Min Hee Jin’s Claims of NewJeans’ Formula Being Copied Have Netizens in Agreement: ‘What She’s Saying Is Right’

Several Korean netizens have concurred with Min Hee Jin’s assertions that NewJeans’ formula was being imitated.

K-Netz React To Min Hee Jin’s Claims Of NewJeans’ Formula Being Copied

On April 26, an online community was created by netizens with the title “Min Hee Jin Accuses ILLIT of Copying NewJeans’ Formula.”

K-Netz 'Praise' Min Hee Jin's 'Star Quality,' Press Conference T-Shirt & Cap Sold Out — (Photo : Min Hee Jin (News1))

The author subsequently shared a portion of the press conference where Min Hee Jin acknowledged that the responsibility for the issue lay with HYBE and not ILLIT.

The CEO of ADOR clarified that she was not criticizing ILLIT, but rather highlighting that this issue was caused by adults.

Min Hee Jin Reveals Frustration After HYBE Casted Sakura & Kim Chaewon — (Photo : News1)

Min Hee Jin acknowledged that achieving a plain styling was attainable for anyone. However, the CEO argued that the NewJeans formula had been excessively replicated, and clarified that the purpose of implementing a multi-label system was to highlight the unique diversity within each established group.

The CEO of ADOR went on to explain her disdain for the “copying”by stating that if HYBE is able to replicate NewJeans, it could potentially lead to a chain reaction of K-pop groups imitating each other. Min Hee Jin emphasized that her criticism was crucial for maintaining the authenticity and advancement of the K-pop industry.

“I want to clarify that I’m not criticizing ILLIT, because they did nothing wrong. The ongoing problem was made between adults, and I also brought up the topic of plagiarism because of this. Surely, anyone can have long hair.

However, our formula was copied too much, and the reason I’m sad about this was because I asked, then what’s the point of having a multi-label company? If this keeps up, then just manage the agency like YG or SM.

Multi-labels exist to generate each group’s individuality. I hate this because if a company like HYBE can just easily copy us, then smaller agencies will also plan to copy NewJeans, since they assume other companies can excel by copying us.

I want to clarify that this criticism is needed so the industry can keep going.”

In the comments section, Korean netizens expressed their agreement with Min Hee Jin’s accusations of plagiarism and pointed out the striking similarities between ILLIT’s concept and NewJeans.

Below are the comments they made:

“What she’s saying is right, though. They are exact copies of each other.”

“It’s really obvious that everyone will be reminded of NewJeans. Min Hee Jin went all out in the conference because they attempted to copy her creation.”

“People kept saying the groups looked similar, but most of them decided to let it go because both are from HYBE Labels.”

“But they copied NewJeans lol.”

“She’s right about this, they were just the second version of NewJeans.”

“To be honest, it’s foul for a company to debut a copy group with a copied concept in just two years after the debut of the original.”

Netizens were entertained by Min Hee Jin’s lawyers, who became an internet sensation due to their seemingly “stressed”demeanor at the conference.

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