[Nate] MIN HEEJIN WON... FINAL VICTORY IN DAMAGES LAWSUIT OVER 'ILLIT COPYING NEWJEANS' ALLEGATIONS

Min Heejin, former CEO of ADOR, has won a damages lawsuit filed against her by a creative director named Heo from BELIFT LAB, a HYBE subsidiary.

On the 18th, The Hankyoreh reported that Judge Park Geun-gyu of the Seoul Western District Court (Civil Division 22) dismissed all claims for damages filed by Heo against former CEO Min and former ADOR Vice President Shin on the 21st of last month. Min’s victory was finalized after Heo decided not to appeal the ruling; consequently, Heo is liable for the litigation costs.

Previously, in April 2024, Min Heejin held a press conference alleging that the group ILLIT had copied NewJeans. During the conference, she claimed that ILLIT had imitated various aspects of NewJeans, including hair, makeup, costumes, choreography, photography, and video content. In response, Heo filed a lawsuit seeking damages, arguing that Min’s false claims had defamed him. He also sought joint liability for damages from Shin, alleging collusion with Min.

The court ruled that the evidence submitted by Heo was insufficient to establish that former Vice President Shin had participated in Min Heejin's actions. It further explained that, given the absence of Heo's name and title in the press conference and official statements, it was difficult to identify her as a victim of defamation.

Additionally, the court determined that while Min Heejin had criticized various aspects of ILLIT's entertainment activities, such as hair, makeup, costumes, choreography, photography, and videography, she had not specifically pointed out the "visual aspects" managed by Heo as having imitated NewJeans.

Consequently, the court dismissed the claim for damages against Min Heejin, concluding that Heo could not be identified as a victim of the alleged unlawful act.

This is the best // It's warm // Ridiculous // I'm upset // I'm mad

source: here

1. [+212, -21]

Just how long does BELIFT LAB intend to keep pursuing this plagiarism lawsuit? Does it make any sense for a visual director to spend years litigating a plagiarism case involving the group they are in charge of? Does she plan to let ILLIT carry the "copycat group" label forever? By relentlessly filing a lawsuit that is difficult to win, is she trying to show she doesn't care if ILLIT is ruined, as long as they can torment Min Heejin?

2. [+195, -20]

Bang Sihyuk: Yah, don't worry, I'll give you the money; just keep suing! Do you have any idea what my pride is worth???????

3. [+196, -22]

From the very beginning of this saga, a relentless barrage of negative reports about Min Heejin poured out, while coverage favorable to her was woefully scarce, and even when such stories did appear, they were quickly taken down. Public opinion briefly shifted in her favor after she held her own press conference, but she soon lost the upper hand again in the face of an overwhelming onslaught of media coverage; the disparity between the two sides was truly excessive

4. [+42, -9]

Min Heejin won ㅋㅋㅋ

5. [+38, -4]

He might have wanted to salvage his pride by pursuing a lawsuit he couldn't win, but every time he loses a case like that, it’s Bang Sihyuk who takes a hit to his standing in the industry. To think of an owner who undermines the company's value... Do you think major corporations avoid lawsuits because they lack the funds? They prioritize corporate value over money, which is why they are extremely cautious regarding copyright and plagiarism issues, even if it means taking a loss themselves.

New post

✉ PC Stories