Amid Shawols' excitement about SHINee Taemin's comeback, the soloist was suddenly accused by ARMYs of plagiarizing BTS Jimin's hits.
On August 16, the "Ace of K-pop" Taemin teased fans with his much-awaited solo comeback through the music video teaser of his title track, "Sexy In The Air."
According to his agency BPM, this is one of the double title tracks from his fifth mini-album, "ETERNAL," set for release on August 19.
In the teaser, viewers can feel Taemin's confident gaze and see his captivating visuals. Here, the icon also shows off his sophisticated dance and gestures, capturing his identity as a soloist.
The "ETERNAL" tracklist was also released. A total of seven tracks, the album features double title songs "Sexy In The Air" and "Horizon," and b-sides "G.O.A.T.," "The Unknown Sea," "Crush," "Deja Vu," and "Say Less."
This is a special album; aside from being his first release after leaving SM Entertainment, it also marks his complete participation in the entire process, from planning to filming the MV.
ALSO READ : SHINee Taemin Solo Lightstick Revealed — Here's the Design's 'Symbolism' You Might Have Missed
Shawols and Taemates (fandom) showed solid support for the idol by leaving rave reviews for the teaser. However, under the video are comments accusing him of plagiarizing BTS Jimin.
ARMYs alleged that Taemin's MV teaser for "Sexy In The Air" was like the knockoff version of Jimin's "Like Crazy" and "Set Me Free Pt.2." They also provided screenshots of scenes from the BTS member's past MVs and compared them to Taemin's new teaser.
From the shirts, choreographies, setups, moods, concepts, hairstyles, and backgrounds, ARMYs said that they were confused and thought that the SHINee member's teaser was a "fan-edit" of Jimin's past music videos.
it's funny how y'all saying jm get inspired from taemin when he didn't even participate in his solo songs when he's in this industry before bts? like jimin just debuted but participated prod & wrote in both albums so who got inspired from who here? https://t.co/jRAOt2XWgR pic.twitter.com/ZK1GIQ4KII
— harshu (@vminanjel) August 15, 2024
copied taehyung & jimin that's why ppl call him taemin https://t.co/iUa0Waqweq
— gracè (@badguy4yew) August 15, 2024
However, Taemin's fans thought that this accusation was ridiculous and jumped to defend the idol. They explained that the artist referenced his solo MVs' "killing parts" in his forthcoming release.
They also counterattacked by saying that the BTS member's works were the ones that actually looked similar to Taemin's because he was a fan of the SHINee singer.
In a past video, Jimin stated that Taemin's artistry influenced him; thus, Shawols claimed that his MVs were more "Taemin-inspired."
Shawols also put emphasis on the honor and legacy of Taemin as an "idol of idols" and "ace of aces."
yall talking like this hasnt been his fucking brand style for the last ten years pic.twitter.com/S6tkx1ZyBT https://t.co/QfxjzaLZDS
— marianna (@byulkyunx) August 15, 2024
the quotes acting like taemin hasn't been on the moodboard for every male kpop soloist since he released move at LEAST https://t.co/GkIiVeFghN
— wench (@falllenvenus) August 15, 2024
i’m gonna be honest if you recognize your fave in here and blindly accuse taemin of plagiarism it’s because ur fave continuously stole taemin persona and style, this is the most taemin song and mv and he’s obviously not new to his own brand https://t.co/vbqJ9jP8d4
— van 🫧 ggum! (@minhoreaI) August 15, 2024
Set Me Free was obviously inspired by Taemin's Advice which was released in 2021 on his third mini album of the same title before Jimin's solo debut. Taemin has been an artist for 16 years, and a soloist for 10 there is not much he hasn't done already when it comes to concepts.… https://t.co/znNcz8HCKE pic.twitter.com/Yo54zB0ydS
— Toya (@toya_eve) August 15, 2024
The only person Taemin copies is Taemin himself and that how it's always been throughout his 10 solo career so piss tf off🫶 pic.twitter.com/s1QFTruIWS
— Pansy (@jjakoong05) August 15, 2024
What are your thoughts in this situation?
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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz
