News Hybe/MHJ Civil War Megathread (5 Viewers)

[Selfmate]

On June 10, BELIFT LAB released a video “disputing” the plagiarism accusations that have been made against them in the ongoing feud between HYBE Labels and ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. However, their attempts to disprove the allegations have all but backfired, as people have been left bewildered and critical over the “bizarre” video which has only seemed to further degrade the reputation of the label. Their “proof” against plagiarism ranges from confusing to downright upsetting, such as their “sexualization” of the NewJeans members in an attempt to prove that the audience for them is different than ILLIT.

The label was then criticized for seemingly deleting comments made on the video, which they in turn denied and threatened legal action against those who made the allegations. This, in turn, drew even more criticism from netizens, creating an ongoing back-and-forth that has only made opinions towards BELIFT worsen.

And it’s not just the comments that serve as proof for how poorly the video has been received by K-Pop fans. Thought the number of dislikes on YouTube videos has been hidden for some time, it’s easy to use outside sources to reveal them, and the like to dislike ratio for the BELIFT video is pretty telling.

As of now, a little over a day since the video came out, the likes have risen to almost 9.4k. However, the dislikes have not only increased in number, but also percentage — there are now over 106k dislikes, making up 92% of the votes.

K-Pop fans just can’t get over the mess that has been created from the decision to release this video, which seems to have reignited the HYBE and ADOR feud that was at least starting to die down a little.

Source: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/belif...ng-like-dislike-ratio-recent-debunking-video/

 

[Selfmate]

ILLIT agency's plagiarism rebuttal video backfires

A video posted by Belift Lab, the agency of girl group ILLIT, addressing plagiarism claims made by ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin was met with negative comments online as the sibling subsidiaries continue to fight over "copycat" accusations.

Belift Lab is waging war against Min for calling the girl group a "NewJeans copycat," with an additional lawsuit and a video comparing ILLIT's choreography with other girl groups to prove its innocence.

The HYBE label uploaded a 28-minute video on its YouTube channel Monday in which Belift Lab's CEO Kim Tae-ho and other staff from the label refuted the plagiarism claims made by Min during her April 25 press conference when she publicly called out ILLIT for copying NewJeans.

ILLIT has been a central point in the ongoing spat between Min and HYBE, with Min saying Belift Lab's plagiarism was the reason she made an internal report to HYBE.

The video featured girl groups including S.E.S, Fin.K.L. and Girls' Generation to explain the similarities and differences between them and NewJeans, pointing out that the resemblance in female K-pop acts is only customary.

"I think of NewJeans as a team that appeals more to a generation nostalgic for the late 90s and Y2K, rather than a team that tells the stories of modern teenagers,” said Kim in the video. “Conversely, ILLIT was planned with the concept of being endearing puppy-like friends you might sometimes see in class."

The video went on to refute ILLIT's plagiarism allegations regarding NewJeans' straight hair by highlighting other girl groups that used the same hairstyle, such as GFriend and Lovelyz.

"I am really at a loss as to how to respond to the claim [by Min] that 'straight hair belongs to me,'" said Kim. "Everything she creates is always 'original,' and even if something similar existed before her work, she insists it’s not copied. Everything that comes out after her work is considered a copy of hers. This is always the premise of Min Hee-jin's plagiarism claims."

"This is the 'Brand Strategy Planning Document' from Sept. 1, when the debut members [of ILLIT] were decided and we began planning the group's branding," said vice CEO Choi Yoon-hyuk while holding the document. The document contained phrases like 'Where can we find our unique positioning?' and 'Not NewJeans, Not Blackpink, Not IVE.'

Belift Lab also refuted the similarity between the dance moves of ILLIT's "Magnetic" and NewJeans' "Ditto" (2022), which had been pointed out by multiple K-pop onlookers, explaining that the similarities are marginal.

"Looking at the flow of the dance, it does not feel the same at all," said Belift Lab's performance director Myung Sang-woo. "The similar section does not even last for two seconds, and I do not think this part constitutes plagiarism."

The video also argued that NewJeans had been accused of plagiarizing the concepts of other artists as well, showing a comparison between the choreography of Nmixx's "Love Me Like This" (2023) and NewJeans' "Ditto" (2022).

