What Happened to Belift Lab Inc.?
Belift Lab is a South Korean entertainment company, initially established in 2018 as a joint venture between HYBE Corporation (formerly Big Hit Entertainment) and CJ ENM. It is home to popular K-pop groups ENHYPEN and ILLIT, and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of HYBE in August 2023. The company has recently navigated controversies, including plagiarism allegations against ILLIT and the departure of ENHYPEN member Heeseung (now solo artist EVAN) in early 2026, while continuing to expand its artist IP and global reach.
Quick Answer
Belift Lab, a subsidiary of HYBE Corporation, continues to manage its prominent K-pop groups ENHYPEN and ILLIT as of August 2026. The company recently saw the departure of ENHYPEN member Heeseung, who rebranded as EVAN and debuted as a solo artist under Belift Lab in June 2026, with his first EP slated for September 2026. Belift Lab has also been active in legal actions against malicious online posters and held auditions for new music producers, despite facing past controversies regarding artist management and plagiarism allegations.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Belift Lab Founded
Belift Lab Inc. was officially established as a joint venture between Big Hit Entertainment (now HYBE Corporation) and CJ ENM, with a capital of KRW 7 billion.
I-LAND Survival Show Begins
Mnet announced the survival competition series 'I-LAND,' a global artist development project that would lead to the formation of Belift Lab's first boy group.
ENHYPEN Debuts
The seven-member boy group ENHYPEN, formed through 'I-LAND,' officially debuted with their extended play (EP) 'Border: Day One.'
HYBE Acquires Full Control of Belift Lab
HYBE Corporation acquired CJ ENM's remaining 51.5% stake in Belift Lab for 150 billion won ($113.8 million USD), making it a wholly-owned subsidiary.
ILLIT Formation Announced
The final lineup for Belift Lab's new girl group, ILLIT, was formed through the JTBC audition program 'R U Next?'.
ILLIT Debuts
Belift Lab's five-member girl group ILLIT officially debuted.
Plagiarism Allegations Against ILLIT
ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin publicly accused ILLIT of plagiarizing concepts from her group, NewJeans, sparking a major controversy within the K-pop industry.
Global Producer Audition Announced
Belift Lab announced the '2025 Next New Creator with BELIFT LAB,' a global audition seeking visionary music producers specializing in pop genres.
Privacy Policy Revision Effective
A revised Privacy Policy for Belift Lab became effective, updating content related to personal information processing and consignment.
Legal Action Against Malicious Posters
HYBE and Belift Lab initiated an international legal campaign against an overseas individual accused of spreading false information about their artists online.
Heeseung Departs ENHYPEN, Goes Solo as EVAN
Belift Lab announced that Heeseung would be leaving ENHYPEN to pursue a solo career under the agency, rebranding as EVAN. ENHYPEN continued as a six-member group.
EVAN Solo Debut
EVAN (formerly Heeseung) made his solo debut with the digital single 'Ride or Die,' which topped iTunes charts in nine regions.
HYBE's 2026 Producer Audition
HYBE announced its '2026 HYBE Next New Creator' audition, with successful candidates having the opportunity to work for various HYBE labels, including Belift Lab.
EVAN's First EP Announced
Belift Lab announced that EVAN's first solo EP, 'Death of Me,' is scheduled for release on September 7, 2026, with pre-orders opening and international promotional activities planned.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Belift Lab Inc. was founded on September 17, 2018, as a strategic joint venture between Big Hit Entertainment (now HYBE Corporation) and CJ ENM, aiming to innovate the K-pop label business by nurturing globally-targeted idol groups. The company's first major project was the survival competition show 'I-LAND,' which aired in 2020 and led to the formation of its highly successful boy band, ENHYPEN. ENHYPEN officially debuted on November 30, 2020, quickly establishing themselves as a prominent K-pop act.
A significant turning point for Belift Lab occurred on August 10, 2023, when HYBE Corporation acquired CJ ENM's remaining 51.5% stake for 150 billion won (approximately $113.8 million USD), making Belift Lab a fully-owned subsidiary. This acquisition was part of HYBE's strategy to strengthen its multi-label system and expand its content and artist portfolio. Following this, Belift Lab debuted its first girl group, ILLIT, in March 2024, formed through the JTBC audition program 'R U Next?'.
However, 2024 and 2025 brought challenges. In April 2024, ILLIT became embroiled in a public controversy when ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin accused the group of plagiarizing concepts from her group, NewJeans. Belift Lab responded to these allegations in June 2024, attempting to refute the claims, which drew further criticism from netizens. The company also faced scrutiny over its internal operations, with some former employees describing the environment as disorganized and chaotic, leading to fan concerns about artist management.
The year 2026 has been particularly eventful. In January, HYBE and Belift Lab initiated international legal action against an overseas individual for allegedly spreading false information about their artists, demonstrating a proactive stance against online defamation. A major development occurred on March 10, 2026, when Belift Lab announced that Heeseung would be departing ENHYPEN to pursue a solo career under the agency, rebranding as EVAN. This decision, while officially framed as respecting his distinct musical vision, sparked significant fan outrage and speculation about potential mismanagement and overworking of artists, leading to petitions for the CEO's resignation.
Despite these controversies, Belift Lab continues to operate and expand its artist activities. EVAN made his solo debut with the digital single 'Ride or Die' in June 2026, which achieved international chart success. As of August 2026, EVAN is preparing to release his first solo EP, 'Death of Me,' on September 7, 2026, with promotional activities including appearances at the Grammy Museum and KCON LA. Belift Lab also participated in HYBE's '2026 Next New Creator' audition, seeking new music producers to contribute to its labels. Financially, Belift Lab reported ₩154.7 billion in revenue and ₩49.9 billion in operating profit in 2025, with a healthy operating margin of 32.2%. The company's current status reflects its ongoing efforts to manage its established groups, support new solo ventures, and navigate the complexities of the global K-pop industry under the HYBE multi-label system.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Belift Lab Inc. made different choices?