BELIFT LAB And Source Music Lose Lawsuits Against Min Hee Jin, Including A 2 Billion Won Claim
HYBE label BELIFT LAB has lost in the first trial of its damages lawsuit against former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin.
The court determined that Min Hee Jin’s remarks that BELIFT LAB’s girl group ILLIT plagiarized ADOR’s NewJeans amount to the expression of a subjective opinion.
On November 13, Civil Division 12 of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Jin Young) ruled against the plaintiff in the 2 billion won (about $1.4 million) damages lawsuit BELIFT LAB filed against Min Hee Jin.
The court viewed Min Hee Jin’s remarks to the effect that “ILLIT copied NewJeans in areas such as hair, makeup and choreography” as a subjective expression of opinion rather than a statement of fact, and did not accept BELIFT LAB’s claim. It also found that even if the remarks were treated as a statement of fact, they fall within the scope of freedom of expression considering social interest.
The court also dismissed the 5 billion won (about $3.6 million) counterclaim Min Hee Jin filed against BELIFT LAB. Each side was ordered to bear the costs of the suit it filed.
Min Hee Jin raised the allegation that ILLIT copied NewJeans at a press conference in April 2024. BELIFT LAB filed the suit, claiming the remarks were false and damaged its reputation.
Meanwhile, Source Music also lost in its 500 million won (about $360,000) damages lawsuit, in which it claimed Min Hee Jin’s claims related to NewJeans’ debut were false. Min Hee Jin also claimed that Source Music neglected NewJeans members when they were trainees. Some NewJeans members are former Source Music trainees. The court likewise found it hard to view these remarks as false statements of fact. It added, “Even if the remarks lowered Source Music’s social standing, they were for the public interest and are not unlawful.”
Separately from this civil case, Min Hee Jin, who raised the plagiarism allegation, was referred to the prosecution in October on charges of obstruction of business and defamation after a criminal complaint.
Min Hee Jin’s side said of winning both cases that day, “The plaintiff repeatedly engaged in impure conduct, such as numerous trial delays and changes to the grounds for its claim, showing it never intended to proceed with the lawsuit quickly. We view the judiciary as having made a commonsense judgment on the excessive legal offensive and shifting of blame.” They added, “So-called ‘strategic blockade lawsuits’ filed on absurd grounds should no longer be able to gain a foothold in the industry. With this ruling as an opportunity, we will put an end to the draining controversy and respond firmly and by the book to help create a healthy industry environment.”
Meanwhile, BELIFT LAB and Source Music, the two HYBE labels, protested the ruling and said they will appeal. BELIFT LAB said, “It is very regrettable that a ruling came out to the effect that there is a victim but no perpetrator. If clear victims and clear acts of harm are too hastily given an acquittal on the grounds of ‘expression of opinion’ or ‘rhetorical expression,’ second and third victims will continue to appear.” They added, “Investigators referred Min Hee Jin’s remarks with an opinion to indict, and we submitted the referral decision and requested the resumption of proceedings, but it was not accepted. We did not even get a chance to have the decisive evidence we newly secured and submitted examined. We will appeal immediately and seek the judgment of a higher court.”
Source Music also said, “We feel sorry and helpless to face the reality that evidence we submitted pointing clearly to the truth was not protected by the law.” They added, “Min Hee Jin’s reckless false remarks caused enormous damage to a label where trust between trainees and artists is absolute. We will appeal immediately, correct the unfairness of the first-trial ruling, protect our artists, and make every effort to uncover the objective truth.”
Source: (A)
