ILLIT's new song is being hotly discussed online due to its striking resemblance to an unreleased NewJeans demo, orchestrated by Min Hee Jin.

In an online forum, several users pointed out the similarities between the track “IYKYK,” from ILLIT’s recent album, and a NewJeans demo performed by Min Hee Jin at the “2024 Hyundai Card Da Vinci Motel” event. They pointed out marked similarities in the melodies and rhythms.

Netizens have claimed that the beats of the two tracks are "almost identical," making it difficult to distinguish the two works when listening to them without prior information. This situation has rekindled tensions between Min Hee Jin with NewJeans and ILLIT under HYBE Labels, following previous accusations of plagiarism by Min Hee Jin towards BELIFT's producers.

However, some urge caution, recommending waiting for the opinion of music professionals before drawing conclusions. One opinion suggests that the similarity could be the result of the two tracks' shared use of a UK garage beat.

Here are some reactions online:

• “A lot of people would have been shocked if Min Hee Jin hadn't released the demo early and NewJeans had used that beat.”
• “The beat is exactly the same, right? I saw the presentation, and it was almost all revealed. I thought there was a reason.”
• “There’s a reason why Min Hee Jin released it first.”
• “If you listen to the instrumental, it sounds really similar.”
• “Wow… this is happening without any embarrassment.”
• “Why do you think Min Hee Jin revealed everything so openly? Because she knew those guys would act like this.”
• “The beat is similar.”
• “Both use a UK garage beat, that's why they sound similar.”
• "If Min Hee Jin hadn't released it first, they would have definitely accused NewJeans of plagiarism when they released a song with that beat. They always do that."
• “The beat is similar, but the melody doesn't have the NewJeans vibe at all, so even if NewJeans released this song, it would sound completely different.”
• “It’s similar… It seems like they published it intentionally.”
• "I think I understand why they released it first, haha. Imagine if ILLIT had released it first this time and then NewJeans came out with a similar melody. You can imagine the reaction, haha."
• “But the demo sounds much better. Why is that?”
• “This is really too much… Do they have to go so far as to copy in this way?”
• "They knew it was leaked and then they released it. Wow, they're blatantly copying."
• “It’s incredible…”

What is your opinion on this matter?