This case stems from allegations of plagiarism concerning Ailift, with a 2 billion won lawsuit in motion.
Min is also involved in ongoing lawsuits related to HYBE.
The lawsuit between former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin and Belift Lab is set to resume. The Seoul Western District Court’s Civil Division 12 will hold its sixth hearing for the damage compensation claim filed by Belift Lab against Min Hee-jin on the afternoon of the 15th. This hearing comes about two months after the court changed the previous hearing date to a tentative schedule in March.
This lawsuit originated from remarks made by Min Hee-jin during an emergency press conference in April 2024, where she claimed that Belift Lab's group Ailift had plagiarized NewJeans. She alleged that Ailift was being evaluated as 'Min Hee-jin type' and 'NewJeans sub-type.' In response, Belift Lab filed a lawsuit demanding 2 billion won in damages, stating that the claims were baseless and harmed the new group's reputation.
In previous hearings, Belift Lab argued that Min strategized to escalate the plagiarism controversy, while Min’s side countered that her comments were necessary to protect artist identity. Both sides exhibit sharp divisions over the evidential value of KakaoTalk conversations and the truthfulness of the statements made. Meanwhile, a separate hearing for a 500 million won damage suit filed by Source Music against Min concerning alleged casting issues is postponed to the 29th. Min is also involved in ongoing civil lawsuits with HYBE over foot option payments and a separate damage claim related to contract disputes with NewJeans.
This lawsuit stands out as a significant case in the Korean music industry, highlighting issues related to artist identity and creative ownership. Min Hee-jin's comments can be interpreted not merely as personal opinions but as a deliberate attempt to emphasize the symbolism of the artists she nurtured. This raises broader questions on how to protect the independence of creators and individual artists.
Furthermore, Belift Lab’s filing of this lawsuit reflects the company's commitment to actively defend artists against infringement, signaling their intention to uphold the trust and protection of their talent. How an agency confronts potential violations of its artists' creations could significantly impact future business models and link various economic interests across the industry.
Ultimately, this case could provide a turning point that transcends simple legal conflicts, strengthening the rights of all artists and creators, and initiating an important discourse on redefining the boundaries of plagiarism and artistic creation.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: TVDaily
