K-netizens point out the reason why ITZY’s popularity is going downhill: No distinct identity, copying BLACKPINK?

phuonganhvu119March 26, 2023Last Updated: March 26, 2023

2 minutes read

Some Korean netizens claim one of the reasons why ITZY couldn’t rise to the top of Kpop girl groups is because of their similar concept to BLACKPINK’s.

After the trending performance at MAMA 2021, discussions centering on ITZY have continued to appear on Korean online communities. Besides leaving positive comments on the JYP girl group’s confident and charming stage presence, netizens also discuss ITZY‘s position in the new generation of idols.

Many netizens agree that ITZY is very talented, but this year, the group has not been doing well when their digital rankings and impact in Korea are going downhill. After the success of the debut track “DALLA DALLA” in 2019, ITZY could not rise to the top as expected. The causes for ITZY’s current situation are believed to include JYP’s wrong strategy, lacking vocal skills or Lia’s bullying controversy.

On December 14, a post on Pann also pointed out another reason why ITZY couldn’t achieve explosive success. It’s because the group… copied BLACKPINK‘s concept. “ITZY is a group with no distinct identity and color” – said the original poster.

According to the post, ITZY has been following BLACKPINK‘s girl crush concept since their debut. ITZY’s outfits, visual concepts, and music all resemble their senior group under YG. ITZY‘s problem is that they don’t give off a unique charm, so it is difficult to develop a solid fanbase. The majority of fans of the girl crush concept will choose BLACKPINK over ITZY?

*BLACKPINK’s girl-crush style in Boombayah…*

…appeared in ITZY's Dalla Dalla concept? — *…appeared in ITZY’s Dalla Dalla concept?*

… continues to be the inspiration for ITZY's debut stage — *… continues to be the inspiration for ITZY’s debut stage*

Netizens also compared the album cover of Square Up’s legendary white - black - pink concept of BLACKPINK — *Netizens also compared the album cover of Square Up’s legendary white – black – pink concept of BLACKPINK*

*With a set of outfit from the JYP girl group in 2019*

BLACKPINK's legendary white outfits at the 2016 Melon Music Awards — *BLACKPINK’s legendary white outfits at the 2016 Melon Music Awards*

*Incidentally, at Melon Music Awards 2016, ITZY also had the same white concept.*

Is Jennie's chic image with hairpin when promoting SOLO... — *Is Jennie’s chic image with hairpin when promoting SOLO…*

the inspiration for Lia's look at the 2019 MAMA red carpet event? — *the inspiration for Lia’s look at the 2019 MAMA red carpet event?*

BLACKPINK's outfits when performing at SBS Gayo Daejun 2018 — *BLACKPINK’s outfits when performing at SBS Gayo Daejun 2018*

Said to be the "original" of the outfit that ITZY wore at the showcase "ITZY? ITZY! In Los Angeles" in January 2020 — *Said to be the “original” of the outfit that ITZY wore at the showcase “ITZY? ITZY! In Los Angeles” in January 2020*

Official colors and banner of BLACKPINK

And of ITZY

Blackpink's T-shirt — *Blackpink’s T-shirt*

And ITZY's t-shirts look very similar, don't they? — *And ITZY’s t-shirts look very similar, don’t they?*

There are also opinions that ITZY should not be blamed because JYP is completely at fault. Meanwhile, ITZY‘s fans claim that all of the above similarities are just coincidental.

Fans state that ITZY‘s image in MVs and on stage differs from that of BLACKPINK. And because the concept of “girl crush” is not exclusive to the YG girl group, it cannot be argued that ITZY is a “copy” of BLACKPINK.

*Fans claim that ITZY has its own style, not being a copy of any other group*

*ITZY represents the cool teen crush style*

*But also young and dynamic in the spirit of Gen Z*

Netizens’ comments:

It is JYP’s problem, not ITZY’s fault
BLACKPINK is truly a trendsetter and a role model for girl groups of the next generation
Doesn’t make any sense, I think ITZY is completely unlike BLACKPINK.
It’s ridiculous that ITZY copied everything.
BLACKPINK is the standard. Their concept of girl crush, their image, their clothes or their music,etc. Black Pink is the Revolution

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