As the public backlash against Belift Lab's plagiarism rebuttal video persists, industry experts have also weighed in on the company's efforts to refute the allegations that ILLIT plagiarized NewJeans.
On June 10, Belift Lab posted a video on its official YouTube channel titled "Belift Lab's Position on Plagiarism Allegations" to counter claims that ILLIT had plagiarized NewJeans. In the video, the company disputed the accusations made by ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin.
The video featured several key officials from Belift Lab, including CEO Kim Tae Ho, Deputy CEO Choi Yoon Hyuk, Visual Director Heo Se Ryun, and Performance Director Myung Sang Woo. They showcased various materials to argue that ILLIT possesses original concepts and inspiration, highlighting the group's distinct narrative.
Director Heo Se Ryun expressed pride in ILLIT's stage costumes, stating, "In the fashion industry, they have coined the term 'ILLITcore.' We reinterpreted it in a style unique to ILLIT."
In response, a netizen claiming to be a current fashion industry worker questioned, "Which fashion industry uses the neologism 'ILLITcore'? Having been in the industry for several years and having experienced multiple season launches, I have never heard of the term 'ILLITcore'."
They further argued, "Even NewJeans, which has had a significant influence on the fashion of women in their teens and twenties, has never been labeled with the neologism 'NewJeanscore.' Even GD, Korea's greatest icon, has never been called 'GDcore.' ILLIT's costumes are just stage outfits that ordinary people cannot imitate outside."
The netizen added, "ILLIT is not yet a trendsetter idol that influences fashion to the extent of having a term like 'ILLITcore.' When planning new items for any fashion brand's season, NewJeans is a major reference at the moment, while ILLIT is not mentioned. Women in their age group are currently dominated by the Y2K style pushed by NewJeans. I don't understand the reason for forcing such a term."
Additionally, a BLACKPINK director reacted to the claim that NewJeans copied BLACKPINK's school uniform concept by saying it was "completely different."
Critics also responded negatively. Popular music critic Kim Do Heon described the Belief Lab video as "truly the worst," while critic Jung Min Jae called it a "fatal mistake," adding, "It’s a video that couldn’t have been made if they considered the artists and fans."
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It's a shame what a negative impact this must be having on the girls. Especially with the level of brutal hate that they receive.
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