NewJeans' "Ditto" was released about four months earlier than Nmixx's "Love Me Like This."

Comments were mostly negative toward the content of the video.

One user asked if the video was "Min Hee-jin's portfolio promotion video," while another pointed out that the video was "confirmed by Bang Si-hyuk [HYBE founder and chairman]," and possibly biased. Other users commented their frustration that the video mentioned different K-pop groups, saying "How dare they put GFriend's name in their mouth."

The video came in addition to a civil lawsuit that Belift Lab filed on Monday against Min.

The civil lawsuit demands Min to compensate for the damage she inflicted on ILLIT and its agency by calling the girl group a "NewJeans copycat," according to a notice that Belift Lab posted on Monday on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The post said that Min's offense against ILLIT and its agency was a different matter from the court's decision that sided with Min.

"The decision by the Seoul Central District Court to grant the injunction was about preventing HYBE from exercising voting rights at ADOR's temporary shareholder meeting, and was not a ruling on the plagiarism issue," said Belift Lab. "It should not be distorted to seem as if Min beat the charges of accusing Belift Lab with plagiarism allegations."

ADOR's shareholders voted to keep Min as the CEO of the company at a shareholder meeting held on May 31 after the court took her side in the injunction case against HYBE earlier that week.

Both HYBE and Belift Lab reported Min to the police for obstruction of business, breach of trust and defamation on May 22.

Source: https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.co...s-plagiarism-rebuttal-video-backfires/2065846

 

[Selfmate]

Belift Lab continues legal battle with ADOR and CEO Min Hee Jin over plagiarism claims against ILLIT

On the afternoon of the 10th, Belift Lab posted a lengthy statement and video on their official SNS, addressing the plagiarism claims against ILLIT made by Min Hee Jin, CEO of NewJeans' agency ADOR.

Belift Lab stated, "Min Hee Jin sacrificed an innocent rookie group for her personal gain," and added, "We will hold CEO Min Hee Jin accountable by filing an additional civil lawsuit today for the damages caused to the artists, Belift Lab members, and participating creators."

Belift Lab clarified that the Seoul Central District Court's Civil Division 50's decision on the 30th of last month to grant an injunction was not a ruling on the plagiarism issue. The decision was related to the injunction request to prevent HYBE from exercising its voting rights at ADOR's temporary shareholders' meeting.

They emphasized, "It is wrong to distort this as a victory for Min Hee Jin on the plagiarism issue. Separate from the injunction, the criminal case for obstruction of business and defamation against Min Hee Jin will proceed.

Belift Lab also explained why they had not previously detailed their stance despite Min Hee Jin's claims being misleadingly accepted as facts: "We had a slight hope that Min Hee-jin would correct this issue herself. However, she continues to make unilateral claims, misleading the public to believe that the injunction's acceptance validated all her claims."

Furthermore, Belift Lab released an interview video with CEO Kim Tae-ho, Deputy CEO Choi Yoon-hyuk, and ILLIT's performance director Myung Sang-woo, directly refuting the similarities between ILY:1 and NewJeans.

They criticized Min Hee Jin, stating, "In her second press conference, Min Hee Jin superficially showed gestures of reconciliation. Still, she has not offered a single word of apology or reflection to the innocent victims, including the artists suffering from severe malicious comments due to her actions. Instead, she shifted the blame to others, such as the media. This is highly regrettable."

Source: https://www.allkpop.com/article/202...-hee-jin-over-plagiarism-claims-against-illit

 

[velvet]

The video went on to refute ILLIT's plagiarism allegations regarding NewJeans' straight hair by highlighting other girl groups that used the same hairstyle, such as GFriend and Lovelyz.

Straight hair?

Also I love this thread, I'm gonna have to do a huge backread soon

 

[Selfmate]

Straight hair?

Also I love this thread, I'm gonna have to do a huge backread soon

me too it's one hell of a shit show that's for sure

 

[Selfmate]

A minor win for hybe????

Ariana Grande to Continue Business With HYBE and Scooter Braun Under Her New Manager Brandon Creed

The star will join HYBE's Weverse fan platform.

