• K-Netizens Curiosity— How Do ILLIT Members Feel About Being Labeled as a "Copycat Group"?

    ILLIT has found themselves at the center of an ongoing feud between ADOR and HYBE, as they have been accused of copying NewJeans.

    Recently, Korean netizens have turned their attention towards the young members of ILLIT, wondering how they feel about being embroiled in the latest controversy within HYBE and being labeled as a "copycat group."

    This discussion was sparked by a netizen on the popular online community Nate Pann, who questioned whether ILLIT members were fully aware of the situation.

    The netizen stated, "What do you mean ILLIT members don't know anything? lol," and cited a recent interview with the ILLIT members.

    During the 'Cult Two' show interview, the members spoke up about their recent success with 'Magnetic.' Yunah shared, "I want to express my gratitude to the company staff. To all the members of our team at Belift Lab, we all know how much effort went into our debut album. We're really proud. Even if we don't express our gratitude often, I think you all know our hearts."

    The netizen claimed that ILLIT had shared this after Min Hee Jin released her statement on April 24, suggesting that ILLIT members were well aware of the situation between ADOR and the accusations of them being copycats.

    Korean netizens have been vocal about their thoughts:

    "I mean they should express their gratitude. What else would they say?"

    "I think their company needs to take the blame, not the girls."

    "It's true that they did copy but I think this was a statement with affection for the team. But to the ILLIT members, you need to compare yourselves and see for yourself. When your contracts end, you guys should find your own paths and leave."

    "They're underaged and rookies. What do they know?"

    "They might not know anything, but not knowing is still a problem. In a way, presenting a project to the public as a representative means you should know certain things, right? Even if idols don't need to know everything, if they just dance and sing without knowing where their choreography came from, or what motivated the concept they're presenting, then what's the difference between them and dolls? So, unless they're going to explain everything from A to Z like Min Hee Jin does, they should raise the debut age range, seriously…"

    "I feel bad for them and wish them success."

    As the controversy continues, fans are eagerly awaiting more updates from ILLIT and how they navigate through this challenging situation.

    Source(1)

  • Architect Calls Out KBS Drama for Hammering Nails Into Cultural Heritage Site—What Really Happened?

    A recent KBS drama shoot starring Girls' Generation's Seohyun and 2PM's Taecyeon has sparked controversy after accusations of damaging a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    On January 2, architect Min Seo Hong took to Facebook to criticize the production of the upcoming drama I Took the Male Lead's First Night, which used Byeongsan Seowon, a historic Korean Confucian academy, as a filming location.

    His post, titled "An Account of What I Witnessed at Byeongsan Seowon," detailed shocking allegations about the crew's actions.

    Min shared that he visited Byeongsan Seowon on December 30, only to find the site bustling with drama staff.

    "As I approached, I saw crew members moving around. At first, I didn’t realize it was a filming set, but when I entered the seowon, I felt uneasy knowing this historic site was being used this way," he wrote.

    What he saw inside was alarming. According to Min, props were scattered throughout the seowon, and staff were hammering nails into wooden pillars to hang lights.

    When he confronted them, they reportedly dismissed his concerns, saying, "We already have permission from Andong City. If you’re curious, contact them."

    Determined to take action, Min contacted Andong City’s Cultural Heritage Department. A city official admitted they had approved the filming but appeared unaware of the damage being done.

    "When I asked if they knew about the nails in the wooden pillars, they seemed flustered and promised to order their removal immediately," Min shared.

    Experts later informed Min that incidents like this aren’t uncommon, with some modern heritage sites even being dismantled for filming. "People might think hammering nails is minor, but in traditional Korean houses, it’s a big deal to even drive in one nail. For cultural heritage, this should never happen," he said.

    Min’s biggest concern is the decision to allow such a valuable site, designated as Historic Site No. 260 and a UNESCO World Heritage site, to be used for filming at all. "This was a KBS drama production, and it’s deplorable that they showed such little care for cultural heritage," he added.

    The drama, I Took the Male Lead's First Night, is already drawing backlash before its release, with many netizens expressing anger over the alleged damage to the historic site. Comments online include:

    "Why are cultural heritage sites being used as filming locations in the first place?"

    "If this is true, KBS owes an apology not just to viewers but to the nation."

    "Respect for cultural heritage should come before making a drama."

    Neither KBS nor the drama's production team has released an official statement regarding the allegations.

    However, the issue has sparked heated debate, with many calling for stricter regulations on the use of heritage sites for filming.

    Source: [1]