Agency

Belift Lab Inc.

빌리프랩 / BELIFT LAB

Belift Lab is a South Korean entertainment agency and record label established in 2018 as a joint venture between CJ ENM (52%) and Big Hit Entertainment (48%). It became a wholly owned subsidiary of HYBE in August 2023, when HYBE bought out CJ ENM's 51.5% stake. Belift Lab produced the survival show I-LAND (2020), debuted ENHYPEN (2020) and ILLIT (2024), and also manages soloist Evan.

  • Agency
  • Record Label

Overview

Belift Lab is a South Korean entertainment company founded in 2018 as a joint venture between CJ ENM and Big Hit Entertainment. The label produced the Mnet survival show I-LAND in 2020, which formed its first boy group ENHYPEN, and later launched the girl group ILLIT in 2024.

In August 2023, HYBE acquired CJ ENM’s entire 51.5% stake, making Belift Lab a wholly owned HYBE subsidiary. Headquartered in HYBE’s Yongsan building in Seoul, the label currently manages ENHYPEN, ILLIT and soloist Evan, the former ENHYPEN vocalist Heeseung.

Timeline

Belift Lab established The company is set up as a joint venture between CJ ENM (52%) and Big Hit Entertainment (48%); the partnership was announced in August 2018.
September 17, 2018
I-LAND premieres on Mnet The survival competition co-produced with CJ ENM airs from June 26 to September 18, 2020 and selects the seven members of ENHYPEN.
June 26, 2020
ENHYPEN debuts Belift Lab's first boy group debuts with the EP Border : Day One, the best-selling debut by a K-pop group in 2020.
November 30, 2020
HYBE takes full ownership HYBE acquires CJ ENM's entire 51.5% stake, making Belift Lab a wholly owned HYBE subsidiary.
August 10, 2023
ILLIT debuts Belift Lab's first girl group, formed through the show R U Next?, debuts with the EP Super Real Me.
March 25, 2024
Heeseung leaves ENHYPEN, stays as soloist Belift Lab announces Heeseung's departure from ENHYPEN; he remains with the label and debuts as soloist Evan on June 22, 2026.
March 10, 2026

Facts

Belift Lab was founded in 2018 as a joint venture in which CJ ENM initially held about 52% and Big Hit Entertainment 48%.
July 8, 2026
On August 10, 2023, HYBE acquired CJ ENM's entire 51.5% stake in Belift Lab, turning the label into a wholly owned HYBE subsidiary.
July 8, 2026
The label's official site lists three artists: ENHYPEN, ILLIT and Evan (former ENHYPEN member Heeseung, solo since June 2026).
July 8, 2026
Belift Lab is led by CEO Kim Tae-ho and is headquartered in HYBE's building at 42 Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
July 8, 2026

Notable Events

ILLIT/NewJeans plagiarism dispute ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin publicly claimed that ILLIT copied NewJeans "from music to style". Belift Lab denied plagiarism and pursued legal action, and a subsequent court case dismissed the plagiarism claims.
April 22, 2024
Heeseung departs ENHYPEN Belift Lab announces that Heeseung is leaving ENHYPEN, citing his distinct musical direction after discussions with all members; he stays with the label and later debuts solo as Evan. ENHYPEN continues as a six-member group.
March 10, 2026