT of resembling NewJeans.

At the time, the allegations added another layer to the growing conflict between HYBE and ADOR, the company behind NewJeans. Min questioned the similarities between the two groups, bringing attention to their concepts and overall creative direction.

Belift Lab strongly disputed the accusations, defending ILLIT and challenging Min’s statements. The disagreement subsequently moved beyond public exchanges, resulting in legal action between the parties.

The controversy also drew considerable attention from K-pop fans, with discussions about artistic originality, creative direction, and similarities between idol groups dominating online conversations.

For ILLIT and NewJeans, the dispute became part of a much larger corporate conflict that extended beyond the groups themselves and involved their respective management structures.

Criminal Investigation Against Min Hee-jin Remains Separate

Despite the favorable civil court ruling, Min Hee-jin continues to face another legal challenge connected to the dispute.

She is involved in a separate criminal case concerning alleged defamation against Belift Lab. Police referred the matter to prosecutors last month on suspicion of defamation and obstruction of business.

This proceeding is separate from the civil damages lawsuit decided on Friday. Therefore, the court’s rejection of Belift Lab’s compensation claim does not automatically resolve the criminal allegations or determine the outcome of the separate investigation.

The distinction is important because the civil case focused on Belift Lab’s demand for financial compensation, while the criminal proceedings concern allegations that Min’s statements constituted offenses under the law.

The latest judgment therefore does not bring an end to the wider legal conflict between the former ADOR chief and HYBE’s subsidiary.

Legal Dispute Adds Another Chapter to the HYBE-ADOR Conflict

The ruling represents another major development in the prolonged dispute surrounding HYBE, ADOR, Min Hee-jin, and the two girl groups at the center of the controversy.

While Belift Lab’s attempt to obtain 2 billion won in damages has been rejected, the dismissal of Min’s 5 billion won countersuit means the civil proceedings have not resulted in compensation for either party.

Attention will now turn to the separate criminal proceedings and any further legal developments involving Min and Belift Lab.