ILLIT’s Troubling Condition Exposed By Alleged Former Staff In Heartbreaking Post

An alleged former staff member has sparked concern after sharing claims about the impact online hate had on ILLIT following their 2024 debut.

| BELIFT LAB

In a post that was first uploaded to Weibo, the staff member described the emotional toll the criticism took on the group, stating that members were repeatedly targeted online, both domestically and internationally.

| Billboard Korea

According to the post, while the situation has reportedly improved recently, the prolonged backlash led to serious emotional distress.

I personally feel that whether it’s overseas or in China, they have been getting scolded online. It’s gotten better recently, but they’ve gotten scolded so much that they have become depressed.

It’s even gotten to the point where a member who’s really young felt so miserable that she had heart pains and missed events.

— Former HYBE staff

After the post was shared on X, it quickly spread among fans, prompting strong reactions.

| BELIFT LAB

Many linked the alleged staff member’s comments to the highly publicized conflict between former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin and BELIFT LAB, ILLIT’s agency.

I’ll never forgive #that group and their pedo ceo https://t.co/iD5Qe6M0YF

— Brit (@flolikelararaj) December 27, 2025

MIN HOE JIN WHEN I FIND YOU BITCH https://t.co/G2JZWj5eDb pic.twitter.com/3X9DoNsZFi

— zu . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ 🫐 (@pledizgirlss) December 28, 2025

Following ILLIT’s debut with “Magnetic,” Min Hee Jin publicly accused the group of copying NewJeans’ concept, a claim that intensified hostility between fandoms and placed heavy scrutiny on the newly debuted members.

Report Suggests Min Hee Jin Accused ILLIT Of Plagiarism Solely To Sway Public Opinion, Gets Hit With Massive Backlash

At the time, several ILLIT members were minors — with ages ranging from 14 to 17 — while the oldest members were 19. Fans argue that the group’s young age made them particularly vulnerable to sustained online criticism.

other groups can look back at their debut era and feel joy. my girls will NEVER have that.pic.twitter.com/4qrrkf9hQr https://t.co/HtANnpdIcI

— ً (@ilitzs) December 28, 2025

At that time, Iroha was 14, Wonhee 15, Moka 17, and Minju and Yunah 19. Young girls, yet that woman showed them no mercy, turning their dreams to ashes. Today, our role is clear: we support them, defend them, and share their songs so their voices remain present despite the haters https://t.co/WIrWVdyh3A pic.twitter.com/8zkCg6bmVR

— ✈️ (@VgjvMm) December 28, 2025

The alleged staff member’s statement could reignite conversations about the pressure placed on rookie idols and the long-term effects of online harassment, especially when directed at underage stars.