Belift Lab has vehemently denied ILLIT’s plagiarism accusations, providing detailed explanations and offering access to relevant data. However, their efforts have not fully assuaged public concerns, particularly among younger female audiences. The company may need to refine its communication strategies to effectively address these lingering perceptions.
Belift Lab’s Official Statement on YouTube
Belift Lab, the agency representing ILLIT, has released a 27-minute video explaining their position. First, I will provide a translated summary of the video’s content, and in the next post, I will share the reactions from the Korean community. The content of the video uploaded by Belift Lab on YouTube is as follows:
Alleged Lack of Response to Min Hee-jin’s Email
Min Heejin’s Claim: Min Heejin, the CEO of ADOR and producer of NewJeans, asserted that Belift Lab responded to her email regarding plagiarism concerns with a mere three-line, perfunctory reply.
Belift Lab’s Response: Belift Lab counters this claim, stating that they sent three detailed responses, offering to provide any necessary materials. They acknowledge that a HYBE gratitude team was indeed sent six days after their final response.
Analysis: This point highlights the differing perspectives regarding the communication between both parties. Belift Lab maintains they provided thorough responses, while Min Heejin perceived them as insufficient.
Refuting ILLIT’s Plagiarism Claims
Belift Lab’s Stance: Belift Lab’s CEO, Kim Taeho, vehemently denies any plagiarism. To substantiate their position, they offered to provide access to all relevant data from their cloud storage, laptops, emails, and internal messaging systems. They emphasize their efforts to differentiate ILLIT from NewJeans.
Analysis: Belift Lab’s strong denial and willingness to provide evidence demonstrate their commitment to addressing the allegations.
Addressing Alleged Similarities in Photos
Min Heejin’s Claim: Min Hee-jin pointed out similarities between ILLIT’s photoshoots and those of NewJeans, particularly one shot by ELLE magazine.
Belift Lab’s Response: Belift Lab clarifies that the ELLE photoshoot was entirely under ELLE’s control, from concept development to outfit selection. They assert that the claim of plagiarism is based on factual inaccuracies.
Analysis: Belift Lab shifts the responsibility for the ELLE photoshoot to ELLE, emphasizing that it was not a replication of NewJeans’ work.
Denying Similarities in Performances
Min Heejin’s Claim: ILLIT’s choreography was accused of mimicking NewJeans’ performances.
Belift Lab’s Response: Belift Lab’s performance director, Myung Sangwoo, provides a detailed explanation in the video, demonstrating the distinct choreographies of ILLIT and NewJeans.
Analysis: Belift Lab addresses the choreography concerns through a visual demonstration, aiming to provide concrete evidence.
Clarifying Brand Collaborations and Marketing
Min Heejin’s Claim: Min Heejin suggested that Belift Lab imitated NewJeans’ marketing strategies, particularly brand collaborations.
Belift Lab’s Response: Belift Lab acknowledges that brand collaborations are a common marketing tactic employed by many girl groups, including NewJeans and ILLIT. However, they highlight the different marketing approaches taken by the two groups. NewJeans adopted a more mysterious concept, while ILLIT’s debut was preceded by member exposure through a survival program. Therefore, they assert that ILLIT did not mimic NewJeans’ marketing strategies.
Analysis: Belift Lab differentiates ILLIT’s marketing approach from NewJeans’, emphasizing the unique circumstances surrounding each group’s debut.
Conclusion: Public Perception and the Challenge of Persuasion
Belift Lab’s Perspective: Belift Lab’s response aims to address Min Heejin’s plagiarism allegations through a rational and evidence-based approach.
Public Perception: Despite Belift Lab’s efforts, their explanations have not fully resonated with the Korean public, particularly younger female audiences.
Analysis: Belift Lab faces the challenge of bridging the gap between their logical explanations and the public’s perception. They may need to consider alternative communication strategies to effectively convey their message.
Overall, Belift Lab’s response presents a detailed rebuttal to Min Heejin’s plagiarism claims. However, the effectiveness of their communication remains a point of consideration.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this post. Please share your thoughts in the comments!
Seriously, Belift Lab, why no English subtitles? ILLIT has fans all over the world, not just in Korea. I saw the English summary in this post, but that’s not enough!