Friday, February 20, 2026

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'This looks similar...' V and Min Heejin's Kakao Talk messages submitted as evidence in the 'ILLIT-NewJeans copy allegations' trial

SOURCE: "이거 비슷한데…" 뷔-민희진 카톡, '아일릿-뉴진스 카피 의혹' 재판 증거 됐다

While former ADOR CEO Min Heejin won the 26 billion KRW legal battle against HYBE, a Kakao Talk message from BTS' V is included in the court ruling, drawing attention.

On the 12th, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of Min Heejin in the lawsuit she filed against HYBE. The court recognized the exercise of her 'put option' and ordered HYBE to pay approximately 25.5 billion KRW.

According to the first trial verdict obtained by this paper on the 20th, the court judged that HYBE was the one who first spread the conflict to the public through media play. Also, the court determined that Min Heejin's suspicions of ILLIT copying NewJeans was an expression of opinion rather than defamation.

Notably, the court drew attention as they accepted the Kakao Talk message between V and Min Heejin as evidence. In the messages, V reportedly said, "(People always talk about plagiarism, it never stops) Sigh... I know right. I also saw it and thought 'this looks similar...'"

Previously, V had asked Min Heejin to be the head producer for his first solo album, Layover, released in 2023. At the time, Big Hit Music stated that at V's request, Min Heejin led the entire production, including music, choreography, design, and promotions.

Later, after Min Heejin's injunction against HYBE was dismissed in 2024, she appeared on the Youtube channel 'Kim Youngdae's School of Music,' where she shared, "V occasionally contacts me from the military," adding, " Since I've been going through this situation, he asked me if I was okay."

Meanwhile, HYBE filed an appeal on the 19th and is continuing to fight the court's decision.