SM Entertainment responds to controversy surrounding aespa's 'Black Mamba' music video

SM Entertainment’s newest girl group, aespa, was swept with accusations surrounding the visuals of their debut music video. The agency has now decided to respond to the allegations to put the alleged issue to rest.

SM Entertainment released a statement Tuesday regarding the allegations made towards aespa’s music video for their debut single “Black Mamba.” The music video was alleged to have plagiarized the work of German visual artist Timo Helgert and a virtual girl group named K/DA. The scenes that were allegedly plagiarized were scenes where a flower garden is growing within a subway car, a large snake slithering through a subway, and a neon-colored monster showing its teeth.

In the statement, SM Entertainment revealed that they contacted the artist and the company regarding the alleged scenes in the music video. The agency further noted that they also informed them about their concept for the group and their intentions in creating the group’s story. SM went on to say that both the artist and the company involved did not object to the said scenes that were in the music video.

Having made their debut back in November, the group appeared in Choi Hwa Jung’s Power Time radio show, where they revealed how they were cast by the agency and what their trainee days were like. Giselle was the only member who auditioned to get cast, while Ningning, Winter, and Karina were spotted by casting managers. Ningning shared that she had already entered so many singing competitions in China, and officials from the agency watched videos of her singing and wanted to cast her.

Winter shared that she was cast by the agency through her performance at a dance festival. Like Ningning, she also initially thought the casting managers were trying to scam her as they did not mention that they were from SM Entertainment. Karina also had the same thoughts when she was cast. She shared that before entering the company, she was very active on social media and received a direct message.

Recalling their days as trainees, Ningning shared that her favorite memories as a trainee was being able to buy good food with the members. However, Karina noted that they had to get back in shape quickly after eating snacks and bread, but said that it was fun as well.