Embedded Files
English Sub-titles (Provided by Belift Lab)
English Sub-titles (Provided by Belift Lab)
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[This non-profit video exclusively features footage intended
to convey the stance of ADOR President Min Hee Jin and BELIFT LAB]
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[Dear artists, fellow creators, and fans,
please understand that the use of other artists' videos was inevitable
to articulate our stance and dispute the allegations of plagiarism]
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[September 1, 2023, ILLIT's Formation]
[March 25, 2024, ILLIT's Debut]
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[Views]
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ILLIT entered the US Billboard Chart
just eight days after their debut
["ILLIT Enters US Billboard Chart Eight Days After Debut"]
[Source: YouTube - MBC News]
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ILLIT transcended the barriers
of the US music market at once
["ILLIT Instantly Transcended the Billboard Main Chart Entry Barrier"]
[Source: YouTube - SBS News]
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ILLIT debuted on March 25th
and received numerous congratulations
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They topped various music charts
immediately upon their debut
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We're grateful for coming in first place
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Although unexpected, the group entered
[“ILLIT Ranks on US Billboard Global Song Chart Nine Weeks Straight"]
[“ILLIT, First K-pop Girl Group to Enter 'Billboard Hot 100' Upon Debut"]
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both “Billboard Hot 100" and “Billboard 200"
["ILLIT's Worldwide Fame: Seven Weeks on the US Billboard Chart"]
[“ILLIT's 'Magnetic' Magnetizes Key US Billboard Charts for Eight Weeks"]
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Their debut album saw unprecedented success
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They deserved a celebration, but instead,
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they mostly faced criticism
[April 25, 2024, Min Hee Jin's Press Conference]
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[April 25, 2024, Min Hee Jin's Press Conference]
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This will disadvantage everyone
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including ILLIT
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All I want is fair competition
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But why copy us?
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It's like, why bother trying something new, when you can copy what has worked before?
[“Hello, this is Min Hee Jin
I officially express my stance regarding ILLIT's plagiarism of NewJeans"]
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Soon, we'll see copycat NewJeans everywhere
[“ILLIT is copying NewJeans in every way"]
[“Labelled as NewJeans' Derivative"]
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[“'The Retaliation Was to Cover Up Plagiarism'
Insists Min Hee Jin, 'Mother' of NewJeans"]
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[“Min Hee Jin Can't Take 'Copycat NewJeans' ILLIT Anymore:
'I'm just here to serve justice'"]
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[“ADOR Exposes 'ILLIT's Plagiarism of NewJeans
HYBE Only Offers Excuses"]
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I didn't blow the whistle for money
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Why would I?
I can effortlessly earn 100 billion won
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So why in the world
would I blow the whistle? For what?
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I'm not condemning ILLIT
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They're just innocent girls
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The grown ups are the problem
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I'm Choe Yunhyeok
the Vice President of BELIFT LAB
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I'm Kim Tae Ho
the President of BELIFT LAB
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I'm the so-called ILLIT's producer
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If she sincerely thought that the girls were innocent
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she would've avoided bringing them up
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when it was not called for
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But her doing so is practically
encouraging and instigating
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her supporters and idol fans
who agree with her
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to criticize and badmouth ILLIT
[“NewJeans' image was stolen by a derivative
at the hands of HYBE and BELIFT LAB]
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Eventually, she got her wish
[to which ADOR and NewJeans fell victim to"]
[April 22, 2024, Min Hee Jin's Official Statement]
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That was... cruel of her
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It's unfair to frame
ILLIT's record-breaking achievement
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as plagiarism and emulation
through such witch-hunt-like allegations
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I thought she'd know better
being a veteran in this industry
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That was why her statement put me in shock
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The fact that this unprecedented incident
stemmed from her tall tales
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all to satisfy her selfish desires
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makes it very difficult to forgive her
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[March 25, 2024, ILLIT's Debut]
[April 3, 2024, An Email That Started It All]
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[April 3, 2024, An Email That Started It All]
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ADOR sent this email on April 3rd
[April 3, 2024, An Email That Started It All]
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Look at the title
“Infringement Issue of NewJeans' Brand"
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And the parents of NewJeans members
were all looped in
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She insists that from our marketing
to the way ILLIT makes their appearances
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the production processes
and even the transcription of credits
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we completely copied NewJeans
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Here you can see four files attached
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that allegedly insist
ILLIT's infringement of NewJeans' brand
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We've reviewed the details
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and most were captured images from posts
[The backlash against ILLIT went viral
criticizing their concept photo image, long straight hairdo
and composition for resembling NewJeans]
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on social media
YouTube, and fan communities
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Huh? Aren't they NewJeans?
