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K-pop girl groups NewJeans, left, and ILLIT. Photo from artists' X accounts

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Jaehwa Bernardo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171378823241120240422 hybe.png" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">K-pop girl groups NewJeans, left, and ILLIT. <em>Photos from groups&#x27; X accounts</em></span></span></span>It appears that there is discord within K-pop agency HYBE after the executive behind rising girl group NewJeans accused newer act ILLIT of being copycats, according to a report.</div><p>The Korea JoongAng Daily reported that Min Hee-jin, the CEO of NewJeans&#x27; label ADOR, slammed HYBE for overlooking the similarities between her group and ILLIT.</p><p>ADOR is a sub-label of HYBE, which is also the parent company of Belift Lab that launched ILLIT in March.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/3/25/new-k-pop-group-illit-wants-to-tell-genuine-stories-through-relatable-music-1610"><strong>READ: ILLIT wants to tell &#x27;genuine stories&#x27; through &#x27;relatable music&#x27;<br/></strong></a></div><p>&quot;The cultural success of ADOR’s NewJeans is ironically being undermined by HYBE,&quot; Min was quoted as saying in a statement on Monday <a class="fr-green" href="https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-04-22/business/industry/ADOR-CEO-calls-HYBE-group-ILLIT-a-NewJeans-copycat/2031033"><strong>by the JoongAng Daily</strong></a>.</p><p>&quot;ILLIT has been copying NewJeans in all areas of activities including hair, makeup, costumes, choreography, photos, videos and event appearances,&quot; she added.</p><p>Min blamed HYBE founder Bang Si-hyuk, who also took part in producing ILLIT&#x27;s debut extended play, for the clash, according to the report.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/3/27/bts-agency-hybe-strikes-new-distribution-deal-with-umg-1535"><strong>READ: BTS agency HYBE strikes new distribution deal with UMG<br/></strong></a></div><p>She said she filed a complaint about the copycat issue, but &quot;HYBE and Belift Lab refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing, merely coming up with a string of excuses and delaying concrete responses.&quot;</p><p>Min also denied trying to take over ADOR. This came following reports that HYBE initiated an audit of ADOR&#x27;s management after alleged attempts of the sub-label to become independent.</p><p>After debuting in July 2022, NewJeans quickly attracted listeners with its 1990s- and 2000s-inspired pop and R&amp;B tracks. Most recently, the team behind hits such as &quot;OMG&quot; and &quot;Super Shy&quot; received the Group of the Year Award at the 2024 Billboard Women in Music.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/3/27/k-pop-group-newjeans-announces-comeback-tour-plans-1200"><strong>READ: NewJeans announces comeback, tour plans<br/></strong></a></div><div><em>For more news and features on K-pop, K-drama, and K-stars, visit the </em><a class="fr-green" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/kcontents"><strong><em>Hallyu Corner </em></strong></a><em>microsite.</em></div>

<p>The CEO of the label behind rising K-pop act NewJeans accused newer group ILLIT of being copycats, according to a report.</p>

The CEO of the label behind rising K-pop act NewJeans accused newer group ILLIT of being copycats, according to a report.

Copycats? NewJeans' boss reportedly hits fellow HYBE group ILLIT

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Copycats? NewJeans' boss reportedly hits fellow HYBE group ILLIT

Jaehwa Bernardo,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 22, 2024 08:28 PM PHT

Read More:

K-pop

K-content

HYBE

ADOR

Min Hee-jin

NewJeans

ILLIT

Belift Lab

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