K-pop group Le Sserafim's agency Source Music files lawsuit against ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin
According to Source Music, the lawsuit concerns the allegations made by Min against Le Sserafim and Source Music during her public battle with South Korean entertainment conglomerate HYBE.
The ongoing battle between ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and entertainment conglomerate HYBE has taken a new turn. On Monday (Jul 15), an official from South Korean music label Source Music – a sub-label of HYBE that manages the K-pop quintet Le Sserafim – confirmed to members of the media that it had filed a lawsuit against Min.
According to South Korean publication Sports Seoul, the lawsuit demanded 500 million won (US$360,800) from Min for damages from defamation, obstruction of business and insult. Furthermore, it was reported that "there was room" for the compensation to increase, depending on the extent of the damages faced by Source Music.
In April this year, Min held a press conference where she defended herself against accusations from HYBE claiming that she is trying to seize management control of ADOR – a HYBE sub-label that manages K-pop girl group NewJeans.
During the press conference, Min also explained the circumstances behind NewJeans' formation, claiming that NewJeans' debut was delayed as HYBE wanted to debut Le Sserafim first.
Source Music's lawsuit reportedly centres around three claims raised during Min's press conference:
- Min personally casting the members of NewJeans
- Source Music neglecting the members of NewJeans
- Min having to break the promise of debuting NewJeans as HYBE's first girl group
Sports Seoul added that Source Music has submitted evidence and data to the courts to counter Min's allegations.
Source Music's lawsuit comes months after Belift Lab, the HYBE sub-label behind girl group Illit, sued Min for claiming that the group had plagiarised NewJeans.