[“New Copycat Twin Concept of NewJeans"]
[Source: YouTube Fact Kim]
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The more I look at them
the closer they resemble NewJeans
[“New Copycat Twin Concept of NewJeans"]
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Upon ILLIT's photo release
[Source: YouTube GTV]
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netizens condemned the group for
their twin-like resemblance to NewJeans
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It's common for new groups to emulate
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their seniors' success with specific concepts
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Min Hee Jin, who created NewJeans
saw similarities with her work
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and started to claim that we copied her
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But unfortunately for her
that isn't the case at all
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No investor in their right mind
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would create a “copycat" artist
when billions of Korean won are at stake
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It simply doesn't make sense
that our debut plans
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had a copycat NewJeans in mind
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We replied to her email
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She claimed that you never did
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It probably means she did not receive
the kind of response she wanted
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What was HYBE's response
to the whistleblowing on the issue?
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They paid me back with an abrupt inspection
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There was no reply
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Instead, they just barged in
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["BELIFT LAB President Kim Tae Ho merely sent me
a formal three-line reply with no substance instead of a response"]
[May 24, 2024, From Min Hee Jin's court documents to be filed]
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[“Dear ADOR President Min Hee Jin
Your email has been well received.
Our company will prepare a response to your claims"]
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["As this is a rather sudden request and not a light matter,
we will reply upon a thorough and prudent review, which make take time.
Thank you for your understanding in advance."]
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["We are preparing a response to your email last week
As the artists' parents will be looped in, we are preparing our response
most carefully, reviewing each step, which has resulted in a delay"]
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["We voice our stance in response to
one of your claims we received on April 3rd
You stated that 'SUPER REAL ME' resembles NewJeans
musically, visually, and choreography-wise"]
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“While there are criticisms that claim they look similar
there are just as many rebuttals arguing otherwise"
[April 16, 2024, Reply sent from BELIFT LAB to ADOR]
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“We have never brought up or benchmarked NewJeans
in marketing activities, distribution of press releases
production of content, or any other elements"
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That's the reply I sent
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We suggested to provide the data
from all cloud services, laptops, emails
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and the in-house messenger
we use in BELIFT LAB
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And this suggestion was made voluntarily
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Upon reviewing them
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we found not a single piece of evidence
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of us bringing up NewJeans
or referencing their work
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That was why HYBE could firmly state
that none of ADOR's claims were facts
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[“Before responding to the issue raised by your company
we have reviewed all document created in BELIFT LAB
and found no factual evidence of having imitated NewJeans"]
[April 22, 2024, Reply sent from HYBE to ADOR]
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There was one relevant phrase, “Not NewJeans"
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Our debut group was decided on September 1st
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Afterward, we initiated the group brand planning
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and that phrase originated from
the “Girl Group Brand Strategy Proposal"
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“How do we find our own unique positioning?"
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Here you'll see, “Not NewJeans"
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We actually emphasized “Not New Jeans" in our document
[NOT NewJeans] [NOT BLACKPINK] [NOT IVE]
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That's because the three groups' howling success
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would most likely overshadow our debut group
[NOT NewJeans: Teenagers, materialization of grown ups' dreams]
[NOT BLACKPINK: Untouchable, perfect celebrities]
[NOT IVE: Beautiful princesses admired by all]
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[SUPER (REAL) ME]
[Not "ideal girls" conjured up by adults
but girls who love and embrace the imperfections of today]
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Never in my life did I hear such nonsense
that leaves me speechless
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as her claims that we stole the idea
of “long, straight hair"
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I've never ever heard of hairstyle
being a target of plagiarism
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NewJeans isn't the one and only group with
a clean, lively, and pure concept
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Many other groups in the same segment
share the same concept
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Does that mean
we plagiarized all those groups?
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Is she saying we copied all of them?
