HYBE's New Girl Group TUIDE Accused of Copying NewJeans Beat

South Korean entertainment company HYBE is facing renewed criticism after its upcoming seven‑member girl group TUIDE was accused of copying the beat from NewJeans' song “Cool With You.” The controversy erupted when a teaser video released on August 2, 2026 showed TUIDE members practicing choreography to a short five‑second beat that many fans said sounded identical to the NewJeans track. A side‑by‑side comparison video went viral on social media, prompting a heated debate over whether the similarity constitutes plagiarism or merely reflects the use of a common UK garage rhythm.

Fans of NewJeans demanded that HYBE stop the alleged copying, while others argued that the brief beat is a generic genre element and not a deliberate infringement. Critics also questioned HYBE's strategy of launching multiple groups with closely similar sounds, suggesting it could dilute brand identity and saturate the market. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions in the K‑pop industry over originality, branding, and the reuse of musical styles.