ILLIT's outfits for their debut teaser are speculated to have been copied from a Korean online shopping mall.

On May 23, 2024, a post, titled "ILLIT's outfit, plagiarized from an online shopping mall?", was shared with one of the most well-known South Korean online community forums TheQoo.

The original poster included ILLIT's debut teasers in the post. In the teasers, all the girls are wearing long-sleeved white mocknecks with denim skirts. They paired the outfit with long white socks and Mary Janes.

For their hair, some members wore their hair in braided pigtails or ponytails.

#ILLIT ‘SUPER REAL ME’ Concept Photo (REAL ME Ver.)#아일릿 #SUPER_REAL_ME #REAL_ME pic.twitter.com/jcdhztkm0J

— BELIFT LAB (@BELIFTLAB) March 5, 2024

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: ILLIT Wonhee Reveals How She Was Street Cast: 'Thought It Was A Scam...'  

At the time, there was no controversy surrounding these outfits. People loved their mystical, ethereal Y2K concept, with people becoming more excited for their debut.

#ILLIT ‘SUPER REAL ME’ Concept Photo (REAL ME Ver.)#아일릿 #SUPER_REAL_ME #REAL_ME pic.twitter.com/eCf4R5Pdmj

— BELIFT LAB (@BELIFTLAB) March 5, 2024

Now, however, people suspect BELIFT Lab copied the idea of ILLIT's outfits from a Korean online shopping mall.

In November 2022, PLZPROJECT released ads to their Instagram account. In the posts, models are seen wearing nearly identical outfits to ILLIT; they are also seen wearing long-sleeved white turtlenecks with denim mini-skirts and high socks. The main difference is the hoes, with some wearing boots.

A post shared by instagram

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: THIS ILLIT Idol Rushed to Hospital Amid Online Attack - Netizens Explode with Anger 

It was noted that even the hairstyles are similar. In PLZPROJECT's posts, the girls are seen in braided ponytails.

A post shared by instagram

The blame is being put on Heu Serian, ILLIT's visual director. The poster noted that while she has an impressive resume - she has worked for Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and Dazed - there is no mention of working for a shopping mall in her career history. Therefore, it is believed she stole the idea from PLZPROJECT.

Korean netizens who saw the post couldn't help but agree. People believe it was way too similar for it to be a coincidence. Besides the outfits and hairstyles, the location of PLZPROJECT's posts and ILLIT's debut teasers were also too similar; both had the people in the photos posing in the street.

CHECK THIS OUT: Belift Lab's Legal Action Raises Questions - 'Are They Seriously Favoring ILLIT Over EHYPEN?' 

With that, people believe this is more proof of ILLIT's plagiarism.

Some comments read,

• "The fact that they copied from artists under the same label already shows their lack of sincerity."
• "It is way too similar."
• "Even if their outfits looked similar, the way their hair is styled really gave it away."
• "It isn't just the simple white shirt and jean skirt. From the hair to the asphalt road, to the background, it is all the same."
• "Even the hair and background are similar..."
• "They didn't just reference; they straight-up copied."
• "Their hair, outfit, socks, shoes, asphalt road..."
• "Heu Serian, leave an explanation on your Instagram."
• "It's honestly the same."

What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below!

KpopStarz Owns This

Written by Alexa Lopez