Min Hee-jin Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Belift Lab, Seeks 5 Billion Won in Damages

Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR who recently left HYBE, has initiated a legal counterattack against the company. On the 22nd, her legal representatives from the law firm Sejong and the Macol Consulting Group announced that Min Hee-jin has filed a defamation complaint against Kim Tae-ho, the CEO of Belift Lab, along with Vice President Choi Yoon-hyuk, Heo Se-ryeon, and Lee Ga-jun at the Yongsan Police Station under the Information and Communications Network Act.

Additionally, she is pursuing a civil lawsuit against Belift Lab, the agency of the group ILY:1, seeking 5 billion won in damages.

Min's legal team stated, "CEO Kim Tae-ho has made false claims in the media that Min Hee-jin delayed the civil lawsuit filed by Belift Lab, which is a clear falsehood." They further expressed hope that the first hearing for the counterclaim filed by Min Hee-jin will take place during the initial court session scheduled for January next year, urging Belift Lab to engage sincerely in the proceedings.

The legal representatives added, "Kim Tae-ho and others have disseminated numerous falsehoods through a YouTube video dated June 10 and a statement released on October 7. We hope they face appropriate criminal penalties and are held liable for damages."

The 12th Civil Division of the Seoul Western District Court will hold the first hearing for the damages lawsuit filed by Belift Lab against Min Hee-jin on January 10 next year, with the initial claim amounting to 2 billion won. It is anticipated that the court will also address the complaints filed by Min Hee-jin against Kim Tae-ho and others during this session.

Previously, Min Hee-jin accused Belift Lab of plagiarizing the production formula of NewJeans while producing ILY:1. Belift Lab has denied these allegations and subsequently filed a criminal defamation lawsuit against Min Hee-jin, along with a civil suit.