Despite facing criticism, ILLIT is currently facing allegations of replicating NewJeans’s “Ditto”stage costumes.
Despite only debuting a month ago, ILLIT’s reputation has suffered greatly. After their encore performances, which featured inconsistent and unsteady vocals, the group faced severe criticism from Korean netizens for their inability to properly showcase their own song.
Despite Min Hee Jin’s accusation that BELIFT Lab and HYBE Labels had copied NewJeans’s formula for ILLIT’s debut, things only continued to deteriorate. While Min Hee Jin clarified that she did not hold the ILLIT members responsible, the label of “stolen group”remained attached to the group.
Despite facing backlash, ILLIT’s popularity has only increased. On May 12, 2024, an online post titled “ILLIT accused of copying ‘Ditto’ uniform concept”was shared on the South Korean community forum Nate Pann. The post featured photos of both girl groups.
The debut showcase of ILLIT features a photo of the group where the members are all dressed in school uniforms. The oversized blazers, sweaters, and jackets are complemented by high socks and black leather shoes.
The photo of NewJeans was captured behind the scenes of a music performance. Both members are donning uniforms featuring oversized blazers, high socks, and leather shoes. The major distinction lies in the color of their jackets, with NewJeans’s being brown and ILLIT’s being black.
Moreover, the OP also posted a photo card featuring NewJeans’s Minji and ILLIT’s Minju, both donning school uniforms. The caption accompanying the photo reads, “Under a month into their debut, ILLIT has already managed to replicate everything NewJeans achieved in two years.”
According to Korean netizens, the original poster’s statement was accurate. They pointed out that while the concept of a school uniform is not unique, the style worn by NewJeans was uncommon. This similarity between NewJeans and ILLIT’s uniforms is what caused the backlash.
Several comments stated,
- “Isn’t the common kind of school uniform the ‘Produce’ style one? NewJeans definitely did something new by wearing the old-school kind of uniform.”
- “If NewJeans was a seven-year-old group, I’d just be like ‘Oh, okay.’ But it hasn’t even been two years since NewJeans debuted and the event went on a 10-month hiatus. ILLIT just debuted and copied everything.”
- “The way ILLIT is cleverly copying everything NewJeans did is f*cking wicked.”
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