Court Sets New Trial Date for Lawsuit Between LE SSERAFIM’s Agency and Min Hee Jin

The second hearing for the damages lawsuit filed by LE SSERAFIM’s SOURCE MUSIC against Min Hee Jin has been rescheduled to May.

The former ADOR CEO was sued by HYBE subsidiaries when her conflict with the entertainment agency began in April last year. She accused ILLIT of copying the NewJeans (rebranded as NJZ) concept and LE SSERAFIM of being favored by HYBE. Several other allegations were made against these groups in the ongoing dispute.

As a result, BELIFT LAB (ENHYPEN, ILLIT) and SOURCE MUSIC (LE SSERAFIM) filed damages lawsuits for defamation.

According to legal sources on March 13, the second hearing for SOURCE MUSIC’s 500 million won damage lawsuit against Min Hee Jin has been rescheduled. Initially set for March 14, the hearing will now take place on May 30. 

The court has approved the label’s request to move the hearing from its original date of March 14 to May 30. This change is reportedly intended to avoid potential conflicts, as LE SSERAFIM is also set to make a comeback today, March 14.

In the first hearing on January 10, SOURCE MUSIC alleged that former CEO Min Hee Jin had publicly spread false information about LE SSERAFIM during an emergency press conference. The two parties reportedly clashed over the rights and responsibilities related to the casting and training process of NJZ members.

Min Hee Jin held an emergency press conference last year to address allegations of a takeover attempt. During the press briefing, the former ADOR CEO specifically mentioned SOURCE MUSIC and LE SSERAFI. She stated that HYBE had planned and promised to debut NewJeans as their first girl group. However, the agency ultimately prioritized LE SSERAFIM’s debut and reportedly restricted NewJeans’ promotional activities.

In response, SOURCE MUSIC condemned the spread of false information and the use of derogatory language. Furthermore, the agency accused Min Hee Jin of deliberately spreading misinformation and attempting to sway public opinion. Then, LE SSERAFIM’s label filed a 500 million won damages lawsuit against Min Hee Jin in July 2024.

Meanwhile, LE SSERAFIM is set to release their 5th mini-album ‘HOT‘ today. On the other hand, Min Hee Jin was removed as ADOR CEO in August 2024 and she resigned from the post of internal director in November last year.

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