Min Hee Jin & V BTS: Chat Reveals Disappointment

A dispute between Min Hee Jin and HYBE has taken a new turn with the revelation that private messages exchanged between Min Hee Jin and BTS member V were submitted as evidence in court. The conflict centers on allegations that the girl group ILLIT, from BELIFT LAB, has copied concepts from NewJeans, a group under ADOR.

The Core of the Dispute

The disagreement escalated with accusations of plagiarism. V, responding to a discussion about the perceived similarities between ILLIT and NewJeans, reportedly shared his personal impression that some elements appeared similar. The court, however, clarified that V’s statement was considered a subjective assessment rather than a statement of factual elements.

V’s Perspective

According to messages revealed in court, V stated, “Always there’s talk about plagiarism… I also saw it and thought, ‘This looks similar.’” He later expressed his discomfort with the use of his private conversation as evidence, stating he showed empathy as a friend and did not intend to take sides. He emphasized that the conversation was a personal one and submitted without his consent.

Did You Know? The Seoul Central District Court ruled on February 12, 2026, rejecting most of HYBE’s claims and awarding 25.5 billion KRW (approximately 298 billion KRW) to Min Hee Jin.

Court Ruling and Implications

The court ultimately sided with Min Hee Jin in the shareholder agreement lawsuit against HYBE. The court found that Min Hee Jin’s concerns about ILLIT copying NewJeans were a legitimate expression of opinion. The court also criticized HYBE for publicizing the internal dispute and involving the press, stating that the company was responsible for escalating the situation.

Expert Insight: The inclusion of private messages as evidence highlights the potential for personal communications to become relevant in high-profile legal battles within the entertainment industry, raising questions about privacy and the boundaries of professional discourse.

The use of V’s messages as evidence underscores how internal opinions and personal conversations can have an impact in significant legal cases. This case could lead to increased scrutiny regarding the handling of private communications within the industry.

What Could Happen Next

HYBE may appeal the court’s decision. A possible next step for HYBE could be to seek a review of the ruling, potentially focusing on the admissibility of the evidence. Further legal proceedings could also lead to a re-evaluation of the claims regarding concept similarities between NewJeans and ILLIT. It is also likely that this case will prompt a broader discussion about the protection of intellectual property and the standards for originality in the K-pop industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the basis of the dispute between Min Hee Jin and HYBE?

The dispute stemmed from allegations that the girl group ILLIT copied concepts from NewJeans.

What role did BTS’s V play in the legal proceedings?

Private messages exchanged between V and Min Hee Jin were submitted as evidence in court, revealing V’s opinion that ILLIT appeared similar to NewJeans.

What was the outcome of the court case?

Min Hee Jin won the case regarding the termination of the shareholder agreement, with the court rejecting most of HYBE’s claims and awarding her 25.5 billion KRW.

How might this case influence future legal disputes within the entertainment industry?