After ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin accused HYBE of copying NewJeans' concept for ILLIT's debut, the former girl group is now being accused of copying a veteran Japanese group.

Previously, CEO Min Hee Jin claimed the feud between HYBE Labels was due to the fact that the company, alongside BELIFT Lab, copied NewJeans for the debut of ILLIT. According to Min Hee Jin, everything from the group's concept, sound, and even hairstyle was copied from NewJeans.

However, people are now accusing Min Hee Jin of copying an old Japanese girl group for NewJeans debut with "Attention" back in 2022. Keep on reading for all the details.

Did NewJeans Copy Japanese Girl Group For Debut?

On April 23, 2024, several netizens took to online community forums and social media platforms to compare NewJeans' debut music video, "Attention," with a music video from an old Japanese girl group. Soon, discussions transcended borders, with people around the world speculating Min Hee Jin copied them for NewJeans's concept.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Min Hee Jin Claims Feud With HYBE Is Due To ILLIT Copying NewJeans

On August 5, 1996, Japanese girl group SPEED released the music video for their song "Body & Soul." It was noted that NewJeans' music video for "Attention" is highly reminiscent of the aforementioned video.

It was noted that the sets were extremely similar, with both girl groups performing in stadiums, rooftops, beaches with palm trees in the background, and more. Additionally, even their styling was similar. As NewJeans has a Y2K concept, it is likely they were inspired by SPEED's fashion and mimicked it for NewJeans's release.

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Korean netizens also claimed that the choreography of NewJeans's song bore similarities to SPEED's.

Many were quick to slam Min Hee Jin, who had accused not just ILLIT but TWS and RIIZE of copying NewJeans concept. They claim it was obvious she was influenced by SPEED and other similar girl groups for NewJeans' themes, so it is hypocritical for her to claim other groups were plagiarizing NewJeans.

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Some comments read,

• "Honestly, even the choreography looks similar. If Min Hee Jin insists that ILLIT members having long hair and wearing Y2K clothes is considered plagiarism, then isn't this a big deal?"
• "Min Hee Jin was obviously influenced by these kinds of concepts for NewJeans, and yet she has the audacity to accuse ILLIT of plagiarism."
• "I'm not saying it's flat-out plagiarism, but she definitely referenced it."
• "This is Min Hee Jin's karma after she made that stupid remark."
• "Honestly, it's similar."

What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below!

NewJeans Gears Up For Comeback & Japan Debut

In March 2024, it was revealed that NewJeans would be making a highly anticipated comeback on May 24 with a double single, "How Sweet," featuring the b-side "Bubble Gum," along with instrumentals for both tracks.

Following their comeback, NewJeans are set to debut officially in Japan on June 21 with another double single, "Supernatural," accompanied by the b-side "Right Now."

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Their first Japanese fan meet, "Bunnies Camp 2024," is scheduled to take place at the Tokyo Dome from June 26 to 27.

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Written by Alexa Lopez