Today (May 20), the massively popular K-pop girl group NewJeans has found itself in hot water due to its concept and aesthetic. A post alleging the group’s similarities with the ‘90s Mexican girl group Jeans is currently going viral online — and fans are very upset.
NewJeans’ aesthetic is inspired by the ‘90s and early ‘00s, so it’s no surprise that they would have similarities with girl groups of that time. But after the controversial CEO of the company that manages them, Min Hee-jin, accused ILLIT, another ‘90s-inspired Korean girl group, of copying them, it’s clear that NewJeans’ concept should be considered “unique.” But, according to fans, it’s actually the exact opposite.
Jeans, now known as JNS, was a Mexican girl group that was active from 1996 through 2008. They were later reunited for a comeback tour and album and are still active as JNS. For the most part, they were a four-member group, with several members integrating or leaving throughout its history. At one point in the early aughts, RBD’s Dulce María was part of the group.
Most of the resemblance can, at first, be easily dismissed by NewJeans’ general ‘90s aesthetic. Sure, the fashion looks the same because it’s a late-‘90s and early ‘00s style. But by comparing the two groups closely, fans noticed there were too many similarities for it to be a total coincidence. The viral post breaks it down: it’s in the styling, the album packaging, the choreography, and the music video concept.
It’s important to clarify that the post doesn’t mention any comparisons with the music itself; NewJeans’ songs are more R&B, while JNS’ songs are classic ‘90s bubblegum pop. So, on the other side of this debate, Bunnies (or NewJeans fans) defend them by saying the Korean girl group’s concept will always be met with copying controversies when comparing them with groups from the ‘90s and early aughts. Why? Because it’s a nostalgic concept that takes inspiration from those groups.
Neither NewJeans nor JNS have commented on the viral topic.