Why Claims Of TWICE Copying Girls' Generation Concepts Are Complete Bogus

Since they debuted, netizens have accused TWICE of copying Girls’ Generation, with everything from having 9 members to inheriting the title of “The Nation’s Girl Group.”

And with TWICE having just recently announced their comeback, these trolls on web portal Nate are back at it again, claiming TWICE’s new album “Summer Nights” is another copy of Girls’ Generation, and even offered several other “examples” of plagiarism.

However, it’s clear that the instances brought up by these netizens were cherrypicked to make it look like TWICE was trying to replicate Girls’ Generation’s old concepts. While there’s no doubt that Girls’ Generation has helped pave the way for all female idol groups, it’s unfair to say that any similarities could be attributed to plagiarism.

1. White Shirt and Jeans

According to the post, TWICE’s white shirt and jeans concept from their music video for “Heart Shaker” was a direct copy of Girls’ Generation’s “Gee.” While the two might appear a bit similar at first glance, a closer look can reveal very obvious differences.

While Girls’ Generation very clearly had identical matching white T-shirts and blue jeans, the TWICE members all wore different types of white shirts and denim bottoms of all different shades. And while Girls’ Generation’s outfits were used for the album cover for their first mini-album “Gee,” and not the music video, TWICE only used the white outfits to play the “clone” characters in their music video, and not for the album cover.

Girls’ Generation wore their outfit with rollerblades to give off the “girls next door image.”

Meanwhile, TWICE used the white and blue outfits to portray an “artificial” image of trying to keep a straight face in front of their “heart shaker” crush.

In fact, the white shirt and blue jeans outfit is a classic look, and has been used time and time again in. Several examples include:

Dal Shabet for Get Used Jeans

Highlight for Naver x Dispatch

Hank Hill in King Of The Hill

2. Lollipops

Next, the post singled out TWICE’s Japanese single “Candy Pop” jacket cover for copying Girls’ Generation’s “Kissing You”, noting the similarity in the members holding lollipops. However, in addition to lollipops being among one of the most popular and well-known candy snacks around the world, TWICE and Girls’ Generation are clearly not the only groups to have used lollipops in their promotions.

TWICE’s “similar” photo was also only one of several album covers, which also included the group members posing in colorful furry outfits and one of them shopping for snacks. And with TWICE having 9 group members, the same number as Girls’ Generation’s original lineup, it’s easy to see why they’d also use a three-by-three square layout.

GIrls’ Generation’s “Kissing You” was very light and cute – in fact, it’s considered SM Generation’s very last “cute concept” for a girl group.

On the other hand, TWICE’s “Candy Pop” was truly a complete candy concept, including a music video where the setting was a world literally made of candy.

It’s also important to note that TWICE has also used a lollipop on several other occasions, and not just only for their “Candy Pop” promotions.

Even their official lightstick, the beloved Candy Bong, is the shape of a lollipop!

3. Night Sky On The Beach

Perhaps the silliest accusation of all is the suggestion that TWICE’s upcoming album “Summer Nights” is a copy of Girls’ Generation’s party. Not only was Girls’ Generation’s “Party” actually set in the daytime, the photo used for Girls’ Generation was actually a fan edit.

Girls’ Generation’s concept for “Party” was a beach vacation theme set in the daytime.

Meanwhile TWICE’s “Dance The Night Away” concept seems to be on the darker side, and as the name suggests, takes place at night.

New teasers for the release featuring the members in interesting outfits also suggest that TWICE will not be partying in the sun like Girls’ Generation did.

4. Cheerleaders

Claiming that TWICE copied Girls’ Generation’s “Oh!” concept by wearing cheerleader outfits in “Cheer Up” is just plain silly. While “Oh!” was entirely cheerleader-themed, the only hint of that concept in “Cheer Up” was the purple jackets, which was a single outfit out of nine the girls had in their music video.

Girls’ Generation had several similar outfits with the cheerleader theme for their “Oh!” comeback.

Meanwhile, TWICE’s “Cheer Up” comeback featured several different outfits, including traditional Korean hanbok and cowboy denim.

In addition to the difference in variety of outfit concepts between “Oh!” and “Cheer Up,” the cheerleader concept has also been used by countless other K-Pop groups.

Cosmic Girls for “Happy”

CLC for “Chasmisma”

KARA for “We’re With You”

5. Dresses

Of all things, the post even accused TWICE of copying Girls’ Generation’s use of dresses – one of the most common articles of clothing in existence.

Girls’ Generation didn’t even use the pictured dresses in the music video for “Lionheart”, whereas TWICE only used their dresses in the music video, and not in the album itself. The dresses don’t even look remotely similar to each other, neither in level of formality nor in appearance.

Girls’ Generation wore very old-fashioned dresses reminiscent of the mid-20th century.

Meanwhile, TWICE wore dresses that were much more formal and resembled attire for formal balls.

The difference between the two concepts are so drastic that there isn’t even any need for examples.

6. Retro

Lastly, the post tried to accuse TWICE of copying Girls’ Generation’s retro concept from “Dancing Queen” with their music video for “I Want You Back.”

But while “Dancing Queen” used retro as a concept for the memory-inducing music video, TWICE’s use of the retro concept is actually an homage to the song they sang for the video.

“I Want You Back” is an English song by musical legends The Jackson 5, and was released back in 1969. TWICE covered the song for the OST for upcoming Japanese movie Sensei Kunshu.

Of course, ONCEs quickly came to TWICE’s defense, pointing out the clear flaws in the post’s argument.

“What a load of b*llsh*t. Then since I wore skinny jeans before Girls’ Generation did they copy me? Fashion continuously comes back and concepts are all similar, so stop the nonsense. I have no interest in Girls’ Generation or whatever~”
“Stirring the pot.”
“Our concept this time around is horror.”
“Consistently? Then you should show all the concepts why are you only showing parts of it. You’re just jealous because of the teaser.”
“TWICE will do TWICE’s concept. Please mind your own business.”
“I think you can wait until the comeback comes out before going at it with your bs.”

TWICE definitely doesn’t need to copy concepts to succeed! Just look at all the unique concepts they’ve done so far: