Belift Lab, Inc. () 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.
The label currently manages boy group Enhypen, girl group Illit, and soloist Evan.
History 2018–2020: Founding and early years Belift Lab was established on September 17, 2018, as a collaboration by then Big Hit Entertainment and CJ ENM to develop K-pop artists for a global audience. 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.
Seven trainees, Jungwon, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-Ki were selected to form Enhypen in September 2020 and debuted in November.
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.
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.
On March 10, 2026 Belift Lab announced that Heeseung would be leaving Enhypen to pursue a solo career while remaining with the label. On April 8, Belift announced that Heeseung would change his stage name from his birth name "Heeseung" to "Evan", a name he has used since childhood.
Philanthropy On November 20, 2025, Belift Lab and Enhypen donated ₩100 million to support flood relief efforts in the Philippines following back-to-back typhoons.
Artists Current artists Enhypen Illit Evan
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.
Stalking and privacy concerns In March 2025, Belift Lab reported illegal stalking incidents targeting Enhypen members and began taking legal action.
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.
Filmography Reality shows I-Land (2020, Mnet) R U Next? (2023, JTBC)
Notes
References
External links Official website