ILLIT Plagiarism? Min Heejin accuse ILLIT as the copycat of New Jeans
Translation of Min Heejin’s statement
Hello, I’m Ador Co., Ltd. (hereinafter ‘Ador’, CEO Min Hee-jin).
To protect our artist, New Jeans, and to promote the sound development of the music industry and culture in our country, Ador is open to the ‘New Jeans copy incident of ILLIT’.
HYBE operates a multi-label system where several labels independently create their own music and thereby pursue cultural diversity. Ador is one of its labels. However, the cultural achievements made by Ador and its artist, New Jeans, are ironically the most seriously violated by HYBE.
One of HYBE’s labels, BE:LIFT Lab, debuted the five-woman idol group ILLIT in March this year. After ILLIT’s teaser photos were released, “I thought it was New Jeans” exploded in online. ILLIT is copying New Jeans in every aspect of the group’s entertainment activities, including hair, makeup, costumes, choreography, photos, videos, and event appearances. ILLIT is rated as “Min Hee Jin Style,” “Min Hee Jin Related,” and “A Kind of New Jeans.”
It is shameful indeed. Bang Si-hyuk, the chairman of HYBE, produced the debut album of ILLIT. ILLIT’s copy of New Jeans was not done by the label BE:LIFT Lab alone, but by HYBE. As a leading K-pop company, HYBE is copying successful cultural contents without hesitation and producing clichés rather than showing newness.
ILLIT is a copycat, that did not get permission
New Jeans is currently preparing for their comeback in May. However, ILLIT summoned New Jeans, who was not active. The appearance of imitator consumed New Jeans’ image, and the group was dragged into unnecessary controversy, causing concern and fatigue to fans and the public. The main culprits behind this are HYBE and BE:LIFT Lab, but the damage is entirely on Ador and New Jeans.
Some say they can understand why ILLIT is similar to New Jeans because they are labels under HYBE. There are even reactions that Ador and New Jeans would have allowed or understood the similarities. However, these reactions are clearly misunderstandings, and we want to correct them. Multi-labels are a system that allows each label to independently perform the music they want, not a system that exonerates other labels from imitating the cultural achievements made by one label because it is an affiliated label.
And Ador has never allowed or understood anyone to copy New Jeans’ achievements, including the actual HYBE and BE:LIFT Lab. Ador doesn’t want New Jeans and ILLIT to be related in any way. I’m never going to tolerate publicity like who’s whose brother’s group is just because they debuted on a label under Hive.
Ador has already raised official issues with HYBE and BE:LIFT Lab, including the copy incident, as well as a series of actions HYBE has taken against New Jeans. However, HYBE and BE:LIFT Lab refused to admit their wrongdoing, were in a hurry to make excuses, and were dragging their feet by delaying specific answers. Meanwhile, HYBE suddenly announced today (April 22, 2024) that the agency would take steps to suspend and dismiss Min Hee-jin as CEO, and for that reason, “There is a concern that the corporate value of Ador will be significantly damaged by Min Herein.”
At the same time, HYBEn is attempting to play the media with ridiculous contents, such as, “Min Heejin tried to take over management control.” There seems to be some intention that is beyond common sense, such as how a legitimate protest to protect the cultural performance of his artist, New Jeans, can be a harm to Ador’s interests and how it can be an act of taking over his management control.
HiYBE, BE:LIFT Lab, and Bang Si-hyuk do not seem to apologize for the incident and seem to think it will be over if they just kick Min Hee-jin out of the company. However, Min Heejin has no intention of stepping down. She will leave no stone unturned to protect the cultural achievements that New Jeans has made and prevent further infringement by copying. She wants to make it clear that she cannot let others to copy Ador and New Jeans.
HYBE and BE:LIFT Lab are likely to try to dilute the situation at their debut, highlighting only differences from New Jeans as ILLIT’s activities increase. Over time, there is a possibility that fans and the public will have misunderstandings. As a result, Ador made an official announcement after sufficient discussions with New Jeans members and legal representatives.
I hope that this announcement will resolve the misunderstanding of fans and the public over the “ILLIT’s New Jeans copy scandal.” With this announcement, I hope that HYBE and BE:LIFT Lab will face up to its mistakes and contribute to the Korean music industry and culture through the creation of music that has been thoroughly considered and respected for the cultural achievements of others. Thank you.
So, this was full translation of Min Heejin’s statement on ILLIT plagiarism. ILLIT copying New Jeans, netizens might have talked about it, but it is first time for the official staff to talk about.
Previous to Min Heejin’s statement, HYBE’s side of story, CLICK HERE.
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