BLACKPINK member Jennie is set to make a splash with her upcoming solo single, ‘MANTRA’, and the excitement is palpable among fans. On September 29, her newly formed agency, ODD ATELIER, released a teaser on their YouTube channel, igniting a wave of anticipation and buzz across social media platforms. However, the teaser's styling has stirred up a heated discussion, with some netizens suggesting that Jennie's look draws inspiration from K-Pop's first-generation icon, Lee Hyori.
As a post on Instiz gained traction, many users began to highlight the similarities between Jennie's teaser and Lee Hyori's iconic looks. Some fans noted that certain elements seemed reminiscent of Hyori's ‘10 Minutes’ era, while others pointed to the distinct vibes of her ‘U Go Girl’ performances. Yet, not everyone is convinced that Jennie is merely mimicking the veteran artist. Some believe that Jennie is tapping into a broader retro fashion trend that is currently making a comeback rather than directly copying Lee Hyori.
The debate has sparked a range of reactions online, with one user reflecting, “I didn’t think about it that way, but now that you’ve mentioned it, it does seem similar. I guess we’ll have to see more to find out”, Others were quick to defend Jennie, arguing, “If you’re talking about the clothes, though, that’s a very famous fashion trend.”
Amidst the discussion, some fans even expressed surprise at the comparisons, with one exclaiming, “For a moment, I thought it was Lee Hyori in the photo on the left”. Others found the comparison to be a bit overblown, stating, “It’s a bit too much to compare her with Lee Hyori, LOL. If Lee Hyori were active now with her usual popularity, she would’ve probably taken over BLACKPINK as a solo artist”.
Yet, there were also voices in favor of Jennie's choices, suggesting, “Isn’t she just curating a similar image? We could say she is trying to bring the Lee Hyori vibe. If it fits well, then what’s the problem?” As the discussions continue to unfold, fans eagerly await more details about Jennie's solo project, hoping to see how she will bring her unique style with the inspirations that have sparked such passionate dialogue.
