Belift Lab
 | |
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 |
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.
History
[edit]2018–2020: Founding and early years
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]On November 20, 2025, Belift Lab and Enhypen donated ₩100 million to support flood relief efforts in the Philippines following back-to-back typhoons.[9]
Artists
[edit]Current artists
[edit]Former artists
[edit]Controversies
[edit]Plagiarism dispute with Min Hee-jin
[edit]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
[edit]In March 2025, Belift Lab reported illegal stalking incidents targeting Enhypen members and began taking legal action.[13]
Lawsuit against Team Bunnies
[edit]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
[edit]Reality shows
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ↑ since 2023
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "HYBE fully acquires K-pop agency Belift Lab from CJ ENM". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. August 10, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
- ↑ Stassen, Murray (April 11, 2025). "Taeho Kim, HYBE COO and BELIFT LAB President, talks ENHYPEN, ILLIT, Coachella, and superfans". Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved September 2, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "DART - Repository of Korea's Corporate Filings". English DART. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ↑ "2026 Audit filing - DART - Repository of Korea's Corporate Filings". englishdart.fss.or.kr. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- 1 2 Frater, Patrick (August 10, 2023). "Enhypen-Backer Belift Lab Acquired by K-Pop Giant Hybe". Variety. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
- ↑ "BTS' label launch talent show to find next K-pop superstar". The Independent. May 25, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ↑ "ENHYPEN to debut on Nov. 30 - The Korea Times". www.koreatimes.co.kr. October 28, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
- ↑ Yoo, Hong (January 7, 2024). "Hybe's new girl group I'll-It to debut as 5-piece without Youngseo". The Korea Herald. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
- ↑ Hicap, Jonathan (November 20, 2025). "K-pop idol group ENHYPEN, agency Belift Lab to donate P4 million to PH's flood relief efforts". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ↑ Yap, Jade Veronique (March 12, 2026). "BeLift Lab releases statement anew following Heeseung's departure from Enhypen". GMA News Online. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
- ↑ "[E-Photo] ALLDAY PROJECT's YOUNGSEO, 'From the debut group of ILLIT'". sbsstar.net. June 23, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ↑ Ziwei, Puah (May 23, 2024). "ILLIT's agency Belift Lab sues Min Hee-hin for defamation amid HYBE-ADOR feud". NME. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
- ↑ CHOSUNBIZ (March 5, 2025). "Enhypen reports illegal stalking incidents as police investigations begin". Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ↑ Seung-ku, Lee (December 15, 2025). "Belift Lab sues NewJeans fan group, citing defamation of Illit". The Korea Herald. Retrieved January 3, 2026.