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You simply cannot make such claims
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I'll tell you why ILLIT is problematic
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I'm not saying
long, straight hair itself is plagiarism
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But the problem is, their production formula
resembles ours a little too much
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Even if one group follows
another group's so-called routine
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nobody accuses another of
“copying their formula"
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I rather wish
there was an existing production formula
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that would streamline
our company's operations
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If there were such things
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producers would follow Beatles' formula
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or BTS' formula with guaranteed success
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I believe she created such a term
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to make up for the lack of evidence
of ILLIT's plagiarism
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NewJeans do not portray themselves
as average teenagers
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From what I saw, they were a group
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popular among the generation
that felt nostalgia for the 90s and the Y2K
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In contrast, when we produced ILLIT
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we intended to make them
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more approachable, lovable, and lively
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I believe this intention is what sets
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the two groups' characteristics and goals apart
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[May 24, 2024, From Min Hee Jin's court documents to be filed]
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Actually, it was at court when we first saw
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the photos that were used to accuse us of plagiarism
[The similarity between ILLIT and NewJeans was seen
in the concept photo before releasing the debut album]
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during a court hearing
[No originality at all] [They do resemble NewJeans] [Total copycats]
[They're both just groups of five] [They're so NewJeans]
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We once did a pictorial for
a fashion magazine called “ELLE"
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and that's where those photos are from
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Everyone knows that
“ELLE" makes the decisions, not us
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We didn't decide on the concept either
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She used irrelevant photos
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to claim that our concept photos
resemble those of NewJeans
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There is no factual ground for her claim
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Our concept photos consist of two versions
[Lee Gajun]
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the SUPER version and the REAL version
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The SUPER version highlights
the goofiness and liveliness of teenage girls
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exploring what kind of dreams
and imaginations they might have
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That's why they're buried in a pool of dolls
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and play around on an animal-shaped clouds
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This concept reflected
the actual opinions of ILLIT members
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REAL ME portrays the real images of these girls
who think of such cute imaginations before their sleep
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We tried to bring out their natural look
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Back then, the members were
true to themselves like typical teenage girls
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They ran excitedly together, ate tasty food
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and chattered around
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We tried our best
to showcase their candid sides
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Their styling concept mainly aimed to
inspire teenagers to follow suit
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That's why we featured
the cool princess style and lacy looks
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The girlcore fashion was in for a while
[Heo Seryeon / Visual Director]
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We reinterpreted the trend of balloon skirts
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or outfits a princess would wear
in a cutesy style
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[Source: YouTube - idol studio]
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We showcased a blend of cute items
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and cool street-style items
such as sneakers or walkers
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The fashion industry called it the “ILLIT-core"
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complimenting the group's originality
in the reinterpreted style
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We'll have to see
the SUPER and REAL versions together
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to fully understand the message
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ILLIT intended to convey
through their debut album
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ILLIT's whole concept is being criticized
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simply because some photos from
one of the concepts resembled another group's
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I think that's unfair
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So many of Korea's top renowned experts
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partook in this concept development
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It was hard for us to take in the fact
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that the group is being framed as
a mere derivative instigated by one single person
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There is no set standard for emulation
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and no particular person
who makes such standards
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00:11:32,159 --> 00:11:34,461
What is the standard for emulation anyway?
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Why did you use our choreography
without our permission?
[April 25, 2024, Min Hee Jin's Press Conference]
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I really want to know
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Why did you steal our choreography, BELIFT LAB?
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Those are our main dance moves
Our choreographers are seething with anger
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[She has a right to be furious]
[Source: YouTube - Walkie Talkie]
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[They're like twins] [“Easy" and “Attention" are the same!]
[Noise Marketing] [Same choreographer, same agency]
[They're like NewJeans' double] [NewJeans with different members]
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[Plagiarizing singer, plagiarizing director]
[We need an explanation from ILLIT]
[They're just a mix-match of famous groups]
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[According to President Min Hee Jin, she didn't agree to this]
[LOL Who made the choreography?]
[The members are innocent, but the choreography is...]
