HYBE Sparks Outrage with BTS, Jennie, aespa References in Lawsuit Hearing

HYBE Accused of Weak Plagiarism Claims Amidst Ongoing Legal Battles with Min Hee Jin

Seoul, South korea – July 19, 2025 – The escalating legal dispute between HYBE corporation and ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin has intensified, with new criticism emerging regarding the strength of HYBE’s plagiarism accusations.Online discourse suggests that HYBE’s evidence, presented to support claims of copyright infringement against ADOR’s girl group ILLIT, is being widely dismissed as weak and lacking a clear connection to the accused works.

Commenters online have expressed skepticism over HYBE’s examples, citing specific instances where alleged similarities are perceived as superficial or common in the K-pop industry. A prevailing sentiment is that simply pointing to common dance moves,such as head-turning choreography,does not inherently constitute plagiarism. Critics argue that HYBE’s approach risks oversimplifying the concept of intellectual property theft by casting a wide net that includes elements present across numerous artists and performances. This broad application, they contend, is likely to invite public backlash and undermine the legitimacy of their claims.

This public scrutiny comes as HYBE subsidiaries continue to pursue legal action against Min Hee Jin. Source Music, the agency behind the popular girl group LE SSERAFIM, has filed a defamation lawsuit seeking ₩500 million KRW (approximately $359,000 USD).Concurrently, BELIFT LAB, the home of ILLIT, has initiated a lawsuit for ₩2.00 billion KRW (approximately $1.44 million USD), alleging that Min Hee Jin’s accusations have significantly damaged ILLIT’s reputation.

The ongoing legal entanglements highlight the complex relationship between creative inspiration and intellectual property rights within the rapidly evolving K-pop industry. As these cases progress, they could set significant precedents for how originality and potential infringement are perceived and litigated in the future. The industry will be closely watching to see how these disputes are resolved and what implications they may have for artists, agencies, and the broader creative landscape.

Evergreen Insight: The core of this dispute touches upon a basic challenge in creative industries: distinguishing between genuine plagiarism and the natural evolution of artistic trends and influences. As the K-pop industry continues to grow and innovate, defining these boundaries becomes increasingly crucial. The reliance on superficial similarities as evidence of infringement, as seen in critiques of HYBE’s claims, underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of creative borrowing versus outright theft, a perennial issue that transcends specific companies or artists and remains a critical consideration for all creators.

What potential legal or ethical concerns arise from HYBE using BTS, Jennie, and aespa as benchmarks in evaluating ADOR’s new girl group, ILLIT?

The Core of the Controversy: ADOR vs. HYBE

The ongoing legal battle between HYBE corporation and its subsidiary,ADOR (All Doors One Room),headed by Min Hee-jin,took a startling turn this week. During a recent hearing, revelations surfaced regarding the alleged use of BTS, BLACKPINK’s Jennie, and aespa as comparative points within ADOR’s internal strategic planning. This has ignited a firestorm of criticism from fans and industry observers alike, raising questions about competitive strategy and artist respect within the K-pop landscape. The lawsuit, initially centered around allegations of a management power struggle and attempted opposed takeover, has now broadened to encompass concerns about potentially damaging comparisons.

What references Were Made & Why They Matter

According to reports from Korean media outlets like Soompi and The Korea Herald,ADOR presented data during the hearing that benchmarked their upcoming girl group,ILLIT,against existing successful acts. The contentious part? The inclusion of BTS, Jennie (BLACKPINK), and aespa as reference points – not in terms of artistic inspiration, but in evaluating potential market share and fan engagement.

Here’s a breakdown of the key issues:

BTS as a Benchmark: Using BTS, arguably the biggest boy group globally, as a direct comparison for a new girl group launch was perceived as unrealistic and dismissive of the unique challenges faced by female artists in the industry.Fans argue it sets an unattainable standard and undervalues the distinct appeal of girl groups.

jennie’s Individual Brand Power: Referencing Jennie, a highly successful soloist and member of BLACKPINK, raised eyebrows. Critics suggest it implied ADOR was attempting to replicate Jennie’s individual brand power rather than fostering a unique identity for ILLIT. The focus shifted to individual member potential rather than group synergy.

aespa’s Concept & Growth: The inclusion of aespa, known for their innovative metaverse concept and rapid growth, sparked debate about whether ADOR was attempting to emulate their strategy without acknowledging the significant investment and creative vision behind aespa’s success.

These references weren’t presented as admiration, but as data points in a competitive analysis, which many found deeply disrespectful. The core issue isn’t that comparisons were made, but how they were framed and utilized within the legal context.

Fan Reactions & Social Media Backlash

The news quickly spread across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and instagram, fueling a massive backlash against HYBE and ADOR. Hashtags like #HYBEApology, #RespectBTS, #JennieDeservesBetter, and #ProtectAespa trended globally.

BTS ARMY’s Response: The BTS ARMY, known for its fierce loyalty and organized activism, expressed outrage, accusing HYBE of exploiting BTS’s success for commercial gain and diminishing their artistic value.

BLINKs’ Concerns: BLACKPINK fans (BLINKs) voiced concerns about Jennie being reduced to a data point and the potential for her individual brand to be undermined.

MYs’ (aespa fans) Disappointment: aespa fans expressed disappointment that their group’s unique concept and hard work were being viewed solely through a competitive lens.

The intensity of the reaction highlights the strong emotional connection fans have with their favorite artists and the sensitivity surrounding comparisons within the highly competitive K-pop industry.

Legal Implications & Potential Outcomes

The inclusion of these references could have significant legal ramifications. Min Hee-jin’s legal team is reportedly arguing that HYBE is attempting to discredit her and ADOR by portraying her strategic planning as disrespectful and unrealistic. They contend that the references were simply part of a standard competitive analysis and were misinterpreted by HYBE.

Potential outcomes of the lawsuit include:

1. ADOR’s Independence: Min Hee-jin’s primary goal is to maintain ADOR’s independence from HYBE’s control.
2. HYBE’s Control: HYBE aims to regain control over ADOR and its future direction.
3. Settlement: A potential settlement could involve a restructuring of ADOR’s leadership or a compromise on strategic decision-making.

The court’s decision will likely set a precedent for future disputes between parent companies and subsidiaries within the K-pop industry.

The Broader Context: K-Pop Competition & Artist Valuation

this incident underscores the intense competition within the K-pop industry and the challenges of valuing artists beyond mere market share. The pressure to constantly innovate and outperform rivals frequently enough leads to aggressive strategies,but the backlash demonstrates the importance of respecting artists’ individuality and contributions.

The Rise of 4th Generation Groups: The K-pop landscape is currently dominated by 4th generation groups like aespa,NewJeans (under ADOR),and IVE,who are challenging the established dominance of 3rd generation groups like BTS and BLACKPINK.

The Importance of Brand Identity: Building a strong and unique brand identity is crucial for success in the K-pop industry. Attempts to simply replicate existing formulas ofen fall flat.

* Fan Engagement & Loyalty: Cultivating a strong relationship with fans is essential for long-term success. Disrespecting artists