ILLIT was harmed by its "mother" NewJeans, fans also turned their backs, a chance for BABYMONSTER?

The innocent but most damaged person in the war between HYBE and Min Hee Jin is probably ILLIT. The group could barely raise their heads after their "mother" NewJeans caused a stir.

The ongoing legal battle between Belift Lab (a subsidiary of HYBE Group) and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin continues to gain attention as both sides present their arguments. During the first hearing of Belift Lab’s lawsuit at the Seoul Western District Court on January 10, the company stated that Min Hee Jin’s actions caused significant financial damage to the group ILLIT.

Belift Lab is seeking 2 billion won in damages, alleging that Min Hee Jin's activities led to a drop in the rookie group's social media followers and album sales. The company even revealed that brands had canceled contracts with the girls as a result. HYBE's subsidiary argued that these events had severely affected their artists' growth and sales.

However, the court noted that Belift Lab’s evidence to support its claims of financial loss was not yet concrete. The judge advised the company to submit more detailed documentation to substantiate its alleged damages in future proceedings:

"The Plaintiff argues that the Defendant caused the decrease in ILLIT's official social media followers, the decrease in album sales, and the cancellation of advertising contracts with companies such as KT and Pocari Sweat. However, since the conclusion is still uncertain, detailed evidence of passive and compensatory damages must be submitted at the next trial."

The news of Belift Lab’s claim for damages has shocked and upset fans. Many have expressed their thoughts and opinions on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter). On the other hand, NewJeans fans have defended Min Hee Jin against Belift Lab’s accusations.

Last April, Min Hee Jin accused ILLIT of plagiarizing NewJeans, citing reactions to teaser photos of their "house artist" Belift Lab, which she said bore striking similarities to her five children.

In response to the accusations leveled against it, Belift Lab quickly denied them and stated that the ILLIT concept was finalized internally in July 2023, before the so-called proposal referred to by Min Hee Jin was submitted in late August 2023.

The company then filed a defamation lawsuit against Min Hee Jin, while she countered by suing Belift Lab's CEO for defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act and demanding 5 billion won in damages. The controversy between the two sides has severely affected ILLIT, although it is not directly involved in the war like NewJeans.

Many people think that this is a good opportunity for BABYMONSTER to rise up and defeat ILLIT, but it is not that easy. Because, despite the damage caused by the war between the management company and Min Hee Jin, the "home chicken" Belift Lab still achieved great results that made the opponent wary.

The group has just entered the new world album chart along with Stray Kids, Jimin (BTS) and TXT, announced by Billboard. Accordingly, ILLIT's "I'll Like You" jumped to No. 10 in the seventh week. Surpassing LE SSERAFIM's "Crazy" at No. 12 and BTS's 2022 compilation album "Proof" at No. 13. Finally, aespa's "Whiplash" returned at No. 15.

Stray Kids' "HOP" is currently the No. 1 album on the World Albums chart for the second week in a row, while it also holds the No. 13 spot on the Billboard 200. Meanwhile, Jimin's "Muse" holds the No. 2 spot for the 23rd week and has its 23rd consecutive week on the Billboard 200 at No. 46.

ILLIT "cheated" to win against BABYMONSTER, fans were extremely disappointed Snow10:46:07 14/01/2025Recently, ILLIT's management company suddenly announced that Min Hee Jin caused serious damage to the group but has not provided specific evidence. The incident has not yet calmed down, new scandals have found their way to 5 young girls.