It seems to be a long way for HYBE rookie group ILLIT to escape the shadow of its senior, NewJeans. More plagiarism controversy revealed the uncanny similarities between ILLIT latest release, “IYKYK,” and a collection of NewJeans unreleased songs revealed by producer Min Heejin. But what exactly happened, and where are the similarities? And, most importantly, was it really part of HYBE’s plans to erase NewJeans? Let’s discuss the latest ILLIT vs NewJeans plagiarism issue in the following report.
ILLIT Faces More Plagiarism Controversy Against “IYKYK” Release
Kpop 5th generation rookie ILLIT seems to have a long way to go in escaping the plagiarism controversy. Following the recent release of the “IYKYK” song as a part of the group’s “I’LL LIKE YOU” comeback album, ILLIT is again facing more issues and similarities, allegedly proving that they’re the exact replica of NewJeans.
Last week, ILLIT made a comeback with its 2nd mini album, “I’LL LIKE YOU,” with “Cherish (My Love),” the title track that gained explosive global reception.
However, once the group focused its promotion on the B-side track, “IYKYK,” ILLIT must again face another plagiarism controversy for its uncanny similarities with the unreleased songs of the group’s original blueprint, NewJeans.
Uncanny Similarities with Min Heejin’s Unreleased Songs for NewJeans
On October 26, a post emerged on the Korean online community TheQoo, pointing out how much ILLIT “IYKYK” is a lot similar to the unreleased songs for NewJeans that Min Heejin once revealed.
Along with the suspicions, the fan also posted a video that pointed out all the similarities between ILLIT “IYKYK” and NewJeans unreleased songs. Not only that, once you hear the instrumental version of “IYKYK,” there are reportedly hints of similar beats between the songs.
Therefore, these similarities are getting even more uncanny when you listen to them side by side.
Fans immediately responded with strong comments, defending NewJeans with more plagiarism controversy against ILLIT. In social media and Korean communities, they believe that Min Heejin’s action of revealing NewJeans unreleased songs was actually a precaution against this plagiarism controversy from ILLIT and HYBE.
Reactions from Online Communities and Social Media
- “That beat is exactly the same, right? I watched the lecture, and they practically revealed the whole thing. I figured there must be a reason—and there it was.”
- “There’s definitely a reason why Min Heejin put it out first.”
- “If you listen to the instrumental, it really does sound so similar.”
- “Why do you think Min Heejin released everything so openly? She knew exactly how they would react!”
- “The beat is just so similar.”
- “Both use a UK garage beat, so that’s probably why they sound alike.”
- “If you’re going to call it forced, what am I supposed to say? It sounds exactly the same to me. What’s going on?”
- “If Min Heejin hadn’t put it out first, they would’ve totally accused NewJeans of copying once they released a song with that beat. They always do that.”
- “The beat might be similar, but the melody doesn’t have that NewJeans vibe. Even if NewJeans used it, the song would feel totally different.”
- “Yeah, they’re similar…”
- “It kind of seems like they released it on purpose.”
- “I think I get why they released it first, haha. Imagine if ILLIT had put it out first, and then NewJeans released a similar song later. People would’ve had a field day, haha.”
- “This is just too much… Do they really need to copy that blatantly?”
- “They knew it got leaked and then released it themselves. Wow, they’re just copying without any shame.”
- “This is unreal…”
The way tokkis already predicted this was the reason MHJ shared the demo as it was very odd of her to do that like NewJeans RARELY have teasers for their songs
— ARRI_TOKKI (@GentleTokkiArri) October 7, 2024
After the demo everyone was saying "it sounds like every other NewJeans song" and now suddenly it doesn't https://t.co/IwFo8qt5q9 pic.twitter.com/cm1wiTosCS
hybe is so sick, they really stole njs entire concept and music to give it to an untalented and boring group??? On top of that they’re trying to manipulate and erase njs success https://t.co/fhDFteSjHV
— ★ (@miuboi) October 7, 2024
Not long ago hybe Stan shaming NJ + mhj cause the demo for their next song sounded just like the other NJ's songs.
— may baby (@babyitsyouhey) October 8, 2024
They could tell immediately how newjeans's music signature Sounds like.
now that belift caught stealing NJ's music, just watch how #they gonna switching up again https://t.co/SNoAiLHwXb pic.twitter.com/kpgyysh00a
Was it Part of HYBE’s Plan?
Not only that, but the plagiarism controversy against ILLIT got even more suspicious due to the recent leak of the HYBE document against NewJeans.
In the document, HYBE allegedly planned on erasing the NewJeans part of the iconic HYBE girl group term used for social media: “New-ILL-LE” (NewJeans, ILLIT, LE SSERAFIM).
“As fans started using ‘HYBE’s New-ILL-LE’ to group NewJeans, ILLIT, and LE SSERAFIM, discussions around ILLIT really picked up.
HYBE’s Weekly Report.
At this point, it might make sense to link LE SSERAFIM with BLACKPINK, aespa, and IVE in the “million-sellers” category for their first-week album sales. It will set them apart from the broader 4th generation.
While “New-ILL-LE” became a big term for a few days, we could probably drop the “New” and focus on something fresh from here.”
Therefore, fans are wondering if creating the same music as NewJeans unreleased songs is part of HYBE’s plans to replace the group with ILLIT.
But what about you? Do you also believe this plagiarism accusation against ILLIT? And did you think that HYBE has been planning everything? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
In the meantime, here’s ILLIT’s mesmerizing performance of “IYKYK” on SBS Inkigayo.
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This is sick!
Oh by the way, XG also just released a pre-release track, with the exact same title IYKYK. Lol! What a coincidence!