Belift Lab
South Korean entertainment company
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Belift Lab, Inc.[3] (Korean: 주식회사 빌리프랩) is a South Korean record label, founded as a joint venture between Hybe and CJ ENM on September 17, 2018. In 2023, Hybe acquired full ownership, making Belift Lab a subsidiary while allowing it to operate independently within Hybe's multi-label system.[5] The label currently manages boy group Enhypen, girl group Illit, and soloist Evan.
| |
Native name | 주식회사 빌리프랩 |
|---|---|
| Type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | September 17, 2018[1] |
| Headquarters | |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Key people | Kim Tae-ho (CEO and president)[2] |
| Services |
|
| Revenue |  ₩154.71 billion (US$135.24 million) (2025[3]) |
| ₩38.31 billion (US$33.49 million) (2025[3]) | |
| Total assets | ₩153.15 billion (US$133.88 million) (2025[3]) |
| Total equity | ₩59.78 billion (US$52.26 million) (2025[3]) |
Number of employees | 88 (2025[4]) |
| Parent | Hybe Corporation[a][1] |
| Website | beliftlab |
History
2018–2020: Founding and early years
Belift Lab was established on September 17, 2018, as a collaboration between Hybe and CJ ENM to develop K-pop artists for a global audience.[5] In March 2019, the company launched international auditions for male trainees aimed at debuting a new idol group in 2020. Auditions were held in South Korea, the United States, Japan, and other regions.
In 2020, Belift Lab co-produced the survival reality show I-Land with Mnet and CJ ENM. Trainees competed for a place in the final lineup through missions and evaluations, with fan voting incorporated globally.[6]
Seven trainees, Jungwon, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-Ki were selected to form Enhypen in September 2020 and debuted in November.[7]
2021–present: Hybe acquisition and new projects
In August 2023, Hybe purchased CJ ENM's 51.5% stake in Belift Lab for 150 billion won (~$113.8 million), finalizing the acquisition on September 1, 2023, making Belift Lab a wholly owned Hybe subsidiary.[1]
That year, Belift Lab partnered with JTBC to produce the survival audition program R U Next? to select members for its first girl group, Illit. Initially six members were chosen; one, Youngseo, later departed before the group's March 2024 debut.[8]
Philanthropy
Artists
Controversies
Plagiarism dispute with Min Hee-jin
In 2024, Min Hee-jin, then CEO of ADOR, claimed that Illit bore strong similarities to NewJeans. Belift Lab filed a ₩2 billion defamation lawsuit against her, citing reputational and financial harm.[12]
Stalking and privacy concerns
In March 2025, Belift Lab reported illegal stalking incidents targeting Enhypen members and began taking legal action.[13]
Lawsuit against Team Bunnies
In December 2025, Belift Lab sued Team Bunnies, a NewJeans fan group, for defamation of Illit and unauthorized sharing of internal materials, seeking ₩100 million in damages.[14]
Filmography
Notes
- since 2023