{
  "id": 14349876,
  "title": "Ex-Ador CEO referred to prosecution for defamation over ILLIT plagiarism remarks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/ex-ador-ceo-referred-to-prosecution-for-defamation-over-illit",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T02:37:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/k-pop/20261014/ex-ador-ceo-referred-to-prosecution-for-defamation-over-illit-plagiarism-remarks"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin has been referred to the prosecution for allegedly defaming K-pop girl group ILLIT's agency, Belift Lab, according to sources. Min made the accusations during a press conference in April 2024, stating that ILLIT had plagiarized NewJeans, a girl group produced by her agency. Just a month later, Belift Lab filed a complaint against Min. The Seoul Yongsan Police Station forwarded the case to the prosecution on October 1, recommending charges of defamation and obstruction of business against Min. The prosecution alleges that Min spread false information in an attempt to slander Belift Lab and its parent company, HYBE. This development follows a court decision in March 2025 that found it difficult to view ILLIT as plagiarizing NewJeans, granting Ador an injunction to prevent its members from engaging in independent activities. The dispute arose after Min was removed from her position in 2024 amid tensions with HYBE, ILLIT's parent company.",
  "summary": "Police have referred former Ador chief executive Min Hee-jin to the prosecution for allegedly defaming the agency of K-pop girl group ILLIT, sources said Wednesday. Min is accused of defamation over her remarks during a press conference in April 2024 that ILLIT plagiarized NewJeans, a girl group produced by her. Belift Lab, ILLIT's agency, filed a complaint against Min the following month. The…",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin referred to prosecution for defamation.",
    "Accusations stem from April 2024 remarks about ILLIT plagiarizing NewJeans.",
    "Seoul Yongsan Police forwarded case to prosecution on October 1."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The referral of these allegations to prosecutors signals a legal escalation in the corporate power struggle between Min Hee-jin and HYBE over the creative integrity of their respective idol groups.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Ex-ADOR CEO referred to prosecution for defamation over Illit plagiarism remarks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/ex-ador-ceo-referred-to-prosecution-for-defamation-over-illit-14352754",
        "published": "2026-10-14T02:13:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Min Hee-jin referred to prosecutors over Illit plagiarism claims",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/min-hee-jin-referred-to-prosecutors-over-illit-plagiarism-claims",
        "published": "2026-10-14T02:57:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}