Seoul:Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin has been referred to prosecution by police for allegedly defaming Belift Lab, the agency of K-pop girl group Illit. This development follows Min's remarks during an April 2024 press conference accusing Illit of plagiarizing NewJeans, a group she produced. In response, Belift Lab filed a complaint against her the following month.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul Yongsan Police Station forwarded the case to the prosecution on October 1, recommending charges of defamation and obstruction of business against Min. The police accused her of disseminating false information to damage the reputation of Belift Lab and its parent company, Hybe.
The referral comes after a court found it challenging to classify Illit's actions as plagiarism in March 2025 when it issued an injunction to prevent NewJeans' members from pursuing independent activities. This legal context adds complexity to the ongoing dispute involving Min, NewJeans, and ADOR, especially after Min's departure from her position in 2024 amid conflicts with Hybe.
Min's lawyer criticized the police's decision, arguing it contradicts previous investigative and judicial findings. The lawyer emphasized that the same police station had previously declined to refer a related case to prosecution, citing creative ethics as a management duty. This inconsistency, the lawyer stated, raises questions about the objectivity of the current recommendation.