As HYBE vs. ADOR CEO Min Hee-Jin continues to grow heated, Belift Lab, the new girl group ILLIT agency, finally strikes back after Min Hee-Jin accuses them of copying girl group NewJeans. 

According to a South Korean news outlet OSEN report, Belift Lab fired back after Min Hee-Jin dragged the new girl group into her ongoing fight against HYBE. 

As said in their statement, Belift Lab submitted a complaint against Min Hee-Jin for causing irreparable damage by making unilateral false claims (defamation) against their company and their artists, particularly ILLIT, resulting in obstruction of business.

The agency clarified that the plagiarism allegations raised by CEO Min against ILLIT are false. The label submitted evidence to the judicial authorities to deny these allegations. Though it will take some time, Belift Lab is determined to stand with the truth through legal procedures, quite far from the hasty PR spectacle the ADOR CEO did only a few weeks ago. 

Belift Lab added that despite ILLIT being unrelated to the HYBE audit for ADOR, the girl group has been subjected to severe, malicious comments, ongoing online ridicule, and personal attacks. The agency led this fight to stop the spread of false information, malicious slander, and indiscriminate insults against ILLIT. 

In April, HYBE initiated an audit due to allegations of Min Hee-jin and ADOR executives attempting to seize management rights. In response, Min Hee-Jin claimed that ILLIT’s concept is similar to NewJeans, alleging that the new girl group copied them. 

Below is the full statement from the agency: 

Today (May 22), we submitted a complaint against CEO Min Hee-jin, who has been causing damage by making unilateral false claims against our company and artists for obstruction of business and defamation.

Belift Lab

Below is the full statement from the agency:

“Hello,

This is Belift Lab.

Today (May 22), we submitted a complaint against CEO Min Hee-jin, who has been causing damage by making unilateral false claims against our company and artists for obstruction of business and defamation.

We clarify that the plagiarism allegations raised by CEO Min against our artist I-LIT are not true. 

We have submitted evidence to judicial authorities proving that these allegations are false, and although it may take some time, we will determine the truth through legal procedures.

The issue of whether intellectual property is plagiarized should be judged based on reasonable standards and procedures, not one-sided and distorted interpretations. Nonetheless, we express regret that our artists’ and staff’s efforts and achievements are being undermined by indiscriminate speculation and false information.

Additionally, although this matter is unrelated to ILLIT, the members have been subjected to severe malicious comments, ridicule, and personal attacks. We earnestly request that the indiscriminate insults, malicious slander, spreading of false information, and defamation against our artists stop.

We will do our best to protect our artists and staff.

Thank you.”

In her recent statement, CEO Min Hee-jin claimed her fight against HYBE was a “David and Goliath,” posing as an underdog. After HYBE held a raid and audit, CEO Min pushed the spotlight to the newly debuted girl group ILLIT, claiming HYBE chairman Bang Si-Hyuk and BeLift Lab conspired to create this group in the image of NewJeans. 

The internal fight of agencies under and with HYBE is affecting its artists. Many await how this will affect NewJeans’ upcoming comeback this May, while others see if ILLIT will survive this PR nightmare. 

Source: Osen

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