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[It could be a respectful homage to their agency seniors]
[They're just innocent girls. The grown ups are the problem]
[Creativity is extinct]
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Hello
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I'm Myeong Sangwoo
the Performance Director of ILLIT
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In my opinion
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it's unreasonable to even
bring up plagiarism for this matter
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When we request a choreography
from tremendously famous choreographers
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we provide about ten directions
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None of the directions mentioned NewJeans
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Most of the controversy stemmed from
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parts that are so fleeting
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The public is enjoying and dancing along
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to the finger choreography from “Magnetic"
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It became ILLIT's signature dance move
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and the core focus of the choreography
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If we inspect our choreography as a whole
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you'll realize that
it feels nothing like that of NewJeans
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00:12:55,909 --> 00:12:59,680
If you take a look
at the allegedly copied dance move
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you can see them groove
to accentuate the "magnetic" part
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hold it briefly, then let go
That was what I tried to show
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[ILLIT] [NewJeans]
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This isn't even the highlight
and it lasts less than two seconds
[ILLIT] [NewJeans]
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I do not see how this is plagiarism
213
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Please consider the broader picture
214
00:13:36,350 --> 00:13:43,357
[ILLIT] [NewJeans]
215
00:13:43,690 --> 00:13:48,629
It's called a kick and step
and is one of the oldest basic moves
216
00:13:48,662 --> 00:13:53,834
It's one of the first moves you learn
when you enroll at a hip-hop dancing academy
217
00:13:53,867 --> 00:13:55,769
[Source: YouTube - Mihran TV]
218
00:13:55,802 --> 00:13:57,404
[Source: YouTube - DXTEEN]
219
00:13:57,437 --> 00:13:58,939
[Source: YouTube - SEVENTEEN]
220
00:13:58,939 --> 00:14:01,475
She also claimed
there are similarities between
221
00:14:01,508 --> 00:14:06,813
the choreography of ILLIT's “Lucky Girl Syndrome"
and NewJeans' “Chicken Dance"
222
00:14:06,813 --> 00:14:13,820
We found it ridiculous as we don't reference
other groups' choreographies in ads
223
00:14:14,021 --> 00:14:15,923
[ILLIT] [NewJeans]
[Source: YouTube - mcdonaldkorea]
224
00:14:15,923 --> 00:14:20,460
[ILLIT] [NewJeans]
225
00:14:20,494 --> 00:14:24,064
The structure of that choreography
is completely different
226
00:14:24,064 --> 00:14:25,632
The only similarity
227
00:14:25,666 --> 00:14:29,036
is the hand move
where they rub their hands
228
00:14:29,837 --> 00:14:33,040
We do it during a wave
229
00:14:33,574 --> 00:14:35,742
while they do it along with dance steps
[Source: YouTube - mcdonaldkorea]
230
00:14:35,776 --> 00:14:37,344
They paired it with dance steps
231
00:14:37,377 --> 00:14:39,513
So they do the hand move with steps
232
00:14:39,546 --> 00:14:44,384
while we do it during the chorus
233
00:14:44,418 --> 00:14:46,854
coming down on the side along with a wave
234
00:14:46,987 --> 00:14:50,958
[NewJeans] [ILLIT]
235
00:14:50,958 --> 00:14:55,329
[NewJeans]
[ILLIT]
236
00:14:55,362 --> 00:15:02,369
[ILLIT] [NewJeans]
237
00:15:02,402 --> 00:15:08,008
This hand move serves
as the basics of K-pop choreography
238
00:15:08,041 --> 00:15:10,277
for both boy and girl idol groups
239
00:15:10,310 --> 00:15:12,246
It's a basic move
used with all kinds of variations
240
00:15:12,446 --> 00:15:16,950
[GFRIEND] [NewJeans]
241
00:15:16,950 --> 00:15:18,652
[IZ*ONE] [NewJeans]
[Source: YouTube - Official IZ*ONE]
242
00:15:18,685 --> 00:15:22,990
[IZ*ONE] [NewJeans]
243
00:15:23,023 --> 00:15:24,291
[SUNMI] [NewJeans]
[Source: YouTube - STUDIO CHOOM]
244
00:15:24,324 --> 00:15:27,694
[SUNMI] [NewJeans]
245
00:15:27,794 --> 00:15:30,531
This basically means
every choreography is a copy of another
246
00:15:30,531 --> 00:15:32,533
It would be impossible
to create a truly new choreography
247
00:15:32,566 --> 00:15:36,637
The rhythm and footwork are completely different
248
00:15:36,637 --> 00:15:40,674
To insist on plagiarism
just because of a basic hand move
249
00:15:40,707 --> 00:15:42,509
is stepping over the line
250
00:15:42,509 --> 00:15:47,581
Hair whip is almost always present
in girl group choreographies
251
00:15:47,581 --> 00:15:50,751
as if it's a must
252
00:15:50,751 --> 00:15:55,088
But with a subtle difference
in how it is expressed
253
00:15:55,088 --> 00:15:57,424
you can make it look
stunningly sexy, beautiful
254
00:15:57,424 --> 00:15:59,459
or pure and clean
255
00:15:59,493 --> 00:16:03,297
We intended a “cool, pretty, and stylish" vibe
with the hair whip
256
00:16:03,297 --> 00:16:10,070
along with the following move
where the members nod their heads twice
257
00:16:10,070 --> 00:16:13,173
If you look at the choreography as a whole
it's contextually different
258
00:16:13,173 --> 00:16:16,343
That's why I don't think
this can be considered plagiarism
259
00:16:16,376 --> 00:16:22,616
If you edit certain choreographies
to make them look similar to others
260
00:16:22,616 --> 00:16:26,920
frankly, the same will go
for many of NewJeans' choreographies
261
00:16:26,920 --> 00:16:28,889
[ILLIT - My World]
[NewJeans - Attention]
262
00:16:28,889 --> 00:16:31,525
[Choreography video of Yanis Marshall]
[NewJeans - Attention]
263
00:16:31,525 --> 00:16:33,460
[VIVIZ - BOP BOP!]
