Former IZ*ONE member Lee Chae Yeon immediately attracted criticism before the official release of her solo debut project.
In September, Lee Chae Yeon's agency WM Entertainment confirmed that the idol would mark her solo debut this month. The company has been sharing details about the project on its social media pages, including the album design.
She would be the fourth ex-member of IZ*ONE to debut as a soloist after the project girl group's disbandment, following Kwon Eunbi, Jo Yu Ri, and Choi Yena.
However, she received criticism ahead of her debut.
Did Ex-IZ*ONE Member Lee Chae Yeon Copy SHINee Key's Album?
Fans recently noticed the similarities between Key's Gasoline album and Lee Chae Yeon's Hush Rush. They alleged that the teasers for Hush Rush contain font and color combinations like Key's album.
Even the CDs both have heart images.
In a report shared by Star News, WM expressed its sadness due to the rumors surrounding Lee Chae Yeon's album. It explained that the project has a distinct image and unique story compared to what Key created.
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"When designing this album, we made use of the objects and colors that are often used to show horror or a Halloween vibe. In the case of the font and the heart image, WM and our outsourcing company paid to use them as they fit well with the overall mood of the album," it said.
The company also apologized to fans who received such bad news about Lee Chae Yeon's debut.
Key's agency, SM Entertainment, has not commented on the matter. But fans still questioned WM's explanation and urged the company to change the design.
IZ*ONE Disbanded
Lee Chae Yeon's debut will come years after IZ*ONE disbanded as a project girl group to finally allow the trainees to pursue what they want.
The group was created through the Mnet competition show, Produce 48. She made it to the final 12 members alongside Jang Won Young, Sakura Miyawaki, Jo Yu Ri, Choi Ye Na, An Yu Jin, Nako Yabuki, Kang Hye Won, Hitomi Honda, Kim Chae Won, and Kim Min Ju.
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