Source Music has firmly refuted NJZ’s allegations that HYBE treated them unfairly compared to fellow label mate LE SSERAFIM, calling the group’s claims “irresponsible and serious misconduct.”
On the afternoon of March 7, LE SSERAFIM’s agency, Source Music, issued an official statement via its social media platforms. “We would like to clarify and correct the misinformation regarding our agency and our artists that has been raised today,” the statement read.
Earlier that day, during a hearing at the Seoul Central District Court concerning ADOR’s injunction request against NJZ members to prevent them from signing contracts with other agencies, NJZ’s legal representatives claimed that various issues—including media manipulation by HYBE, allegations of plagiarism by ILLIT exclusion of NJZ from major plans, and conflicts with external partners—had all intensified between 2023 and 2024.
NJZ’s representatives further asserted that no other group under HYBE’s labels had faced such challenges, specifically pointing to discriminatory treatment compared to LE SSERAFIM. “HYBE initially planned for NJZ to debut as the company’s first girl group. This expectation played a key role in Min Hee Jin joining HYBE,” they stated. “However, after NJZ completed their debut evaluation in March 2021, HYBE neglected them until September of the same year. Meanwhile, Source Music recruited Sakura, Kim Chaewon, and Huh Yunjin and debuted LE SSERAFIM first without any prior explanation.”
Additionally, NJZ’s representatives claimed that discrimination extended to the “brand ambassador selection process.” “Hyein was chosen as the ambassador for a specific brand, but later, LE SSERAFIM was also appointed as ambassadors for the same brand without prior consultation with NJZ,” they argued. “Upon verification, the brand admitted that HYBE had directly requested this and assumed that NJZ had been informed in advance. They subsequently apologized for the misunderstanding.”
Responding to these claims, Source Music stated, “LE SSERAFIM did not receive any preferential treatment or unfair advantages in the process of being appointed as brand ambassadors. The relationship with the brand began in April 2022 when Sakura signed an individual contract with them. The brand was satisfied with the collaboration, which led to discussions about expanding the partnership to the entire group through the Japanese branch of the brand. This process was entirely independent and had no connection to any other artist.”
The agency also emphasized that they possess “objective evidence” to support their claims and are prepared to provide legal explanations as necessary. Addressing NJZ’s allegations regarding their debut process, Source Music countered, “Until the transition of NJZ members to ADOR was finalized, we provided full support for their debut preparations. Despite this, Min Hee Jin spread false information during a press conference in April last year. To correct these fabrications, we filed a damages lawsuit against her in July, which is currently ongoing.”
Expressing their strong disapproval of NJZ’s statements, Source Music added, “We deeply regret that such one-sided claims have been made without any effort to verify the facts. We expect the ongoing legal proceedings to rectify these baseless allegations.”
The agency particularly condemned the mention of LE SSERAFIM during the hearing, stating, “Publicly naming an artist based on unverified and inaccurate claims is an irresponsible and serious act that should never happen to any artist. Such unilateral allegations not only subject fellow artists to unwarranted criticism but also mislead fans and the public, fostering an environment where baseless accusations can thrive.”
Concluding their statement, Source Music reaffirmed, “We take this situation extremely seriously and will take all necessary legal actions to set the record straight.”
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