Ariana Grande and HYBE, led by CEO Scooter Braun, look forward to continuing their long-standing business partnership and pursuing creative opportunities in Weverse and REM Beauty, according to representatives for the superstar and global company.

Grande in this new chapter will continue to be managed exclusively by Brandon Creed and his Good World Management, to which she signed last December. Good World’s roster also includes Charli XCX, Troye Sivan, Demi Lovato, Normani, Orville Peck and others.

“[Ariana] likes that [Brandon] understands her on a different level and between acting and music, she has a lot coming up and is excited to have found a new support system to help her execute her plans,” a source close to the situation told Billboard at the time.

Grande has had nine charting albums on the Billboard 200, with six topping the list, including her latest release and seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine. The album spawned two Hot 100 No. 1s with the dancey and confident lead single “Yes, And?” and its aching follow-up “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love).” In all, Grande has charted 85 songs on the tally, including 22 top 10 hits and nine chart-toppers.

Grande recently released the Penn Badgley-starring music video for current single “The Boy Is Mine,” which also features cameos from Brandy and Monica, as Grande’s hit interpolates their 1998 song of the same name. Ahead, Grande is starring as Glinda in the anticipated Wicked film, for which part one will hit theaters this November.

Source: https://www.billboard.com/pro/ariana-grande-hybe-business-continues/

 

[Selfmate]

Police "Hybe's investigation is complete... Min Hee-jin is summoned for questioning this week"

The police investigating the incident in which Hybe, Korea's largest music agency, accused Min Heejin, CEO of its subsidiary Ador, of breach of trust, will summon Min's representative for questioning this week.

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Jo Jiho said at a regular press conference today (17th), "We have completed the investigation into the accuser, but the accuser submitted additional materials last week. The analysis has been completed to some extent, and we will summon the accuser for questioning starting this week." “It is planned,” he said.

Commissioner Cho added, “Of the three people accused, Representative Min has not been scheduled to be summoned this week, and it seems that one of the two people could appear this week.”

When asked about the possibility of a search and seizure, Commissioner Cho replied, "If a voluntary investigation fails to resolve the issue, a compulsory investigation will be conducted. However, since the matter is currently cooperative, the investigation is at a stage where sufficient data submission and attendance statements are possible."

Earlier on April 26, Hybe filed a complaint against CEO Min with the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul on charges of professional breach of trust.

Hybe claims that CEO Min has established a plan to take over management rights of Ador, which is suspected of professional breach of trust against the Adore company, and has secured specific statements and physical evidence to support it.

However, CEO Min's position is that it is impossible to usurp management rights due to the equity structure, and she has not committed any breach of trust by attempting or launching actions that undermine the company's value.

Representative Min has maintained her position as a provisional injunction filed by the court on the 30th of last month to block Hybe from exercising voting rights at the extraordinary shareholders' meeting.

Source: https://n.news.naver.com/article/055/0001164041?sid=102

 

[Selfmate]

Source Music Files Lawsuit Against ADOR’s Min Hee Jin For Damages Caused To LSFM

It was reported on July 15, 2024, that Source Music has launched a lawsuit against ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. The lawsuit seeks compensation for damages.

According to the legal industry, they have filed a lawsuit against Min Hee Jin for slander and disrupting work, seeking around ₩500 million KRW (about $364,000 USD) in financial compensation for damages caused. The amount is said to be a rough estimate, and will likely increase after further calculations.

It was reported that in the lawsuit, Source Music reported three main issues with Min Hee Jin. First, Min’s claims that she personally casted the NewJeans members. Secondly, the claim that HYBE promised her that she would be able to debut HYBE’s first girl group. Lastly, claims that Source Music neglected the NewJeans members. The lawsuit further claims that LE SSERAFIM had become the target of malicious comments due to Min’s claims that their debut had resulted in NewJeans being neglected by the company. Furthering that, it was reported that Source Music had gathered evidence against Min’s claims and submitted them along with the lawsuit.

Amongst the submitted evidence includes evidence that NewJeans’ debut was delayed due to Min Hee Jin’s preparations for the company’s brand, as well as how she had already acknowledged that LE SSERAFIM would be debuting first, and more.

Previously, Min Hee Jin made the claims during her explosive press conferences. You can read more about them below.

