SM Addresses Controversy Over Similarities Between aespa's "Black Mamba" MV And Other Works

SM Entertainment has responded to a controversy over aespa’s music video for their debut single “Black Mamba.”

On December 22, the agency stated, “We contacted the artist and company that are being mentioned related to some scenes in the aespa ‘Black Mamba’ music video, and we spoke with them while explaining our planning intentions and [the group’s] world story.” They continued, “The artist and company understood our agency’s planning and production process and they confirmed that they have no objections to the music video scene.”

aespa’s “Black Mamba” music video became a subject of controversy over apparent similarities between the video and other art. There were allegations that the video appeared to have plagiarized work by German visual artist Timo Helgert (such as in the scene where a flower garden grows in a subway car and another where a large snake moves through the subway) and the virtual girl group K/DA (including a neon-colored monster baring its teeth).

aespa is a new four-member girl group that made their debut on November 17.

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