Following the repercussions from a great controversy of cultural appropriation – who forced them to withdraw from Kcon the 2025 – the group of girls Rookie Kiss of Life has returned under public control. But this time, it is not a question of cultural insensitivity. It is an alleged plagiarism.
As part of the advantage of their next exit 224The S2 entertainment group has recently dropped a new round of teaser images. While the emotional excuses of the member Julie during a live broadcast seem to soften a certain public backlash, the group’s promotional campaign has aroused new criticisms online.
The main source of disputes? A series of photos of concept teaser showing the members standing on a bright and lighting box in white on a black background. The style and set design immediately designed comparisons with the previous concept of itzy for their album Kill my doubt – which had surprisingly similar visual elements.
Many Netizen have found too specific similarities to be a coincidence. While some fans have defended the kiss of life by saying that similar aesthetic is common in K-pop, the criticism is amplified by the already blurred image of the group.
The controversy does not stop there. A teaser with member Haneul attracted attention to another reason: his dress and hairstyle had a surprising similarity with Jisoo Di Blackpink in his “earthquake” viral video. The critics accused the group of imitating Jisoo’s iconic look, unleashing yet another debate on originality with respect to the influence in K-pop.
Some Netizen claimed that similarities could simply reflect Jisoo’s influence in the sector, suggesting that his visual style has become a trendsetter. However, the times could not be worse for Kiss of Life, while trying to recover from the recent repercussions.
While the group is preparing for the release of 224All eyes are on how they – and their agency – respond to these growing concerns. In a sector where conceptual originality is highly examined, even the smallest false step can rekindle disputes. For Kiss of Life, the road to redemption seems more steep than ever.
