Aespa, a K-pop phenomenon, made a spectacular breakthrough in the Japanese music scene on July 3 with their eagerly anticipated debut single, “Hot Mess.”
The ensemble displayed clothing that took cues from futuristic anime designs, staying loyal to their unique sci-fi and techno concept. Their appearance was enhanced by accessories inspired by robots and Gundam designs, which gave them an anime-like appearance.
Karina’s Outfit Sparks Controversy
Karina was the member whose attire stood out the most. She donned a costume with purple and white color scheme, complete with mechanical wings and headpieces shaped like horns. Though it looked great, the costume drew unwanted attention.
aespa wore looks from aqualixunsu custom X Gundam and Lee Woomin aespa second stylist, styling aespa Japanese debut single Hot Mess#aespa#aespaHotMess pic.twitter.com/1sKWT5dpsv
— Maxx (@sweetener2323) July 3, 2024
this is probably the gundams they used for inspo
— ً (@synkjjk) July 2, 2024
hi-v (karina)
MBF-02+EW454F (winter)
MBF-P03secondL (ningning)
MBF-02VV (giselle) https://t.co/l8bZ2b1OE2 pic.twitter.com/ScdQsqOn4u
Many admirers and detractors started drawing comparisons between Karina’s attire and that of Canary, a recent addition to Bang Si Hyuk‘s new virtual girl group SYNDI8. It’s difficult to overlook how similar they are, especially the headgear, which strikingly resembles Karina’s.
Accusation Against Bang Si Hyuk
There has been debate regarding Karina’s and Canary’s similar outfits. Charges have been made against Bang Si Hyuk and the HYBE Labels crew for allegedly taking excessive inspiration from Karina.
Critics have pointed out that, while having distinct syllable arrangements, the Korean names Karina and Canary sound identical. The issue is further fueled by the fact that Canary and Karina have the same MBTI type and height.
Bang Si Hyuk has faced strong criticism as a result of the scandal, with some denouncing his behavior as “disgusting” and accusing him of having an unhealthy fixation with Karina.
The SYNDI8 organization as a whole has also come under fire for a number of problems, such as dubious design decisions and inaccurate portrayals of its members. Concerns over originality and respect continue to exist within the K-pop business, as seen by the comparisons and complaints.
