Girls’ Generation‘s Taeyeon was recently the target of plagiarism accusations.
Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon | SM Entertainment
On November 5, it was announced that Taeyeon would release her fifth mini album, To. X, on November 27. Following the typical K-Pop release schedule, teaser photos and previews of what to expect from the album have followed, exciting fans for the artist’s latest solo work.
TAEYEON 태연 The 5th Mini Album ‘To. X’
2023.11.27 6PM KST#태연 #TAEYEON #ToX #TAEYEONToX#소녀시대 #GirlsGeneration pic.twitter.com/b44jvTvouH
— TAEYEON Official (@TAEYEONsmtown) November 5, 2023
Many have guessed the release will be about a breakup as a handsome man has appeared in several of her concept images and the hints given in motion teasers.
| SM Entertainment | SM Entertainment
With K-Pop releases, there is sometimes pushback when including someone of the opposite sex, but the pushback surrounding Taeyeon’s release has nothing to do with this.
Instead, the artist has been accused of plagiarizing visuals from one of BTS Jungkook‘s singles.
BTS’s Jungkook | BIGHIT Music
As the release grows closer, highlight videos featuring sounds from the album have been shared. On November 20, the third highlight video, titled “Melt Away,” was published and depicts Taeyeon sitting at a table with the same man from the teaser before showing her alone, signaling a breakup.
TAEYEON 태연 ‘To. X’ Highlight Clip #3 Melt Awayhttps://t.co/4YYrfsK3eo
TAEYEON 태연 The 5th Mini Album ‘To. X’
2023.11.27 6PM KST
Pre-Order & Pre-Save https://t.co/sHbY7Tw7WY#태연 #TAEYEON #ToX #TAEYEONToX#소녀시대 #GirlsGeneration pic.twitter.com/ijuLSfkOA2
— TAEYEON Official (@TAEYEONsmtown) November 20, 2023
Some found this imagery very similar to the dinner scene in Jungkook’s “SEVEN,” where he and actress Han So Hee argue about their relationship.
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sunday saturday friday thursday wednesday tuesday monday week a days seven https://t.co/lTQh09Rmbt pic.twitter.com/vvrn9cwXqS
— vale⁷ (missing my 2seok) (@villamz0) November 21, 2023
have some fucking shame
Lyrics gonna be like JAN FEB MARCH APRUL JUNE JULY..DECEMBER https://t.co/YGwJPJnBID pic.twitter.com/K4cC2l7aLj
— 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚⁷ GLDEN (@purpleskies08) November 20, 2023
However, netizens have quickly come to the female soloist’s defense. Many have stated that several artists have done the dinner table concept many times before, including One Direction.
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People have been eating dinner in music videos since inception—why are you all even accusing Taeyeon of plagiarism over a bside concept???? You all need to touch some really reallllyy reallly fresh grass.
— To TY. (@taengmother) November 20, 2023
Others have pointed out that Taeyeon is referencing her own track “11:11,” which was released in 2017, before the release of “SEVEN.”
| SM Entertainment
not armys acusing taeyeon of copying jungkook’s seven concept because of a restaurant scene this is just a teaser snippet for her bside track and a reference to her past eras (11:11) the only person she’s copying is herself https://t.co/M70NiHVuLN
— To. Paula (@syjungies) November 20, 2023
Y’all accusing Taeyeon of copying, bffr rn. She literally had that scene in 11:11 mv which was 7 yrs ago and this is just a reference to that. Her other concept pics are also refs to her past eras, stop throwing around accusations ffs
https://t.co/c2FwZXYPWw https://t.co/0WTlMDJIYa pic.twitter.com/QUABwi98I7
— H(iatus)aru⁷|| Sarang’s soulmie (@harumoniousbts) November 20, 2023
While netizens may differ in their thoughts on the matter, Taeyeon and Jungkook both put their own spins on the dinner table concept and deserve respect as artists for their hard work.