[NewJeans - Attention]
264
00:16:33,493 --> 00:16:35,762
[IVE - LOVE DIVE]
[NewJeans - Attention]
265
00:16:36,196 --> 00:16:42,436
Even moves from a Mexican girl group Jeans
266
00:16:42,469 --> 00:16:47,274
can be edited to highlight
the similarity between the two groups
267
00:16:47,474 --> 00:16:50,711
[Jeans] [NewJeans]
268
00:16:50,744 --> 00:16:53,814
[TLC] [NewJeans]
269
00:16:53,847 --> 00:16:59,119
[NMIXX] [NewJeans]
270
00:16:59,119 --> 00:17:03,524
[Jojo Gomez] [NewJeans]
[Source: YouTube - KBS Kpop]
271
00:17:03,524 --> 00:17:12,499
I think their claims are a bit unclear
272
00:17:12,533 --> 00:17:17,371
Do we look at how recently the choreo came out?
273
00:17:17,404 --> 00:17:20,407
Is it okay if the choreo is from a boy group?
274
00:17:20,440 --> 00:17:22,809
What's acceptable and what isn't?
275
00:17:22,843 --> 00:17:28,115
I can't understand how they can accuse us
276
00:17:28,148 --> 00:17:31,351
without a clear point of reference
277
00:17:31,351 --> 00:17:35,689
In legal terms
plagiarism refers to copyright infringement
[Jeon Eungjun / IP lawyer]
278
00:17:35,722 --> 00:17:39,126
or unfair competition deeds
279
00:17:39,126 --> 00:17:40,861
defined in Unfair Competition Prevention Act
280
00:17:40,861 --> 00:17:45,766
But if we keenly observe
the facts in this case
281
00:17:45,799 --> 00:17:48,702
there is no factual evidence
of copyright infringement
282
00:17:48,735 --> 00:17:51,905
meaning there is no substantial similarity
between the two copyrights
283
00:17:51,905 --> 00:17:56,777
From an unfair competition perspective
the most important sign is
284
00:17:56,810 --> 00:18:01,682
whether the act goes against
fair commercial practices or competition
285
00:18:01,715 --> 00:18:06,353
But we very much doubt
whether such a fact can be found in this case
286
00:18:06,386 --> 00:18:10,591
Hence, we believe that no elements
can be concluded as unfair competition
287
00:18:10,591 --> 00:18:12,259
We were the first to appear in a CHANEL event
288
00:18:12,259 --> 00:18:13,961
We thought it'd be unique and fun
289
00:18:13,961 --> 00:18:16,730
Since it was our first appearance
at a luxury brand event
290
00:18:16,763 --> 00:18:19,233
we decided to do our best
and went for it
291
00:18:19,233 --> 00:18:22,302
And wouldn't you know it?
ILLIT did the same
292
00:18:22,336 --> 00:18:24,805
They went to a fashion show of a luxury brand
293
00:18:24,805 --> 00:18:29,109
They are mirroring
294
00:18:29,109 --> 00:18:31,812
the overall flow of our formula
295
00:18:31,845 --> 00:18:33,447
I can't help but think of it as intentional
296
00:18:33,547 --> 00:18:35,015
["'Min Hee Jin's Girl Group,' NewJeans
Makes First Official Appearance at Beauty Brand Event"]
297
00:18:35,015 --> 00:18:36,583
["ILLIT, 'Baby of HYBE' Reveals
Glamorous Pre-debut Schedule"]
298
00:18:36,583 --> 00:18:42,189
I'm not sure what
"production formula" actually means
299
00:18:42,956 --> 00:18:47,494
but she seems to be claiming that
by attending a famous event before their debut
300
00:18:47,494 --> 00:18:50,397
ILLIT is copying NewJeans
301
00:18:50,397 --> 00:18:56,236
All girl groups seek to
collaborate with globally renowned brands
[Choe Yunhyeok / Vice President of BELIFT LAB]
302
00:18:56,270 --> 00:18:59,907
that suit their images well
303
00:18:59,907 --> 00:19:03,977
It's a common marketing strategy
most girl groups prefer
304
00:19:04,011 --> 00:19:06,280
and that included us as well
305
00:19:06,313 --> 00:19:10,484
