The lineup for the 76th edition of NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen, Japan’s most prestigious year-end music festival, has been officially revealed, drawing widespread attention especially among K-pop fans.

According to the announcement made on November 14 via NHK’s official website, aespa, under SM Entertainment, and ILLIT, from HYBE’s subsidiary Belift Lab, will perform as part of the Red Team. Meanwhile, HYBE’s Japan-based boy group &TEAM will join the White Team, marking a significant representation of K-pop in this year’s show.

This marks aespa’s first appearance on the Kohaku stage since their debut in 2020. Notably, they are the first SM artists to be invited in 14 years, following TVXQ and Girls’ Generation’s last appearances in 2011.

ILLIT returns for their second consecutive appearance, while &TEAM joins for the first time since debuting sharing the honor of a Kohaku debut with aespa.

However, what’s catching the most attention is the appearance of Japanese boy group M!LK, included in this year’s lineup. Earlier this year, M!LK sparked controversy when the MV teaser for their pre-release single “E Jan” from their second full album M!X was accused of plagiarizing aespa’s “Whiplash.”

The teaser, released in February, drew criticism due to its melodic and visual similarities to aespa’s track, with choreography elements also seen as notably comparable. While netizens raised alarms over the alleged plagiarism, Stardust Promotion, M!LK’s agency, did not release any official statement, resulting in further backlash.

aespa Kohaku Uta Gassen M!LK plagiarism controversy

Now, aespa and M!LK are set to appear on opposing teams in the same event aespa on the Red Team, M!LK on the White Team leading to renewed interest and speculation over their potential on-stage interaction. Fans both in South Korea and internationally are watching closely to see how this unexpected meeting will unfold under the spotlight of Japan’s grandest musical celebration.

With tensions lingering and public curiosity building, Kohaku Uta Gassen 2025 is shaping up to be more than just a musical spectacle it’s also a moment of unresolved controversy.

Sources: Daum