The concept for ITZY’s upcoming album, “BORN TO BE”, is being compared to BLACKPINK and aespa
On December 11, a topic about ITZY’s concept for “BORN TO BE” was published on the Korean forum Pann Nate and immediately gained huge attention.
While the topic itself praised the new concept of ITZY, many people under the comment section expressed that they feel like the concept is too similar to that of BLACKPINK and aespa.
Additionally, new topics suspecting ITZY of “copying” BLACKPINK and aespa have also emerged on Pann alongside other Korean forums.
Some fans have since explained that ITZY is just switching from their usual “teencrush” image to a more “girlcrush” one, but many remain vigilant and insists that the new concept just feels like something aespa and BLACKPINK do.
Below are some comments from netizens:
- The red image looks like aespa’s Drama, while the blue image with the hood feels like BLACKPINK…
- I’m not a fan of aespa nor ITZY, but this really reminds me of aespa
- Why are they going for an aespa concept…
- aespa also followed BLACKPINK concept initially, so this is normal
- You guys are only saying these are similar to aespa and BLACKPINK because it’s 4 people. If there are 5 of them, you wouldn’t be saying this
- JYP, please let the group’s personality shine instead of doing things like this… What are you doing
At the same time, several netizens also raised concerns over JYP’s obsolete visual direction, comparing the black-and-red tone in ITZY’s new concept teasers to Red Velvet’s poster for “Bad Boy”. According to them, despite “Bad Boy” being released 5 years earlier, Red Velvet’s poster still looks more eye-catching.
Alongside this, the fact that ITZY’s main vocal Lia is not participating in the group’s comeback is worrying, considering that Lia is often in charge of the most difficult parts and lines.