Source: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/source-music-sues-min-hee-jin-financial-compensation/

 

[catonkatonk]

We need a summary of the current situation.

As far as I know,
Belift is suing for defamation
Source is now doing the same
HYBE has launched some kind of criminal complaint against her that involves a police investigation, although I'm seriously unclear on what the charge there even is lollol

MHJ taking fire from all sides.

 

[Selfmate]

We need a summary of the current situation.

As far as I know,
Belift is suing for defamation
Source is now doing the same
HYBE has launched some kind of criminal complaint against her that involves a police investigation, although I'm seriously unclear on what the charge there even is lollol

MHJ taking fire from all sides.

your memory serves you well my friend
there was about a month of relative calm before the storm and we re back lol

 

[catonkatonk]

Hopefully we get some action in upcoming episodes. It's been a bit dry lately.

 

[lily]

Hopefully we get some action in upcoming episodes. It's been a bit dry lately.

this is news from today



le sserafim has been getting unnecessary hate so I'm glad source is doing something about it

 

[RandAlThor]

Source Music Files Lawsuit Against ADOR’s Min Hee Jin For Damages Caused To LSFM

It was reported on July 15, 2024, that Source Music has launched a lawsuit against ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. The lawsuit seeks compensation for damages.

According to the legal industry, they have filed a lawsuit against Min Hee Jin for slander and disrupting work, seeking around ₩500 million KRW (about $364,000 USD) in financial compensation for damages caused. The amount is said to be a rough estimate, and will likely increase after further calculations.

It was reported that in the lawsuit, Source Music reported three main issues with Min Hee Jin. First, Min’s claims that she personally casted the NewJeans members. Secondly, the claim that HYBE promised her that she would be able to debut HYBE’s first girl group. Lastly, claims that Source Music neglected the NewJeans members. The lawsuit further claims that LE SSERAFIM had become the target of malicious comments due to Min’s claims that their debut had resulted in NewJeans being neglected by the company. Furthering that, it was reported that Source Music had gathered evidence against Min’s claims and submitted them along with the lawsuit.

Amongst the submitted evidence includes evidence that NewJeans’ debut was delayed due to Min Hee Jin’s preparations for the company’s brand, as well as how she had already acknowledged that LE SSERAFIM would be debuting first, and more.

Previously, Min Hee Jin made the claims during her explosive press conferences. You can read more about them below.

Source: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/source-music-sues-min-hee-jin-financial-compensation/

hahah there are going to get her .

you cannt piss off you boss and stay employed ... they will get you

 

[RandAlThor]

And mhj was talking way way to much smack about co label's and other groups.

500k is nothing i would sue for the gross profit from NJ since creation. were i source.

 

[Selfmate]

And mhj was talking way way to much smack about co label's and other groups.

500k is nothing i would sue for the gross profit from NJ since creation. were i source.

gross profit? woah that sounds a bit extreme

 

[Selfmate]

le sserafim has been getting unnecessary hate so I'm glad source is doing something about it

the real question is though did they get hate primarily? substantially? majoritively? (is that a word? lol) from MHJ's actions or did the hate stem from Coachella

 

[lily]

the real question is though did they get hate primarily? substantially? majoritively? (is that a word? lol) from MHJ's actions or did the hate stem from Coachella

they got some hate esp. on Korea side because MHJ was ranting that LSF debuted before Newjeans. And Newjeans were painted as Hybe's stepdaughters and LSF were seen more as privileged group.

Illit got more hate than LSF though because of copycat accusations.

 

[RandAlThor]

gross profit? woah that sounds a bit extreme

Always start high and negotiate down :)

 

[RandAlThor]

the real question is though did they get hate primarily? substantially? majoritively? (is that a word? lol) from MHJ's actions or did the hate stem from Coachella

This was so long after the chocella and encore deal that it should be pretty easy to differentiate between them .

 

[babyv004]

I am not on anyone's side but i think Source are making a fool of themselves.
They rather spend money on a ridiculous lawsuit that they most likely will loose than on vocal training the girls 🤦‍♀️
That is only making people hating more on LSF. The way to shut up the haters is if in their next comeback it will be visible some vocal improvements but i guess source dont care as long as they can play HYBE dumb zombie stans