A court in South Korea has ruled in favor of HYBE in a defamation lawsuit against a YouTuber identified as “A,” concluding that the creator spread unverified claims that damaged the company’s reputation. The decision was issued by the Seoul Western District Court on April 7, following months of controversy tied to online content.
Viral Videos And Plagiarism Claims Intensify HYBE Dispute And Legal Action
The case stems from April 2024, during a highly publicized dispute between HYBE and Min Hee-jin. Over six months, the YouTuber uploaded 31 videos criticizing HYBE and its artists, including allegations that ILLIT plagiarized choreography from NewJeans. The videos used strong claims such as “proof of copying” and featured edited comparisons of performances, along with accusations of internal mistreatment, including claims that ILLIT’s manager ignored NewJeans member Hanni.
Additional content targeted ILLIT’s live performances and styling, further amplifying the controversy. Some videos gained significant traction, reaching up to millions of views, increasing their impact on public perception. HYBE responded by filing a ₩300 million lawsuit in December 2024, arguing that the claims were false and harmful.
Court Rejects Defense Arguments, Upholds Defamation Ruling And Awards Reduced Damages
In defense, the YouTuber argued that the videos reflected personal opinions and that HYBE, as a major corporation, would not suffer meaningful damage. However, the court rejected this argument, stating there was no verified evidence supporting the plagiarism or mistreatment allegations. It also referenced prior rulings that found no basis for claims of internal misconduct.
The court ultimately ruled the content defamatory, emphasizing that unverified claims had been presented as facts. While HYBE initially sought ₩300 million, the court awarded ₩15 million in damages, considering the scale and reach of the videos. The ruling is now final after neither side filed an appeal.
