Is ILLIT’s Upcoming Album Track ‘IYKYK’ a Copy of NewJeans’ New Demo Song Beat?

ILLIT recently unveiled five music video tracks from their second mini album titled “I’LL LIKE YOU,” available on the HYBE LABELS YouTube channel. Each video features part of the instrumental and visuals that mirror the mood of the respective songs.

The leading track, “Cherish (My Love),” catches the ear with its infectious rhythm, indicating its potential to become a chart-topping success. In this piece, ILLIT underscores the importance of their own feelings while also valuing the sentiments of others.

The remaining songs each possess unique themes: “I’ll Like You” radiates sweetness, “IYKYK” is filled with playful vibes, “Pimple” evokes a dreamlike quality, and “Tick-Tack” enchants with its distinctive electronic flair, building anticipation for the album’s full debut.

Of particular note is the song “IYKYK,” which has faced allegations of mirroring a new demo from NewJeans. This demo was inadvertently revealed by Min Heejin during a Hyundai Card event on September 27, while ILLIT’s track video arrived a mere ten days later on October 7.

During the “2024 Hyundai Card Da Vinci Model” lecture on April 28, Min Hee-jin, former CEO of ADOR, expressed her admiration for NewJeans and unveiled an unreleased demo, which fueled excitement across social media platforms.

ILLIT’s new track sounds strikingly similar to the demo MHJ introduced for NJ1. I can’t help but wonder why. pic.twitter.com/c64Xn226vK

— Lia ʚɞ (@Liabizz) October 7, 2024

At present, a comparison video made by a fan, identifying similarities between the two tracks, has garnered an impressive 1.4 million views.

The ongoing debate surrounding ILLIT’s similarities to NewJeans has become a significant factor in the friction between HYBE and ADOR. Following Min Hee-jin’s comments, many have pointed out that the new girl group under HYBE bears a striking resemblance to their more established counterpart within the same label. This viewpoint resonates even with music experts in Korea, who regard it as a lapse in originality.

Since their launch, ILLIT has faced scrutiny for being overly reminiscent of NewJeans. Both groups are recognized for their high-energy electronic tracks, employing a whimsical school uniform theme, and showcasing choreography that appears quite similar. Moreover, both groups were featured at fashion brand events shortly after their debut, further blurring the lines between their identities. Even the artwork and merchandise associated with their albums feature cartoon characters that share similar aesthetics.

As a result, numerous fans commend Min Heejin for her astuteness in foreseeing that HYBE might appropriate NewJeans’ sound for another act, prompting her proactive disclosure to counteract such actions.

Source: X

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