In an interview with Korea Economic Daily, Min Hee Jin, CEO of Ador, has accused Hybe's audit initiation as a move to take over Ador's management rights, stating, "The claims of us trying to take over management are false."
She contends that the conflict arose from 'subsidiary plagiarism controversies,' specifically accusing Hybe's label's new girl group ILLIT of copying NewJeans.
On April 22, Min accused Believe Lab, a Hybe label, of plagiarism, alleging that Hybe ignored the supposed copying of NewJeans by Believe Lab and instead initiated an audit.
Believe Lab launched girl group ILLIT last month after their participation in a JTBC audition program, with the group’s debut album produced by Hybe’s chairman, Bang Si Hyuk.
ILLIT has been in the spotlight since their debut due to their style, choreography, and music videos, closely resembling that of NewJeans.
Min Hee Jin stated, "Ironically, the cultural achievements of NewJeans are being infringed upon by Hybe." She highlighted that the mimicry of NewJeans by ILLIT involves Hybe’s participation, accusing Hybe of copying successful cultural content for short-term profits. "Ador has never allowed or condoned anyone to copy NewJeans’ achievements," she added.
Ador's management, including Min, has repeatedly demanded Hybe and Believe Lab to address the situation, but to no avail. Last week, they formally requested Hybe to acknowledge the plagiarism issues, damaging the brand value of NewJeans.
Min Hee Jin also revealed that Hybe notified her of their decision to suspend and dismiss her from her CEO position today, under the pretext that her protests could harm Ador’s interests. "It is incomprehensible how protecting our artist’s achievements could possibly be detrimental to Ador," she lamented.
Ador’s official statement on the ‘ILLIT NewJeans Copy Controversy’ reads:
Hello,
This is Ador Inc. (CEO Min Hee Jin).
Ador publicly states our position on the 'ILLIT NewJeans Copy Controversy' to protect our artist NewJeans and for the healthy development of our country’s music and cultural industry.
Despite operating under a multi-label system, Ador and its artist NewJeans have faced severe infringements by Hybe. After the debut of girl group ILLIT by Believe Lab, a Hybe label, their activities have led to confusion with NewJeans.
This situation has been exacerbated by Bang Si Hyuk, who oversaw ILLIT’s debut album. The similarities between ILLIT and NewJeans are not incidental but calculated by Believe Lab and Hybe, disregarding the cultural achievements of others.
We at Ador have not authorized any copying of NewJeans’ success by anyone, nor do we wish for any association between NewJeans and ILLIT.
Ador has raised these issues with Hybe and Believe Lab, but they have neither acknowledged their mistakes nor provided concrete responses.
In light of these issues, Ador will use all possible means to prevent further infringements and protect the cultural achievements of NewJeans.
We hope that by making our position clear, Hybe and Believe Lab will recognize their mistakes and contribute positively to our country’s music and cultural industry.
Thank you.
