Min Hee-jin wins 2.5 billion won lawsuit in first trial; BELIFT LAB, SOURCE MUSIC "will appeal immediately"

Court dismisses 2.5 billion won damages lawsuitBELIFT LAB: "We are very disappointed with the ruling that there are victims but no perpetrators."Min Hee-jin, former CEO of ADOR (currently CEO of OKRECORDS), has won the damages lawsuit filed by BELIFT LAB and SOURCE MUSIC, but both companies have immediately announced their intention to appeal. The photo shows her attending a press conference held at the Kyowon Challenge Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul, in February. /Reporter Song Ho-young[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Soo-bin] The legal battle between Min Hee-jin, former CEO of ADOR, and HYBE's subsidiary labels BELIFT LAB and SOURCE MUSIC has entered a new phase. While the court ruled in favor of Min, both companies strongly opposed the ruling and announced their intention to appeal.On the afternoon of the 13th, the Seoul Western District Court dismissed all claims in the first trial of the damages lawsuits filed by BELIFT LAB and SOURCE MUSIC against Min Hee-jin, former CEO of ADOR (currently CEO of OKRECORDS), seeking 2 billion won and 500 million won respectively, ruling in favor of the defendants.Previously, BELIFT LAB filed a lawsuit seeking 2 billion won in damages, citing defamation and obstruction of business, in relation to Min's allegations of plagiarism against the group ILLIT under HYBE. SOURCE MUSIC also filed a lawsuit seeking 500 million won, citing issues such as management of trainees and dissemination of false information.According to the court ruling released by OKRECORDS, led by Min, the court explained, "Criticism and expression of opinions regarding the similarity and imitation of creative works in the field of popular culture and arts should be broadly protected as freedom of expression. Therefore, the defendant's statements are subjective evaluations or expressions of opinion, not factual assertions, and are not unlawful. The plaintiffs' claims for damages lack legal grounds, and the defendant's counterclaim is also without merit."In response, Min stated through OKRECORDS, "The plaintiff has repeatedly engaged in malicious acts, such as delaying the trial multiple times and changing the grounds for their claims, showing no intention to expedite the lawsuit from the beginning. I evaluate this as a common-sense judgment by the judiciary regarding unreasonable legal attacks and the shifting of responsibility."She added, "So-called 'Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation' (SLAPP) filed with absurd claims should no longer be tolerated in the industry. Taking this ruling as an opportunity, we will put an end to the wasteful controversy and resolutely deal with matters according to principles to foster a healthy industry environment."However, SOURCE MUSIC and BELIFT LAB announced their immediate intention to appeal. SOURCE MUSIC stated in an official statement, "We express our deep regret regarding the first trial ruling. We feel regret and helplessness at facing a reality where the clear truth presented by our company was not protected by law."They continued, "Min Hee-jin's reckless false statements have caused immense damage to labels where trust with trainees and artists is paramount. The court has sided only with Min Hee-jin's position and ignored actions that have inflicted irreparable emotional damage on artists who are not even direct parties to the dispute."They emphasized, "We will immediately appeal to rectify the injustice of the first trial ruling, protect our artists, and strive to the end to uncover the objective truth."BELIFT LAB also stated, "We are very disappointed with the ruling that there are victims but no perpetrators. If we carelessly grant immunity on the grounds of 'expression of opinion' or 'rhetorical expression' despite clear victimhood and perpetration, there will be continuous second and third victims."They added, "The investigative agency forwarded Min Hee-jin's statements with an opinion to prosecute, and we requested a reopening of the trial by submitting the referral decision, but it was not accepted. We did not even have the opportunity to receive a hearing on the decisive evidence that we newly obtained and submitted. We will immediately appeal to seek judgment from a higher court."subin7134@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]