Does ILLIT look a lot like NewJeans?” Music experts think so. They’re not saying it’s exactly the same, but they see the similarities. They agree that there should be rules to stop this kind of thing from happening. Let us find out what the experts have to say!!
The Truth Behind the ILLIT and NewJeans Conflict
The disagreement between HYBE and ADOR revolves around accusations that ILLIT copied NewJeans, which is the core issue. This disagreement stems from a non-compete agreement negotiated by Min Hee Jin, ADOR’s CEO, and HYBE during ILLIT’s debut as part of a shareholder deal. As concerns grew about internal reports and suspicions of ILLIT copying, HYBE used its auditing rights and shared them with the media.
Music industry experts discuss whether #ILLIT is a copy of #NewJeans https://t.co/ulwudp1TP5
— allkpop (@allkpop) May 14, 2024
Min Hee Jin explained her stance, saying, “HYBE is unfairly using ADOR’s cultural achievements and those of its artists, including NewJeans.” She pointed out, “Belift Lab, an HYBE label, launched ILLIT in March and has been copying NewJeans in various entertainment areas, like hairstyles, makeup, costumes, choreography, photos, videos, and events.”
This has sparked a debate over whether ILLIT copied NewJeans, and the discussion is ongoing. The suspicion of ILLIT plagiarizing NewJeans is spreading and getting stronger, especially among online communities of young adults in their 20s, who are big fans of K-pop.
It’s been noticed that since they started, people have seen ILLIT as a lot like NewJeans. Both groups belong to the HYBE label, both have five members, both started with fast digital music, both use a dreamy school uniform idea, and their dances are alike too. They both also went to fashion events right after they started.
Online, people have talked about how the album covers and art, as well as the little photo cards in the albums, look similar between NewJeans and ILLIT. There are even 2D drawings of the members that seem alike.
Music Experts Are Worried About The “Similar Ideas”
Music people agree that NewJeans and ILLIT seem very alike. Someone from a music company said, “The main thing about idol groups is their idea. Even if they’re a bit different, if the main idea is alike, it could be seen as copying.” Another person from a different music company said, “Even if the groups are different if they’re under the same company and do similar things right after each other, it looks like they didn’t plan it well, even if they didn’t mean to.”
More music experts are saying that ILLIT has been strongly influenced by NewJeans. They also mention how younger fans of K-pop are noticing these similarities.
One artist who didn’t want to give their name said, “It’s okay to pay tribute or make fun of something in art, but if it means there’s less originality, it should be criticized. When you look at the fonts and art on the NewJeans and ILLIT albums, it seems like they’re taking away from the original work of the creators.” They also said, “This might make people upset and could bother creators too.”
A manager from a big brand said, “The argument about the groups being alike isn’t just about having similar ideas. It seems like ILLIT is copying NewJeans’ success so much that it’s almost like they’re copying the exact outline.”
They further added, “From the Y2K style and the innocent look of young girls to the dreamy pastel visuals and even HYBE’s marketing plans, ILLIT seems to have copied everything that made NewJeans successful. While it’s normal to get ideas from other brands, ILLIT seems to have taken it too far.”
They also said, “HYBE seems to be rushing to copy a success plan without thinking about what’s right for creators. This isn’t just a problem for ILLIT; it could also set a bad example for the whole K-pop industry.”
Finally, Lawyer No Jong-eun said, “Right now, ideas and dances don’t have clear legal rules like music does. Music gets legal protection, but ideas and dances don’t. It’s interesting to see that game companies, especially ones under the same label, have more problems with stealing ideas compared to fashion companies. This shows there’s a problem in the industry.”
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