SM Entertainment’s new girl group Hearts2Hearts released new teaser photos on January 30 and Korean netizens are already accusing the group of plagiarism.
The group shared new teaser photos for their debut that quickly drew attention from K-pop fans. It also drew comparisons to the aesthetics of NewJeans, with some fans claiming that Hearts2Hearts teasers give off an obvious “Min Hee Jin vibe.”
The discussion was started on a popular online community where some netizens argued that Hearts2Hearts teaser photos evoke the same “teenage nostalgia” and “vintage schoolgirl” vibe often associated with NewJeans debut. However, some shared that the girl group also shows similarities with f(x), a senior group at SM that was also known for the dreamy concepts.
Many netizens joined the community for a heated debate with many arguing back and forth whether the resemblance is there. Korean netizens commented:
“It feels like the aesthetic Min Hee Jin used to do, but now it’s quite common.”
“As soon as I saw it, I thought of NewJeans.”
“I was looking forward to it, but it’s too predictable, so I’m disappointed.”
“Yeah, people bringing up specific groups saying they’re reminded of them just want to bash them for having an inflated ego, lol. This concept isn’t new anymore… If you remove the SM label, it looks like a mid-tier girl group.”
“Honestly, the concept is something Min Hee Jin used to execute really well, but it’s become overused now. I’m curious how the song will turn out.”
“It just feels like a concept that’s been done a lot lately… If I had to compare, I’d say it’s similar to ILLIT and tripleS.”
“It’s funny how some people are seriously getting mad over this… just let it be. When new groups debut, they don’t have a solid image yet, so they get compared to popular groups. SM must’ve expected this reaction.”
“It has a NewJeans vibe.”
“People must think everything looks like NewJeans.”
“Random thought, but I wonder if comment reactions like this could hold up as evidence in court… My first impression from the teaser is that it’s giving ‘Electric Shock’ + ‘Pink Tape’ vibes.”
“Why do idols always have to be running in photos, lol? A group without running shots is rarer.”
“People keep saying ‘NewJeans, Min Hee Jin’ about everything… stop looking at things through that frame.”
“This isn’t even NewJeans, it’s more like f(x) and SHINee-era aesthetics. That slightly out-of-focus shot is really giving that vibe.”
“Honestly, I don’t even stan SM groups, but these comments just feel like they’re trying to control the narrative, lol.”
“People are saying they copied someone? Lol, this concept is so generic.”
“It reminds me of f(x)’s Electric Shock.”
“I’m so tired of the ‘everything is NewJeans’ takes. It’s just a common aesthetic.”
“It’s a concept that every girl group does at some point, but since NewJeans was the most impactful recent example, people probably just mean it reminds them of that.”
“Again with the ‘NewJeans’ talk? So tiring.”
“This is just the typical Instagram film camera aesthetic. Running in a field is such a common trope for both guys and girls. People only think of NewJeans because that’s all they know. Sigh.”
“People said it reminded them of NewJeans, so they mentioned it—why are the comments getting so worked up? Lol.”
“I’m so tired of the ‘everything is NewJeans’ takes. This kind of concept existed even during Girls’ Generation’s time, lol. Some people act like NewJeans invented the film camera aesthetic.”
“As soon as I saw it, I thought of f(x)’s Electric Shock, lol. It’s giving Tumblr aesthetics.”
“I also thought of old Girls’ Generation’s vibe.”
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