Netizens React To Min Hee Jin’s Explosive Statement Regarding HYBE Fallout
This article is part of our coverage of HYBE vs. ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. You can read more and view the entire timeline here.
Netizens reacted to ADOR‘s statement.
On April 22, Min Hee Jin released a statement directly about ILLIT‘s alleged plagiarizing of NewJeans.
Min Hee Jin Releases Full Statement Regarding ADOR’s Feud With HYBE
In its statement, ADOR revealed that the issue between Min Hee Jin and HYBE stemmed from ILLIT’s alleged plagiarism of NewJeans. The rookie group has garnered comparisons to NewJeans’ aesthetic and sound since its inception.
This is ADOR Co, Ltd (hereinafter referred to as ADOR and CEO Min Hee Jin).
In order to protect the artist under management, NewJeans, as well as for the healthy development of Korea’s music and culture industry, we will be making our official statement regarding the issue of ‘ILLIT copying NewJeans.’
HYBE is running a multi-label system in order to let each label produce their own music independently, valuing cultural diversity. ADOR is one such label. But ironically, the cultural output that has been achieved by ADOR and its artist, NewJeans, has been most severely violated by HYBE.
One of the labels under HYBE, BeLift Lab, debuted ILLIT, a 5-member girl group, in March 2024. After ILLIT’s teaser photos were released, there was an explosive reaction online, with people who thought ‘it was NewJeans.’ ILLIT’s hair and makeup styles, outfits, choreographies, photos, videos, public events, etc. have been copying NewJeans. There have been reviews claiming that ILLIT is ‘Min Hee Jin’s style,’ ‘Min Hee Jin’s type,’ and even a ‘NewJeans subtype.’ This can’t be something that they’re not embarrassed about.
— ADOR
ADOR then alleged that the allegations surrounding a Min Hee Jin coup were misinformation spread by HYBE. ADOR revealed that when they had expressed their objections with ILLIT, rather than discuss the issue, HYBE tried to fire Min Hee Jin.
ADOR has expressed its objections to HYBE regarding BeLift Lab copying NewJeans, as well as successive issues regarding HYBE’s treatment of NewJeans. But HYBE did not acknowledge BeLift Lab’s mistake, was busy making excuses, and bought time while putting off giving us an answer.
Then today, on April 22, 2024, HYBE revealed that they are planning on taking steps to fire CEO Min Hee Jin, sparking concerns that HYBE is planning on destroying ADOR’s value. At the same time, HYBE is attempting to use the media to tarnish Min Hee Jin’s name with ridiculous allegations of her trying to steal from HYBE. How can protecting NewJeans’ cultural achievements equate to hurting ADOR’s values and mean that Min Hee Jin is trying to steal ADOR’s executive rights? It seems that there is another motive that is hard to understand.
HYBE and BeLift Lab have not apologized for this incident. Meanwhile, it seems they believe that they can put an end to the whole situation by kicking Min Hee Jin out of ADOR. ADOR will exhaust all legal options to protect NewJeans’ cultural achievements and to protect the group from further plagiarism.
There is a chance that HYBE and BeLift Lab will gather ‘evidence’ amplifying only the differences between ILLIT and NewJeans, rather than focusing on what happened at debut, in order to downplay this incident. As time passes, there is a chance that fans and the public’s misunderstanding will grow larger. Therefore, ADOR has opted to release this statement at this time, after discussing it with our lawyers and NewJeans. We hope that, through this, HYBE and BeLift Lab will acknowledge their mistakes, respect the cultural achievements of others, and (rather than plagiarize) add to Korea’s entertainment industry through hard work and creativity.
— ADOR
Netizens reacted to the revelations with many expressing concern that this incident would dissolve into something reminscent of FIFTY FIFTY’s scandal.
- “You can’t deny that ILLIT and NewJeans are similar. K-Pop fans across all online communities talked about how they were similar AF. But that doesn’t mean what she did is right.”
- “I don’t understand. Why is she digging her own grave? I feel bad for NewJeans, too.”
- “I think we are going to need to wait to see how this develops before passing judgement. I hope that NewJeans stays with HYBE, even if it is due to contractual obligations. The group has two minors and are rookies, so I don’t see how they agreed to the statement above.”
- “Is this FIFTY FIFTY Season 2?”
- “NewFTY NewFTY, how cool.”
- “What a pity. The group is imploding because of the CEO’s greed.”
- “I just feel bad for ILLIT.”
- “???”
What are your thoughts?
