Min Hee Jin speaking at a public appearance regarding K-pop creative management and ongoing legal disputes.
K-Pop & Asia

Min Hee Jin Scores Massive Court Win in Defamation Lawsuit Brought by ILLIT Creative Director

The former ADOR CEO prevails in court after Belift Lab's Serian Heu sued her over fiery plagiarism claims.

By Nina BrooksPublished Updated 2 min read

The high-stakes legal feud sending shockwaves through the K-pop world has reached a massive milestone. Min Hee Jin, the former CEO of ADOR and the creative visionary behind global phenomenon NewJeans, has officially won a major defamation lawsuit brought against her by Serian Heu, the creative director of rookie girl group ILLIT. The courtroom battle originated after Min made explosive public statements regarding the creative choices behind ILLIT. She openly claimed that the creative leadership team behind ILLIT had plagiarized the distinct aesthetic, concept, fashion choices, and artistic direction that originally skyrocketed NewJeans to international stardom. Pushed by those public allegations, Heu filed a comprehensive lawsuit accusing Min of spreading false information and deliberately slandering her professional character. Heu and her legal team argued that the accusations severely damaged her reputation in the music business and insisted that ILLIT's creative identity was developed completely independently.

Min hee jin lawsuit results against illit director

Min Hee Jin and Serian Heu in the story: Min Hee Jin Scores Massive Court Win in Defamation Lawsuit Brought by ILLIT Creative Director
Min Hee Jin and Serian Heu in the story: Min Hee Jin Scores Massive Court Win in Defamation Lawsuit Brought by ILLIT Creative Director

The court has now officially ruled in favor of Min, completely dismissing the defamation and false claim charges lodged against her. According to reports detailing the decision, the court found insufficient legal grounds to rule that Min's commentary on the similarities between the two girl groups constituted unlawful defamation or malicious falsehoods. The favorable verdict delivers a monumental victory for Min, who has spent months navigating intense public scrutiny and corporate hostility. Ever since her public fallout with parent company HYBE, the former ADOR executive has been involved in a series of legal battles regarding management control, creative rights, and corporate governance.

Min Hee Jin and Serian Heu in the story: Min Hee Jin Scores Massive Court Win in Defamation Lawsuit Brought by ILLIT Creative Director
Min Hee Jin and Serian Heu in the story: Min Hee Jin Scores Massive Court Win in Defamation Lawsuit Brought by ILLIT Creative Director

Did illit copy newjeans creative concept

The underlying debate over whether ILLIT copied NewJeans has split the music community down the middle. While critics and supporters of both groups continue to compare music videos, styling, and choreography, Min's initial comments highlighted longstanding tensions over creative ownership within multi-label agency structures like HYBE. While Min can celebrate clearing her name in this specific defamation suit, the overarching legal battle across the entertainment company ecosystem is far from finished. Several additional lawsuits, administrative proceedings, and contract disputes involving HYBE, ADOR, and key creative staff members remain active and pending in the legal system.

The photos · 3

Min Hee Jin speaking at a public appearance regarding K-pop creative management and ongoing legal disputes.
Min Hee Jin and Serian Heu in the story: Min Hee Jin Scores Massive Court Win in Defamation Lawsuit Brought by ILLIT Creative Director
Min Hee Jin and Serian Heu in the story: Min Hee Jin Scores Massive Court Win in Defamation Lawsuit Brought by ILLIT Creative Director

The backstory

Verified moments, in order.

Min Hee Jin and the ILLIT Dispute: How the Legal Fight Takes Shape

Plagiarism allegations put Min Hee Jin at odds with ILLIT’s agency. Legal action follows as her relationship with HYBE—and her role at ADOR—breaks down.

  1. 2024-04-22Flashpoint

    The plagiarism accusation goes public

    Min Hee Jin — The plagiarism accusation goes public

    As HYBE launches an audit of ADOR’s management, Min publicly accuses ILLIT of copying NewJeans. She says she previously raised her concerns internally. The copying allegation is her claim, not an established finding.

  2. 2024-04-25Flashpoint

    Min takes the dispute to a press conference

    Min Hee Jin — Min takes the dispute to a press conference

    At a press conference in Seoul, Min rejects allegations that she is plotting to take control of ADOR. She also expands on her objections to similarities between ILLIT and NewJeans, putting the plagiarism dispute at the centre of her confrontation with HYBE.

  3. 2024-05-22Flashpoint

    BELIFT LAB files a criminal complaint

    Min Hee Jin — BELIFT LAB files a criminal complaint

    ILLIT’s agency, BELIFT LAB, announces a criminal complaint against Min for defamation and obstruction of business over her plagiarism allegations. The agency denies that ILLIT copies NewJeans.

  4. 2024-06-10Flashpoint

    The agency adds a civil suit

    Min Hee Jin — The agency adds a civil suit

    BELIFT LAB announces a civil damages lawsuit against Min, alongside its earlier criminal complaint. It also releases a video disputing her plagiarism allegations. These are actions announced by the agency, distinct from any claim brought by an individual creative director.

  5. 2024-08-27Flashpoint

    Min loses the ADOR chief executive role

    Min Hee Jin — Min loses the ADOR chief executive role

    ADOR announces that Kim Ju-young replaces Min as chief executive, while Min remains an internal director. Min disputes the move, saying the decision is made against her wishes.

  6. 2024-11-20

    Min announces her departure from ADOR

    Min Hee Jin — Min announces her departure from ADOR

    Min announces her resignation as an ADOR internal director and her departure from the company. The announcement ends her remaining board role; it does not resolve the legal disputes arising from her plagiarism allegations.

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People also ask

Why did Serian Heu sue Min Hee Jin?
Serian Heu sued former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin for defamation after Min alleged that ILLIT plagiarized the creative concept, aesthetic, and styling of girl group NewJeans.
Who won the lawsuit between Min Hee Jin and Serian Heu?
The court ruled in favor of Min Hee Jin, dismissing the defamation and false claims lawsuit brought against her by Heu.