The discussion started after ILLIT held their PRESS START concert in Seoul, where they revealed the choreography for a new track titled NOT ME. Soon after the performance, clips from the stage began circulating across social media platforms, prompting viewers to compare the routine with choreography from NewJeans’ song Cookie.
According to fans who shared side-by-side videos online, certain parts of the performance — particularly the group formation and a sequence involving benches — appeared visually similar to the choreography used in “Cookie.” These comparisons quickly spread through forums and social media, sparking heated debate among K-pop fans.
Some netizens argued that the resemblance was too obvious to overlook, suggesting that the choreography may have drawn heavy inspiration from the earlier NewJeans performance. Others, however, felt the similarities were coincidental and not unusual in K-pop stages where props and formations can sometimes overlap.
The situation has also drawn attention from NewJeans fans because “Cookie” was previously used by critics to target the group due to controversy over the song’s lyrics, which some interpreted as containing suggestive meanings. For some fans, the fact that the ILLIT song “NOT ME” is believed to address past plagiarism accusations added another layer of irony to the situation.
As clips of the performances continue to spread online, discussions about the choreography remain divided among fans. As of now, neither ILLIT nor their agency has released an official response regarding the plagiarism claims.
Sources: Koreaboo