BELIFT LAB vs. Min Heejin, a lawsuit for 2 billion damages...full-scale trial to begin next January

A 2 billion won ($1.2 million) damages lawsuit filed by Group ILLIT's agency BELIFT LAB against Adore's in-house director Min Hee-jin is set to go to trial in January next year.

According to legal circles, the 12th Civil Division of the Seoul West District Court will hold the first defense period of the damages lawsuit filed by BELIFT LAB against Min Hee-jin on Jan. 10, 2025. In June, BELIFT LAB filed a lawsuit for 2 billion won ($1.2 million) in damages against Min, claiming that the group plagiarized a news article.

Min claimed that ILLIT's overall concept, including hair, makeup, costumes, and choreography, was copied from NewJeans, "undermining the identity of NewJeans," she said. Based on the testimony of a HYBE whistleblower, she claimed that ILLIT's creative director envisioned ILLIT's branding based on NewJeans's plan.

In response, BELIFT LAB denied the allegations, saying, "The concept of ILLIT was finalized on July 21, 2023, and it has nothing to do with August 28, when NewJeans's plan was delivered." BELIFT LAB CEO Kim Tae-ho appeared as a witness at the National Audit Service and said, "The plagiarism allegations are false," and revealed that the company has filed a civil and criminal lawsuit against director Min Hee-jin.

Director Min Hee-jin said at an emergency press conference in April, "This kind of copying harms ILLIT as well. Everyone becomes news," reigniting the plagiarism controversy. On the other hand, BELIFT LAB criticized Min's comments as "scapegoating an innocent group of rookies," and countered that "her actions are having a negative impact on pop culture and creators."

Min's representatives also criticized BELIFT LAB's response, saying that the company is "distorting public opinion by denying specific testimony from a HYBE whistleblower," and that "it is HYBE and BELIFT LAB who are using ILLIT as a shield," and that they will vigorously prove their position during the lawsuit."

BELIFT LAB, meanwhile, is also suing Min for business interference and defamation. CEO Kim Tae-ho is taking a hardline stance, saying, "We need to correct the allegations that are stifling creators' creative activities."

The civil lawsuit over the plagiarism controversy will begin in earnest next January. The outcome of the trial will have a major impact on the entertainment industry and the creative environment of pop culture.