Did aespa take a dig at the new HYBE group ILLIT and their agency HYBE in the song “Whiplash?” Netizens think so.
aespa and ILLIT made their long-awaited comeback today with new albums today (October 21). ILLIT made their first comeback with 2nd mini-album “I’LL LIKE YOU” while aespa dropped their 2nd comeback album of the year “Whiplash.”
aespa’s title ‘Whiplash’ has finally dropped, which has already occupied a spot in the Top 10 on major Korean music charts.
However, it’s not just the infectious beat and sleek choreography that’s got everyone talking. Eagle-eyed fans have spotted a possible diss aimed at fellow K-pop group ILLIT.
During Ningning’s verse, she sings “Cats gon’ copy, one idea, two, then the whole look, then deny it yeah.”
Fans believe that this was a dig at ILLIT, who was accused of copying NewJeans’ concept, however, the plagiarism claims were denied by BELIFT LAB.
Previously, aespa was dragged into the HYBE-ADOR conflict when Min Hee Jin revealed a chat with HYBE chairman Bang Si Hyuk during a press conference. In the chat, Chairman Bang was seen asking her to “Step on aespa.”
Later, Min Hee Jin also accused HYBE of pressuring her to inflate NewJeans album sales to surpass aespa’s debut record.
With “Whiplash,” aespa seems to be firing back at HYBE and ILLIT through cleverly veiled references.
On another note, aespa and ILLIT’s new albums are receiving enthusiastic responses from fans, selling like hotcakes. They will officially begin promotional activities with performances on music shows and appearances on entertainment programs.