Ahead of ITZY's much-awaited new album in 2024, the group is continuously attacked for "plagiarizing" aespa. In response, fandom MIDZYs took to SNS to defend the group and refute the claims.

(Photo : aespa vs ITZY (Kpopping))

ITZY Releases 'BORN TO BE' MV Ahead of Comeback in January 2024

In January, JYP Entertainment's ITZY is set to warm up the 2024 girl group battle as the forerunner with their upcoming album, "BORN TO BE."

They are yet to unveil their new release, yet the quintet is already hounded by plagiarism speculations by MYs, aespa's fandom.

(Photo : ITZY (Kpopping))

On December 18, ITZY released the full music video for their new album's opening track, "BORN TO BE."

On January 8, 2024, the quintet, excluding Lia, is set to start the year with a same-name album comprised of the title track, "UNTOUCHABLE."

Since December 4, JYP Entertainment has been teasing the K-pop scene, especially MIDZYs (fandom) with a comeback promotion scheduler, clips, and photos.

(Photo : Facebook: ITZY)

ALSO READ: aespa's 'Copycat'? THIS Girl Group Raises Brows Following Comeback Teaser

According to the agency, there will be eight upcoming contents, including the "UNTOUCHABLE" and "BORN TO BE" MVs, as well as solo track videos of the members.

In the meantime, the MV of the first track "BORN TO BE" that everyone has been waiting for has been unveiled on the 18th.

The track has an electronic dance genre, and incorporates the group's concept of "Hot & Wild." It also unravels a challenging & progressive message, flaunting the group's self-confidence.

ITZY Faces Plagiarism Accusations from aespa Fans — Is It Really Similar?

Following its release, ITZY's "BORN TO BE" immediately garnered rave reviews from music fans, lauding their intense and sizzling performance that highlights their impressive dance line.

Even without Lia, their main vocalist, the members were also lauded for their singing skills.

Amid praises, the group didn't avoid some criticism, especially from MYs, aespa fans, who accused them of copying the latter group's concept for their recent release, "DRAMA."

MYs pointed out that "BORN TO BE" MV is an exact copy of the aforementioned song, starting from the set's design and colors.

In a comparison video, even the transitions were the same, and fans claimed that even a non-fan can mistake ITZY for aespa even more because, aside from the similar MVs, they only have four members without Lia.

MYs also emphasized the members' similar outfits and hairstyles, not to mention that the songs' vibes and message were also following the theme of having "self-confidence" and moving forward as desired in a free-born world.

As ITZY continued to be mocked by internet users for not having "originality" and being "copycats," MIDZYs came running to rescue ITZY and refuted all claims.

The fandom agreed that although there are details that might have overlapped, the two concepts aren't the same at all. If anything, ITZY's current concept looks like the ideas that they showed in their previous releases.

What are your thoughts on this situation?

READ MORE: Original Lyrics of aespa's 'Drama' About 'Planting Trees' Draw Attention — Is Revised Version Better?

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Written by Eunice Dawson.