
South Korean police have referred former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin to prosecutors on charges of defamation and obstruction of business over her April 2024 remarks claiming Illit plagiarized NewJeans, following a complaint by Belift Lab and a court ruling in March 2025 that found it difficult to view Illit as plagiarizing NewJeans.
AI-generated summary
Min Hee-jin was removed from her position at ADOR in 2024 amid tensions with Hybe, the parent company of both ADOR and Belift Lab. NewJeans members had previously been involved in a dispute with ADOR following her removal.
SEOUL, Oct. 14 (Yonhap) -- Police have referred former ADOR chief executive Min Hee-jin to the prosecution for allegedly defaming the agency of K-pop girl group Illit, sources said Wednesday.
Min is accused of defamation over her remarks during a press conference in April 2024 that Illit plagiarized NewJeans, a girl group produced by her. Belift Lab, Illit's agency, filed a complaint against Min the following month.
The Seoul Yongsan Police Station sent the case to the prosecution on Oct. 1, recommending charges of defamation and obstruction of business against Min, according to the sources.
It accused Min of spreading false information to slander Belift Lab and its parent company, Hybe.
The move comes after a court said it was difficult to view Illit as plagiarizing NewJeans in March 2025 when it granted an injunction sought by ADOR to ban its members' independent activities.
NewJeans' members had previously been embroiled in a dispute with ADOR, after Min was removed from her post in 2024 amid tensions with the label's parent company, Hybe.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Prosecutors will decide whether to indict Min Hee-jin on defamation and obstruction of business charges
Likely · Within weeks
The court will evaluate whether Min Hee-jin's statements about Illit plagiarizing NewJeans constitute defamation under South Korean law
Very likely · Within months

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