ADOR has responded to the reports about HYBE by launching an audit against its management.
Earlier on April 22, HYBE launched an audit against ADOR’s management, including CEO Min Hee Jin, after allegedly detecting attempts by ADOR to become independent.
Hello. It is ADOR Co., Ltd. (hereinafter ADOR, President Min Hee Jin).
ADOR is publicly addressing the incident of ILLIT copying NewJeans to protect our artist NewJeans and for the healthy development of the music industry and culture in Korea.
HYBE operates a multi-label system so that multiple labels can create their music independently and pursue cultural diversity. ADOR is one of them. Ironically, the cultural achievements of ADOR and our NewJeans artist are being severely violated by HYBE.
BELIFT LAB, one of HYBE’s labels, introduced the five-girl group ILLIT in March of this year. After the publication of the ILLIT teaser photos, explosive reactions spread on the Internet: “I thought they were NewJeans.” ILLIT is copying NewJeans in all aspects of entertainment activities, including hair, makeup, clothing, choreography, photos, videos and event appearances. ILLIT is being evaluated as “Min Hee Jin style,” “Min Hee Jin type,” and “a NewJeans knockoff.”
It is a truly shameful situation.
HYBE president Bang Si Hyuk produced ILLIT’s debut album. ILLIT’s copying of NewJeans was not done independently by BELIFT LAB, but also implicates HYBE. HYBE, a leading K-pop company, is blinded by short-term profits and is producing on a large scale without originality by copying successful cultural content without hesitation.
NewJeans is currently preparing for its return in May. However, ILLIT has caused NewJeans to be brought up when they are not currently promoting. The appearance of an imitation has caused NewJeans’ image to fade and has caused concern and fatigue to fans and the public with unnecessary involvement in disputes. The main culprits that have created this situation are HYBE and BELIFT LAB, but the damage caused by this is entirely ADOR and NewJeans.
There are reactions that consider it understandable that ILLIT is similar to NewJeans, since both are under the HYBE label. Some even think that ADOR and NewJeans have allowed or condoned this similarity. However, these reactions are clearly a misunderstanding, and we want to clear it up. A multi-label system is a system for each label to independently create the music they want, not a system of giving indulgences to other labels to copy another label’s cultural achievements just because they are affiliated labels.
And ADOR has never allowed or given consent to anyone, including HYBE and BELIFT LAB, to copy NewJeans’ achievements. ADOR does not want NewJeans and ILLIT to be associated in any way. We have no intention of tolerating promotions such as groups being brothers just because they debuted under the HYBE label.
ADOR has already officially raised with HYBE and BELIFT LAB the issue of the copying incident and a series of behaviors adopted by HYBE against NewJeans. However, HYBE and BELIFT LAB did not admit their wrongdoings and dedicated themselves to making excuses, delaying concrete responses. Amid this, HYBE suddenly reported today (April 22, 2024) that they would be suspending and terminating CEO Min Hee Jin from her duties, stating that there is “concern that [la CEO Min Hee Jin] could significantly damage the corporate value of ADOR.”
At the same time, they try a ridiculous media game like CEO Min Hee Jin “tried to seize the management rights.” It is incomprehensible how a legitimate complaint to protect the cultural achievements of our NewJeans artist could harm the interests of ADOR or how it could be an act of seizing control of ADOR.
It seems that HYBE and BELIFT LAB, along with President Bang Si Hyuk, think that simply firing CEO Min Hee Jin from the company will end this matter without offering any proper apology or action. However, ADOR will use all possible means and methods to protect the cultural achievements that NewJeans has worked for and to prevent further copying infringements. We want to make it clear that we cannot tolerate the continued copying and various unfair actions against ADOR and NewJeans.
HYBE and BELIFT LAB may try to dilute the debut incident by highlighting the differences between NewJeans and ILLIT as ILLIT’s activities increase. Misunderstandings on the part of fans and the public can also increase over time. As a result, ADOR has decided to announce an official position after sufficient discussion with NewJeans members and legal representatives.
Through this statement, we hope that HYBE and BELIFT LAB will confront their wrongdoings and contribute to the Korean music industry and culture through earnest contemplation and creation, respecting each other’s cultural achievements.
Thank you.
