Belift Lab CEO Kim Tae-ho: "ILLIT's Alleged Plagiarism of NewJeans Is Completely Unfounded"... Strong Denial at Parliamentary Audit

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Belift Lab’s CEO, Kim Tae-ho, strongly denied the allegations of ILLIT plagiarizing NewJeans during a parliamentary audit conducted by the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee on the 24th.

This statement comes amid escalating tensions between HYBE and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin.

As a witness at the audit, Kim Tae-ho firmly stated, "The claim that ILLIT plagiarized NewJeans is completely false."

He added, "We have filed a civil lawsuit and criminal charges against former CEO Min Hee-jin.

Following proper legal procedures, we will provide evidence and data to the court to prove that these claims are baseless."

This controversy stems from a recent whistleblower report from a HYBE insider, made public by Min Hee-jin's camp.

The whistleblower claimed that ILLIT’s creative director had requested NewJeans’ project proposal during the planning phase, further alleging that ILLIT’s concept was identical to NewJeans’.

Belift Lab quickly refuted these claims, pointing out a timeline discrepancy.

A Belift Lab representative explained, "ILLIT’s branding strategy and concept were finalized on July 21, 2023, but the so-called proposal in question was allegedly shared on August 28, 2023. Given the timeline, plagiarism is impossible."

Kim Tae-ho also apologized to fans and the public for the fatigue caused by this issue.

"As an entertainment company, our mission is to bring joy to the public, and we will ensure that such incidents do not happen again," he promised. He further expressed his commitment to fostering the healthy growth of the entertainment industry through this experience.

Industry experts have weighed in on the controversy with various perspectives.

One insider commented, "As the K-pop industry grows, similarities in artists' concepts and planning processes may arise. There may be a need for industry-wide guidelines to prevent such disputes."

Another expert noted, "It's concerning that this controversy has escalated into a conflict between companies rather than a simple plagiarism issue.

A clear legal verdict is necessary to resolve this matter."

Currently, HYBE and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin are engaged in legal proceedings over the issue.

Industry insiders predict that this case could spark broader discussions on protecting intellectual property rights and fostering fair competition in the K-pop industry.

As the court’s decision looms, the industry is closely watching how this controversy will unfold and its potential impact on K-pop.

Additionally, this case could lead to new institutional measures to safeguard creative works and promote fair competition in the industry.