ADOR CEO slams HYBE group ILLIT as 'NewJeans copycat'

ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin [ADOR]

ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, currently on the verge of being dismissed from her position by HYBE, called ILLIT a “NewJeans copycat” and cited the girl group as source of her clash with her label’s parent company.

Min released a statement on Monday evening criticizing HYBE’s disregard for the similarities between NewJeans and fellow rookie girl group ILLIT, which debuted in March under ADOR's sister label Belift Lab.

“The cultural success of ADOR’s NewJeans is ironically being undermined by HYBE,” Min said. “After ILLIT’s teaser image was released, there was an explosive response online, with many commenting that they initially thought [the group] was NewJeans.

“ILLIT has been copying NewJeans in all areas of activities including hair, makeup, costumes, choreography, photos, videos and event appearances,” Min added. “ILLIT is being evaluated as a derivative of NewJeans, with terms like ‘Min Hee-jin style,’ ‘Min Hee-jin type’ and ‘NewJeans counterpart.'”

Min also blamed HYBE founder Bang Si-hyuk, who helmed the production of ILLIT’s debut EP, for the clash.

“ADOR already filed an official complaint about HYBE’s attitude toward NewJeans, as well as ILLIT’s copycat issue,” Min said. “However, HYBE and Belift Lab refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing, merely coming up with a string of excuses and delaying concrete responses.”

HYBE, in the CEO's telling, notified Min Monday that her position would be “suspended for dismissal,” citing concerns that her actions “might significantly damage ADOR's corporate value.”

Min also denied the conglomerate's claims that she'd attempted a “takeover.”

“I cannot understand how legitimate actions aimed at preserving the cultural achievements of affiliated artists like NewJeans are being twisted into conduct against ADOR’s interests or attempts to usurp its management rights,” the executive said.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]