Home » News » ILLIT's plagiarism of NewJeans to damaging reputation of HYBE artists - Scandal involving ADOR's Min Hee Jin
ILLIT's plagiarism of NewJeans to damaging reputation of HYBE artists - Scandal involving ADOR's Min Hee Jin
Fans of several HYBE groups, including TXT, LE SSERAFIM, and even BTS, have expressed their fury online in response to these serious charges, worried for the careers and well-being of their idols.
Apr 22, 2024
ADOR's Min Hee Jin
A controversy broke out on April 22 when HYBE Labels opened an audit against Min Hee Jin, the CEO of its subsidiary ADOR. Many rumours are circulating about improperly handling sensitive material and attempting to sway public opinion. However, according to Min Hee Jin, she had been worried that she would lose NewJeans because a new girl group called ILLIT was making their HYBE debut.
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HYBE's investigation was reportedly sparked by an anonymous tip that claimed ADOR had engaged in misconduct. It is said that Min Hee Jin and her allies—who are only known as CEOs 'A' and 'B'—planned this action to seize control of ADOR by influencing public opinion against HYBE.
According to Korean media sources, the people involved may have jeopardized the safety and reputation of musicians by disclosing private information about them and confidential contract terms between ADOR and HYBE. These moves are thought to be a part of a calculated plan to put pressure on HYBE to give up its 80% ownership of ADOR to investors who share Min's goals.
Fans of several HYBE groups, including TXT, LE SSERAFIM, and even BTS, have expressed their fury online in response to these serious charges, worried for the careers and well-being of their idols.
Meanwhile, according to Korean media outlet Hankyung, in an interview on April 22, 2024, Min Hee Jin expressed her worries about the possible loss of NewJeans, which were sparked by the introduction of a new girl group under HYBE.
ILLIT debuted under BeLift Lab, a HYBE affiliate, in March 2024. Many fans had expressed concerns — some even accusing of plagiarism — about ILLIT's concept's resemblance to NewJeans even before its debut.
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Min Hee Jin and the ADOR internal management board had been contacting BeLift Lab regularly before the audit but to no avail. Only one week prior, ADOR had formally asked for a comment from them about the purported plagiarism that was hurting NewJeans' reputation.
"ILLIT copying NewJeans is not something that BeLift Lab did themselves, but HYBE was related to it as well. HYBE, who claims to be the leader of K-Pop, was blinded by profits, and they are copying successful cultural content without any hesitation at all. ADOR has never allowed anyone to copy NewJeans’ results," Min Hee Jin is said to have said.
However, according to Market Insight from Hankyung News, an insider stated that Min Hee Jin intended to use her connection to NewJeans to coerce HYBE into giving up ownership of the company. The announcement coincides with a broad backlash she faced following her botched attempt.
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