We were extremely lucky to have received
306
00:19:10,484 --> 00:19:12,819
such an unconventional
and rare proposal from Acne Studios
307
00:19:12,819 --> 00:19:18,859
ILLIT's first official appearance at
a fashion brand is not what was important to us
[Source: Acne Studios]
308
00:19:18,859 --> 00:19:24,198
What was more meaningful to us
was that they represented a famous brand
309
00:19:24,231 --> 00:19:27,634
and were invited to a Fashion Week
before their debut
310
00:19:27,634 --> 00:19:30,604
I think our overall marketing strategy
differs from NewJeans
311
00:19:30,637 --> 00:19:34,708
Their promotional strategy
kept them veiled from the public
312
00:19:34,741 --> 00:19:37,544
until their first official appearance
313
00:19:37,578 --> 00:19:40,814
In contrast, our group was
already familiar to the public
314
00:19:40,814 --> 00:19:44,351
and was invited to a fashion event
as the ambassadors of a brand before debut
315
00:19:44,384 --> 00:19:48,088
This marketing strategy
sets us apart from NewJeans
316
00:19:48,121 --> 00:19:52,292
Also, our debut group
was formed through a survival TV show
317
00:19:57,431 --> 00:20:04,471
The public already knew our members' names
and appearances before their debut
318
00:20:04,471 --> 00:20:11,612
Even after the show
we promoted them through our platform
319
00:20:14,114 --> 00:20:19,419
Allegations of plagiarism against ILLIT
are garnering tremendous attention
320
00:20:19,453 --> 00:20:22,456
and I feel terribly sorry
for such unhealthy attention
321
00:20:22,456 --> 00:20:25,826
I think her purpose and intention were clear
322
00:20:25,826 --> 00:20:30,531
That's why she continued her allegations
323
00:20:30,564 --> 00:20:33,634
despite the lack of evidence and facts
324
00:20:33,634 --> 00:20:36,537
She insists her creations are originals
325
00:20:36,570 --> 00:20:39,306
and despite suspected emulations in her work
326
00:20:39,339 --> 00:20:41,175
she shifts the blame to others
327
00:20:41,208 --> 00:20:46,813
claiming exclusive originality
while framing all subsequent creations as copies
328
00:20:46,847 --> 00:20:50,117
That's Min Hee Jin's longstanding premise
on plagiarism accusations
329
00:20:50,150 --> 00:20:54,188
Likewise, GFRIEND had taken
330
00:20:54,188 --> 00:20:56,957
a hanbok photo shoot before NewJeans
[GFRIEND]
331
00:20:56,957 --> 00:20:59,993
We mentioned countless other
holiday hanbok photo shoots
[tripleS] [LABOUM]
332
00:21:00,027 --> 00:21:03,463
in front of hanoks as examples
[PRISTIN] [DIA]
333
00:21:03,497 --> 00:21:05,766
According to her filed court documents
334
00:21:05,799 --> 00:21:07,901
she now claims that the pastel-colored hanbok
335
00:21:07,935 --> 00:21:11,839
resembles the color of her group's hanbok
[ILLIT] [NewJeans]
336
00:21:11,872 --> 00:21:14,308
It's absurd to consider color
[ILLIT] [NewJeans]
337
00:21:14,341 --> 00:21:16,310
as grounds for plagiarism allegations
338
00:21:16,343 --> 00:21:19,546
I really don't know what to say
339
00:21:19,546 --> 00:21:22,683
If so, we can take NewJeans' video
340
00:21:22,683 --> 00:21:25,319
filmed at Geunjeongjeon Hall as an example
[Source: YouTube - K-Heritage Channel]
341
00:21:25,352 --> 00:21:26,753
[Source: YouTube - K-Heritage Channel]
342
00:21:30,424 --> 00:21:36,363
The video of BTS taken in front of
Geunjeongjeon Hall became an excellent reference
343
00:21:36,396 --> 00:21:41,568
So, can you really say videos
that followed were not affected by them?
