Belift Lab Files Report Against CEO Min on ‘NewJeans Copycat’ Claims
Subsidiary of BTS agency HYBE, Belift Lab, declared on Wednesday that it had filed a report against CEO Min for calling its quintet ILLIT a “NewJeans copycat.” This charge emerged in the middle of Min’s continuous dispute with HYBE, which also controls ADOR.
Belift Lab statement
The claims of plagiarism made by CEO Min against our artist ILLIT are untrue, Belift Lab stressed in a press release. Intellectual property (IP) plagiarism should be judged fairly by rules and criteria rather than arbitrarily and one-sidedly by one person. We regret greatly the current state of affairs in which unfounded speculations are used to disparage the efforts and accomplishments of our artists and personnel.”
Min’s Statements and User Reactions
Min claims she is being targeted for reprisals after filing an internal report against HYBE citing ILLIT’s resemblance to NewJeans. Fans of both groups are now divided on whether the similarity is noteworthy enough for an agency head to make a public comment.
Regarding ILLIT Members
Belift Lab voiced worries for ILLIT members, saying, “The members of ILLIT are suffering from severe insults and attacks, even though they remain irrelevant to the core of the matter. We humbly request that you cease all of the nasty remarks, unfounded charges, and slander of the artists.”
Background information on ILLIT
In March 2023, ILLIT made their Belift Lab debut with the song “Super Real Me,” having been established through JTBC’s idol audition program “R U Next?” This summer, the group has performances booked at the Weverse Con Festival, KCON Japan 2024, and the Rakuten Girls Award 2024 Spring/Summer.
Call for Just Evaluation
Belift Lab stressed again that charges of plagiarism should be assessed according to accepted norms and laws rather than personal opinions. The agency pledges to defend its artists against untrue accusations and to provide a just and dignified atmosphere for their artistic pursuits.