Min Hee-jin, the former ADOR CEO behind NewJeans, has been referred to the prosecution on obstruction of business and defamation charges over her claim that HYBE’s girl group ILLIT copied NewJeans’ concept.
According to Sports Chosun, Seoul’s Yongsan Police Station transferred the case on October 1, first reported by Yonhap on October 13. Two former ADOR vice CEOs were sent over the same day.
Police concluded Min spread claims that ILLIT copied NewJeans when no copying had occurred, aiming to disparage HYBE and Belift Lab. The feud dates back to April 2024, when Min held an emergency press conference alleging ILLIT had copied NewJeans’ audition posters, hanbok photoshoot concept, debut approach, and choreography. Belift Lab, ILLIT’s agency, then filed a criminal complaint.
Belift Lab said at the time that unfounded speculation and false claims were “devaluing the efforts and achievements of our artists and members.” Min’s side pushed back in an October 14 statement, calling the decision “merely a provisional judgment by an investigative agency, not an indictment by a prosecutor or recognition by a court.”
Courts have already declined to recognize the copying claim. Judges ruled last March that it was unclear whether NewJeans’ concept was even protected intellectual property, and last October that similarities between the two groups were insufficient to prove copying.
The referral means police found probable cause; Min’s guilt has not been established. Attention now turns to whether prosecutors indict.
