The lawsuit filed against former CEO Min Hee-jin of ADOR, which manages K-pop group NewJeans, will start in January.
Belift Lab, the agency of girl group ILLIT, filed the lawsuit against Min Hee-jin after she accused ILLIT of plagiarizing NewJeans.
Belift Lab and ADOR are under parent company HYBE.
ILLIT (top) and NewJeans (X)
Korean media outlet Star News reported that the Seoul Western District Court will hold the first oral argument for the damages filed by Belift Lab against Min Hee-jin on Jan. 10.
Belift Lab is claiming two billion won (about $1.4 million) in damages against her.
The agency previously denied that ILLIT plagiarized NewJeans’ plan and filed the lawsuit in June.
Belift Lab stated that the branding strategy and concept for ILLIT were finalized and shared internally on July 21, 2023. The plan for NewJeans was sent on Aug. 28, 2023, it added.
Min Hee-jin claimed that ILLIT plagiarized NewJeans during an injunction lawsuit hearing of the Seoul Central District Court.
Besides the lawsuit, Belift Lab filed a complaint for obstruction of business and defamation against Min Hee-jin, stating that "Min Hee-jin sacrificed an innocent rookie group for her own personal gain."
Meanwhile, NewJeans made several demands from HYBE, including the reinstatement of Mni Hee-jin as ADOR CEO.
NewJeans, in the document, stated that if their demands are turned down, they will seek to terminate their exclusive contracts.
They previously requested HYBE to bring back Min Hee-jin but it was turned down.