344
00:21:42,269 --> 00:21:44,638
There are many similar examples
I want to ask her about
345
00:21:44,638 --> 00:21:48,242
There are many successful examples
that came before us
346
00:21:48,275 --> 00:21:53,547
so our creative work stems from
the further development of such works
347
00:21:53,580 --> 00:21:56,617
Claiming every creation
as her original work doesn't align
348
00:21:56,650 --> 00:21:59,887
with the Copyright Act's purpose
which is the cultural development of humanity
349
00:21:59,920 --> 00:22:02,155
Objectively speaking
350
00:22:02,189 --> 00:22:06,593
she has to be specific
about which exact element is her own creation
351
00:22:06,627 --> 00:22:12,699
but her current claim
seems excessively broad
352
00:22:15,068 --> 00:22:17,771
The growing attention
on ILLIT's alleged plagiarism
353
00:22:17,771 --> 00:22:20,474
has led some to believe
possible plagiarism by NewJeans
[Source: YouTube - Grupo Jeans Official]
354
00:22:21,241 --> 00:22:28,248
[Jeans] [NewJeans]
355
00:22:34,021 --> 00:22:36,523
[SPEED] [NewJeans]
[Source: YouTube - SPEED]
356
00:22:36,557 --> 00:22:41,161
[SPEED] [NewJeans]
357
00:22:41,895 --> 00:22:44,364
[OH MY GIRL] [NewJeans]
358
00:22:44,398 --> 00:22:47,267
[LE SSERAFIM] [NewJeans]
359
00:22:47,267 --> 00:22:49,837
[BLACKPINK] [NewJeans]
360
00:22:49,837 --> 00:22:53,507
[ENHYPEN] [NewJeans]
361
00:22:53,740 --> 00:22:59,346
Still, I don't think
Min Hee Jin copied Jeans or SPEED
362
00:22:59,346 --> 00:23:04,618
And even if she did reference their work
363
00:23:04,618 --> 00:23:06,854
that doesn't belittle Min Hee Jin's creativity
364
00:23:06,887 --> 00:23:11,325
Garnering attention to the plagiarism issue
365
00:23:11,325 --> 00:23:15,295
during the privatization process
of ADOR and NewJeans
366
00:23:15,295 --> 00:23:20,701
makes me concerned
it will end up harming creators in general
367
00:23:20,701 --> 00:23:25,606
ILLIT has been framed as a derivative
who copied and imitated others
368
00:23:25,606 --> 00:23:30,210
Whether it's a fact or not
just being called that
369
00:23:30,210 --> 00:23:33,981
is unreasonable not only for ILLIT members
370
00:23:34,014 --> 00:23:36,984
but also numerous creators
who wholeheartedly put in their efforts
371
00:23:36,984 --> 00:23:42,556
and the staff members at the Label
who worked so hard day and night
372
00:23:42,589 --> 00:23:44,658
In their point of view
all their hard work is being refuted
373
00:23:44,658 --> 00:23:50,931
Claiming plagiarism based on
just one or two moves in a song
374
00:23:50,931 --> 00:23:54,935
will make it difficult for choreographers
to fulfill their creativity going forward
375
00:23:54,968 --> 00:24:00,941
So many experts put their all
into preparing these creations
376
00:24:03,844 --> 00:24:10,450
It was quite disturbing
to see our hard work being discounted
377
00:24:10,484 --> 00:24:14,154
just because a few aspects seemed similar
378
00:24:15,289 --> 00:24:19,226
[Members cheerfully engage themselves
in the filming even after sunset]
379
00:24:20,494 --> 00:24:22,896
This has been ILLIT!
380
00:24:22,896 --> 00:24:25,098
Thank you!
381
00:24:25,132 --> 00:24:26,733
So pretty!
382
00:24:27,301 --> 00:24:32,372
Showcasing each and every member of ILLIT
in the best light
383
00:24:32,372 --> 00:24:35,075
was the most important mission for me
384
00:24:35,075 --> 00:24:39,012
What made me feel so sorry and heartbroken
when this issue arose
385
00:24:39,046 --> 00:24:44,518
and what concerned me the most
was the issue overshadowing ILLIT's charms
386
00:24:45,118 --> 00:24:47,254
Guess where we are now!
[Source: YouTube - M2]
387
00:24:47,287 --> 00:24:50,123
-We're at the debut show studio! Wow!
-Yay!
[Recording Studio for ILLIT's Title Track "Magnetic"]
388
00:24:50,157 --> 00:24:52,092
-This stage is just for us!
-Yeah, it is
389
00:24:52,125 --> 00:24:53,894
I just can't believe it
390
00:24:53,927 --> 00:24:55,162
-Wow
-Wow
391
00:24:55,195 --> 00:24:57,264
-This is totally ILLIT!
-Yeah
[ILLIT is amazed at the stage set just for them]
392
00:24:57,431 --> 00:24:59,399
[Beautiful memories etched in photos]
393
00:25:00,100 --> 00:25:01,034
[LOL]
394
00:25:01,068 --> 00:25:03,270
-Let's kill the stage, everyone
-Let's go for it / -Yeah
395
00:25:03,270 --> 00:25:06,240
"Magnetic," fighting
396
00:25:06,273 --> 00:25:08,442
It takes hard work
397
00:25:08,475 --> 00:25:11,245
When I accompany them on set
I realize what they're going through
398
00:25:11,245 --> 00:25:17,651
Well, they should enjoy the stage most of all
["ILLIT WONHEE Sits Out Campus Festival Due to Health Issues"]
399
00:25:17,651 --> 00:25:21,555
Wanting to avoid the stage out of fear
of the audience's responses
["Malicious Comments to Blame?
