Amid anticipation for their comeback in January 2024, THIS girl group raised brows for their concept teaser that reminded K-netz of aespa. Are they trying to copy the quartet?

On December 11, JYP Entertainment's girl group ITZY released their teaser photos and clips prior to their return to the music scene in January 2024.

Amid the excitement, the girl group who appeared with only four members excluding Lia suddenly received criticism for their concept teasers, which allegedly resemble aespa's recent comeback album, "DRAMA."

ITZY To Release New Album 'BORN TO BE' in January

(Photo : aespa (Twitter))

ITZY will start the year 2024 with a powerful album.

On January 8, the girl group is set to unveil their third studio album, "BORN TO BE," with the title track, "UNTOUCHABLE."

Comprised of a total of 10 songs, the main song drew excitement as it was written Lee Seu Ran, famous for writing TWICE Nayeon's hit solo, "POP!" along with Bang Hye Hyun, the same lyricist who wrote aespa's "Drama."

Maria Marcus also participated in the song, who worked for Red Velvet and TXT in the past.

ALSO READ: ITZY Yeji Emphasizes Essence & Pride When Performing LIVE Amid Hard Choreographies

Through this album, ITZY members are also expected to release their solo songs, adding to the excitement.

Ahead of the release, JYP Entertainment then posted concept photos and clips on its official SNS, featuring the group's "Hot & Wild" concept preview.

In the teaser released, ITZY is seen in a setting of a cave with red dunes and blue darkness. ITZY flaunted strong charisma and piercing eyes, exuding the wild and bold charm of a female warrior.

Did ITZY Copy aespa? Groups' Concepts Overlap

(Photo : aespa (Pann Nate))

(Photo : Twitter: @aespa_official)

While there are fans especially MIDZYs expressed their high anticipation of the group's desire to start the year with a "hotter than flame" concept, netizens raised their brows after it reminded them of the girl group aespa.

In November, aespa released their fourth mini-album, "Drama," and became a hit for its powerful sound.

The albums both have mysterious and strong female warrior aura, a debate then sparked in various online communities.

Numerous netizens accused ITZY of being aespa's copycat for their similar concepts. Them having four members like aespa after Lia announced a temporary hiatus in September didn't help.

(Photo : aespa (Twitter))

(Photo : aespa (Kpopping))

Netizens wrote:

• "Seriously, I'm not a fan of aespa either, but as soon as I saw it, I thought of aespa."
• "aespa?"
• "What? What's with the aespa concept?"
• "I thought the one with short hair was Karina."
• "Why grind your teeth and go to KWANGYA?"

(Photo : aespa (Kpopping))

(Photo : IITZY (Pann Nate))

• "Because there are only four members, it feels more like aespa. Other than that, I hope this song becomes a hit."
• "Why does it feel like they copied aespa, who also copied BLACKPINK?"
• "The outfits, photos and even colors remind me so much of aespa's 'DRAMA,' but even more so since there are four of them without Lia. This may not be the end of the photo teaser, but I can't help but feel disappointed."

On the flip side, MIDZYs refuted this claim and claimed that ITZY has been doing strong and dark girl crush concepts since then like "In the Morning (Mafia)" and "Not Shy."

READ MORE: Karina Expresses Apology To ITZY Yeji — What Did the aespa Leader Do?

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Written by Eunice Dawson.