Plagiarism accusations are currently surrounding ILLIT, as the group has been gaining coverage and traction online for similarities to NewJeans in terms of concept, music, aesthetics, and more. Amid the ongoing fiasco, Korean media has brought experts onto the scene to relay their thoughts on the matter .
On May 13, Korean news outlet Sports Kyunghyang released a report, which discussed the groups' comparison.
The report first disclosed how ILLIT and NewJeans resemble each other when it came to poses, vibes, and concepts. It explained that ILLIT and NewJeans are also under the same multi-label, are both five-membered groups, and have songs with similar fast-paced music.
It also mentioned the similarities of their choreography, dreamy concept, and instant appearances at fashion brand events during debuts.
It then moved on to the comparisons between their albums, and according to the report, experts in the music field agreed with the similarities. One expert stated, "The core of an idol is the concept, and if the overall concept is similar, even if the details are different, it can be considered infringement."
Another representative of a music agency shared, "Regardless of the group's similarity if a group with a similar concept within the same parent company debuted in March and is promoting in April, while the other comes back in May, it's just a scheduling error regardless of the intention."
The report also shared that other industry experts claim that ILLIT has been "significantly influenced" by NewJeans. Experts also imparted that young people, who are the target consumers of K-pop, have raised the similarities in concept.
"Parody and homage can be allowed in creative work, but I think the act of invading pure originality should be criticized," an anonymous visual artist stated. "If you compare the fonts and artwork of NewJeans and ILLIT's albums, I think infringes the unique efforts of the creators."
The expert continued, "This is a result that is enough to resonate with both the public and those who create."
Meanwhile, a brand marketing manager shared that the problem didn't simply come from having similar concepts, and claimed that "tracing" NewJeans' formula to success was involved in the process.
"I think this controversy between these groups is more than just a similar concept," the expert shared. "ILLIT seems to also replicate NewJeans' formula to success through tracing."
It continued, "I can't help but feel like NewJeans' success formula was copied from 1 to 10, to the Y2K theme, to the fresh aura of being teenagers, to the dreamy pastel visuals, and HYBE's marketing strategies."
"HYBE seems to be in a hurry to blindly follow the formula for success, abandoning the pride and conscience that a creator should have," it followed. "It's worrisome that such behavior can be linked to the K-pop industry's creative ethics, it isn't just ILLIT."
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Written by Israel Monte
