NewJeans (above) and Illit K-pop girl groups (Photos / HYBE)
Court Rules Against YouTuber in HYBE Defamation Case
A South Korean court has ruled in favor of HYBE in a defamation lawsuit against a YouTuber who alleged that rookie girl group ILLIT plagiarized choreography from NewJeans.
According to a report on April 7, the Seoul Western District Court ordered the YouTuber, identified as “A,” to pay 15 million won (approximately $11,000) in damages, concluding that the individual posted videos without properly verifying the claims.
Court: “Claims Posted Without Proper Verification”
The court found that the YouTuber uploaded multiple videos asserting plagiarism and other allegations without sufficient evidence.
“The defendant posted the videos without adequately confirming their accuracy,” the court stated, ruling that the content damaged HYBE’s reputation.
The case stems from a broader controversy that unfolded during a management dispute between HYBE and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin. During that period, the YouTuber uploaded 31 videos over six months, many of which were critical of HYBE.
Allegations Included Plagiarism and Workplace Claims
In the videos, the YouTuber claimed that ILLIT had copied choreography from NewJeans and presented edited comparison clips labeled as “evidence of plagiarism.”
Additional content included allegations that ILLIT’s manager instructed staff to ignore NewJeans member Hanni and that HYBE had marginalized her—claims the court later found to be unsubstantiated.
The YouTuber also posted videos criticizing ILLIT’s live performance skills and styling, describing their debut stage as “inexperienced” and their outfits as “regressive,” which the court determined constituted defamatory content.
HYBE Sought 300 Million Won in Damages
HYBE initially filed the lawsuit in December 2024, seeking 300 million won in damages. The company argued that the videos spread false information, harmed its reputation, and interfered with its business operations.
“False claims were presented as facts, including allegations that ILLIT plagiarized NewJeans and that HYBE engaged in unfair treatment,” HYBE was quoted as stating during the trial.
In response, the YouTuber argued that the content represented personal opinions about the K-pop industry and could not be considered false statements. The defense also claimed that HYBE, as a major corporation, would not suffer reputational harm from an individual creator’s videos.
Court Cites Lack of Evidence
The court rejected these arguments, determining that the videos went beyond opinion and presented unverified claims as factual statements.
Regarding the plagiarism allegations, the court noted that available reports only indicated the existence of controversy, not confirmed wrongdoing.
“There is insufficient evidence to conclude that ILLIT plagiarized NewJeans’ choreography,” the court was quoted as saying, noting that the YouTuber published the claims without proper verification.
The ruling also referenced a prior decision affirming the validity of NewJeans’ exclusive contract with ADOR, which found no evidence supporting claims that Hanni had been told to be ignored.
Damages Reduced but Liability Confirmed
While the court acknowledged HYBE’s claims, it awarded significantly lower damages than requested. The final compensation was set at 15 million won, taking into account factors such as the number of videos, their reach—ranging from 100,000 to 8 million views—and HYBE’s industry position.
“The amount was determined based on the content, frequency of uploads, and their impact,” the court explained.
Neither party has filed an appeal, making the ruling final.
Industry Context: Growing Scrutiny of Online Content
The case highlights increasing legal scrutiny over K-pop-related content on platforms such as YouTube, where commentary channels often blend opinion with unverified claims.
As the global influence of K-pop continues to expand, entertainment companies are taking a more proactive stance in addressing misinformation and protecting their artists’ reputations.
Legal experts note that this ruling may set a precedent for future cases involving digital creators and entertainment agencies, particularly regarding the responsibility to verify claims before publishing.
Future Outlook
The decision underscores the legal risks associated with spreading unverified allegations in the highly competitive K-pop industry.
For HYBE and its artists, the ruling reinforces efforts to safeguard brand reputation, while signaling to content creators the importance of accuracy and accountability in an increasingly influential digital media landscape.
Allen Shin is an editor at KpopBreaking, specializing in K-pop industry news, artist activities, and breaking developments. He oversees content quality and ensures accurate and timely reporting for global audiences.
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