Songwriters Sue HYBE Over NewJeans' 'How Sweet' Alleging Stolen Demo Elements

Two songwriters claim HYBE and NewJeans lifted elements from their rejected demo for the hit song 'How Sweet'—now they're taking legal action.

Songwriters Sue HYBE Over NewJeans' 'How Sweet' Alleging Stolen Demo Elements

Breaking: A legal firestorm has erupted as two songwriters filed suit against HYBE, the powerhouse behind K-pop sensation NewJeans, alleging their rejected demo was used without permission in the group's hit track 'How Sweet.' Court documents obtained by AI Music Daily reveal explosive claims of intellectual property theft at the highest levels of the K-pop industry.

The Allegations: A Demo Gone Wrong

The plaintiffs submitted a demo to HYBE's creative team in early 2023
Received feedback that their 'topline was liked but wouldn't be used'
Allege key melodic and rhythmic elements appeared in NewJeans' final release

Industry Reactions: Shockwaves Through K-pop

Music legal experts we spoke to say this case could set precedent for how labels handle unsolicited demos. 'This isn't just about one song,' notes entertainment attorney David Kim. 'It's about systemic protections for creators in the hyper-competitive K-pop machine.'

HYBE has yet to respond to our request for comment. The lawsuit seeks damages and credits on the track, which has amassed over 200 million streams globally.