"Hope for Recognition of Criminal Punishment and Compensation Corresponding to the Crime"
Former ADORE CEO Min Hee-jin has launched full-scale legal action against HYBE.
Sejong Law Firm and Marcol Consulting Group, representing former CEO Min Hee-jin, announced on the 22nd, "Former CEO Min Hee-jin filed a complaint with Yongsan Police Station against Billif Lab’s CEO Kim Tae-ho, Vice CEO Choi Yoon-hyuk, Heo Se-ryeon, and Lee Ga-jun on charges of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act."
Additionally, they filed a lawsuit seeking 5 billion KRW in damages from Billif Lab, the agency of the group Aileat.
Former CEO Min’s side stated, "CEO Kim claimed that former CEO Min delayed the civil lawsuit filed by Billif Lab, but this is a clear falsehood. It is expected that the counterclaim filed by former CEO Min will also be heard at the first hearing scheduled for January next year, so we hope Billif Lab will participate sincerely."
They added, "CEO Kim and others spread numerous falsehoods through a YouTube video dated June 10 and a statement dated October 7. We hope they receive criminal punishment commensurate with their crimes and are held liable for damages."
The 12th Civil Division of the Seoul Western District Court will hold the first hearing on January 10 next year for the damages lawsuit filed by Billif Lab against former CEO Min. The plaintiff’s claim amounts to 2 billion KRW. As expected by former CEO Min’s side, the hearing is also anticipated to cover the complaint filed against CEO Kim and others on that day.
After conflicts with HYBE arose in April, former CEO Min claimed that the main cause was Billif Lab producing the group Aileat, which plagiarized NewJeans. She cited similarities in Aileat’s debut concept, costumes, choreography, and visual aesthetics as evidence. Billif Lab denied these claims and filed a criminal complaint against former CEO Min for defamation, followed by a civil lawsuit.
Subsequently, during the legal battle between former CEO Min and HYBE, internal whistleblower reports from HYBE employees regarding Billif Lab’s copying of NewJeans’ planning documents were revealed, causing a major stir.
CEO Kim appeared at the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit on the 24th of last month and stated, "It is not true that Aileat plagiarized NewJeans. We have filed a civil lawsuit and a criminal complaint against former CEO Min who raised this issue, and we are currently awaiting the judiciary’s decision," signaling the ongoing litigation.
The following is the full statement from former CEO Min Hee-jin’s side (Sejong Law Firm)
Former CEO Min Hee-jin filed a complaint today (22nd) with Yongsan Police Station against Billif Lab’s CEO Kim Tae-ho, Vice CEO Choi Yoon-hyuk, Heo Se-ryeon, and Lee Ga-jun on charges of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act. Additionally, she has filed a lawsuit seeking 5 billion KRW in damages from Billif Lab.
CEO Kim Tae-ho falsely claimed that former CEO Min Hee-jin delayed the civil lawsuit filed by Billif Lab. This is a clear falsehood. It is expected that the counterclaim filed by former CEO Min Hee-jin will also be heard at the first hearing scheduled for January next year, so we hope Billif Lab will participate sincerely.
CEO Kim Tae-ho and others spread numerous falsehoods through a YouTube video dated June 10 and a statement dated October 7. We hope they receive criminal punishment commensurate with their crimes and are held liable for damages.
Thank you.
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