ILLIT WONHEE Sits Out Due to Health Issues"]
400
00:25:21,588 --> 00:25:25,659
is an experience our members don't deserve
["Malicious Comments to Blame?
ILLIT WONHEE Sits Out Due to Health Issues"]
401
00:25:25,692 --> 00:25:27,594
an experience our members don't deserve
[Stop acting like victims, imitation ILLIT!]
[Get out, Copycat NewJeans!]
402
00:25:27,628 --> 00:25:30,597
And now, there are malicious comments everywhere
[Imitation ILLIT!] [Mimicking NewJeans!]
[Even Min Hee Jin agreed they're Copycat NewJeans]
403
00:25:30,631 --> 00:25:32,566
I'm concerned about the malicious comments getting to them
[Derivative is too nice of a word, they're just copycats]
[Even Min Hee Jin confirmed they copied NewJeans]
404
00:25:32,599 --> 00:25:37,471
because they haven't done anything wrong
[Get out, Fake NewJeans! The real NewJeans will make a comeback!]
[They're practically like a copy machine] [Just roll back their debut]
405
00:25:37,504 --> 00:25:40,340
[March 25, 2024, ILLIT's Debut]
[April 25, 2024, Min Hee Jin's Press Conference]
406
00:25:40,374 --> 00:25:42,109
-Can you please introduce yourself?
-All right
[May 31, 2024, Min Hee Jin's Second Press Conference]
407
00:25:42,109 --> 00:25:44,745
Hello, this is Min Hee Jin
[May 31, 2024, Min Hee Jin's Second Press Conference]
408
00:25:44,745 --> 00:25:49,116
It seems like this issue took a toll
on ILLIT and LE SSERAFIM
409
00:25:49,149 --> 00:25:52,452
Is there anything
you'd like to say to them?
410
00:25:52,486 --> 00:25:55,489
Actually, I think that everyone
including the press
411
00:25:55,489 --> 00:25:59,459
must stop bringing this up
for everyone to be at peace
412
00:25:59,459 --> 00:26:01,895
We must stop talking about this
413
00:26:01,895 --> 00:26:07,734
Continuously bringing this up and asking me
whether I'm hurting them or not will cause more damage
414
00:26:07,734 --> 00:26:10,103
I didn't start this fight
415
00:26:10,103 --> 00:26:14,541
President Min Hee Jin's second press conference
was held not long ago
416
00:26:14,575 --> 00:26:17,544
At the press conference
she said she no longer wanted to
417
00:26:17,544 --> 00:26:20,280
bring up other artists
418
00:26:20,314 --> 00:26:21,815
shifting the blame to the press
419
00:26:21,815 --> 00:26:25,152
She said the press has to stay silent
420
00:26:25,152 --> 00:26:30,090
A lot of thoughts crossed my mind
when I heard that
421
00:26:30,123 --> 00:26:33,060
because she had repeatedly claimed
422
00:26:33,060 --> 00:26:37,097
that ILLIT's existence itself was aimed to
infringe NewJeans' brand
423
00:26:37,130 --> 00:26:39,499
even after the first press conference
424
00:26:39,499 --> 00:26:42,336
The media is not at fault
425
00:26:42,336 --> 00:26:44,304
It's her own doing
426
00:26:44,304 --> 00:26:47,875
But she feigned innocence
427
00:26:47,908 --> 00:26:50,811
and blamed the general public, YouTubers
428
00:26:50,844 --> 00:26:54,681
and journalists for the noise
429
00:26:54,715 --> 00:26:59,086
She inflicted a preemptive attack
and then suddenly called it quits
430
00:26:59,086 --> 00:27:01,922
But how can we stop
what she has already started?
431
00:27:01,955 --> 00:27:04,525
Only after she distinguishes
the right from wrong regarding the issue
432
00:27:04,525 --> 00:27:06,159
can the victims be at peace
433
00:27:06,159 --> 00:27:10,797
And those who are at fault
must pay for what they did wrong
434
00:27:10,831 --> 00:27:14,668
Only afterward can we hold
further discussions on what to do
435
00:27:14,701 --> 00:27:19,673
[ILLIT's debut mini album "SUPER REAL ME" is the culmination
of contribution and participation from the following staff members
BELIFT LAB will spare no effort to restore your honor]
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