As aespa roll out content for their second full album ‘LEMONADE’, the group has been swept up in controversy over alleged plagiarism of LE SSERAFIM.
On May 18, SM Entertainment released ‘LEMONADE’ concept photos showing the aespa members seated inside a neon-green, futuristic-looking car. Some fans quickly pointed out striking similarities to LE SSERAFIM’s ‘Perfect Night’ teaser and music video concept. ‘Perfect Night’ dropped in October 2023, with LE SSERAFIM featuring a pink car as a key visual motif.
Sharp-eyed K-pop fans didn’t let the overlap slide. Online, reactions like “Did aespa copy LE SSERAFIM?” and “The concepts look way too similar” have been spreading fast. Some even claim this isn’t the first time aespa have been accused of borrowing LE SSERAFIM’s concept.
Whether it’s mere coincidence remains unclear, but sparking this kind of debate right before a new album launch is hardly ideal for aespa. Adding to the pressure, there has already been backlash over G-DRAGON’s lyrics in the pre-release track ‘WDA’.
Meanwhile, ‘LEMONADE’ is set for release on the 29th.