ILLIT's Agency Sues Min Hee-jin for Defamation Amid Plagiarism Allegations

연합뉴스 / 2024-05-22 11:28:29

▲ ILLIT, a new-face girl group from Hybe, is seen in this photo provided by its management label Belift Lab. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- Belift Lab, a label under HYBE, has filed a lawsuit against Min Hee-jin, CEO of ADOR, on charges of interference with business and defamation, following her allegations that ILLIT plagiarized NewJeans.

On the 22nd, Belift Lab released a statement, saying, "We have submitted a complaint against CEO Min Hee-jin for making unilateral false claims against our company and our artists, causing damage."

Last month, during a press conference, CEO Min accused Belift Lab's new girl group ILLIT of copying NewJeans, publicly raising suspicions of plagiarism.

Belift Lab asserted, "We clearly state that the plagiarism allegations made by CEO Min regarding our artist ILLIT are not true. We have provided evidence to judicial authorities proving these allegations are false, and although it may take some time, we will resolve the issue through lawful procedures."

They further emphasized, "The determination of plagiarism regarding intellectual property should follow appropriate standards and procedures. Despite this, it is regrettable that our artists' efforts and achievements are being undermined by baseless speculation and false claims."

▲ ILLIT, a new-face girl group from Hybe, is seen in this photo provided by its management label Belift Lab. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ K-pop girl group NewJeans is seen in this photo provided by ADOR. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Belift Lab also noted that ILLIT members have been subjected to severe malicious comments, ridicule, and personal attacks unrelated to the core issue, urging the cessation of these defamatory attacks.

Belift Lab pleaded, "We earnestly ask for an end to the indiscriminate insults, malicious slander, dissemination of false information, and defamation against our artists."