Upon the release of their sexy winter-themed teaser photos ahead of their comeback, (G)-IDLE raised two controversies involving plagiarism and sexual commercialization.

On January 29, the 4th-gen girl group (G)I-DLE will join the intense January comeback battle among K-pop acts with their upcoming second full-length album, "2."

Before its release, the quintet's 2nd set of concept photos was unveiled on January 16 through their official social media accounts.

Amid the excitement of fans, the photos became controversial after netizens pointed THESE out.

(G)I-DLE Drops 2nd Concept Images '1'

On this day, its agency Cube Entertainment teased its fandom Nevies with a new set of group and individual concept photos ahead of the official drop of theit second studio album, "2."

In the "1" photos, the five members were seen in a vast space filled with snow and they served sexy visuals wearing bra tops embellished with sparkly diamonds, beads, and crystals.

To deliver the sexy winter theme even more, the quintet also wore faux fur hats and skirts and completed the look with fur-high boots.

ALSO READ: (G)I-DLE Copied BLACKPINK? Groups' Intro, Outfits Draw Attention for 'Uncanny' Similarities

When the photos were uploaded, (G)I-DLE immediately garnered rave reviews for their "face cards" that are always serving and never declining!

• "The visuals of a generation."
• "They are not kidding."
• "The women that you are."
• "Everyone can step on me anytime."
• "Crazy, sexy and hot."

(G)I-DLE Caught in Plagiarism & Sexualization Controversies + Nevies, Group's Art Director Defend Idols

Amid positive reactions, the group became a hot topic in online communities for their "controversial" photos. (G)I-DLE received negative comments for being "too sexy" in the photos, which some people referred to as "erotic."

According to K-Netz, the girl group has been shying away from their bad**s/girl crush concept loved by fans, and that they have been doing more "unnecessary" exposure of themselves.

• "What's up with the exposure?"
• "I'm anticipating (G)I-DLE's release but this isn't for them."
• "They are pretty but I hope they would cover up more."
• "They are indeed pretty, but the exposure is getting more and more severe."
• "Ugh, ever since Queencard, they became even more weird."

With the topic of sexual commercialization being raised, Nevies took to SNS to defend them that there is nothing sexual about the photos. Rather, netizens were just using this opportunity to hate on the group when a lot of girl groups did even sexier concepts than (G)I-DLE.

The issue hadn't subsided yet when K-Netz also pointed out that (G)I-DLE might have plagiarized the concept from a popular photoshoot.

In the said original photo, there were also five members wearing fancy bra tops and faux fur hats and skirts in a snow field, sharing an uncanny resemblance with (G)I-DLE's photos.

As a result, the group's art director lambasted this accusation by sharing the reference to (G)I-DLE's concept photos, which were also their own ideas from their past pictorials.

The art director tagged (G)I-DLE and said:

"It's been a long time since I've directed cutie, sexy, and hot girls. The pictures came out prettily."

In another photo, they added:

"My wannabe, my treasure storage."

READ MORE: (G)I-DLE Miyeon Raises Brows for Often Doing Dance Challenges With Male Idols

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dawson.