New “I-LAND” Reality Show Receives Criticism From (G)I-DLE Fans
What’s in a name? A lot, according to the (G)I-DLE fans who aren’t happy about the name of Mnet‘s upcoming show, I-LAND.
I-LAND is the first collaborative project under BELIFT LAB Incorporations (BELIFT): a joint venture between Big Hit Entertainment and CJ ENM. This upcoming reality show will follow participants as they work toward becoming the next generation of K-Pop artists in a competitive setting.
The show’s name is rubbing some Neverlands the wrong way, for several reasons. Firstly, “I-LAND” (a combination of the “I” in “(G)I-DLE” and “land” in “Neverland”) is the name of (G)I-DLE’s first world tour, which was originally scheduled to begin on April 4 in Bangkok.
The tour has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At one time, “I-LAND” was also under consideration for (G)I-DLE’s fandom name.
I-LAND WAS PRACTICALLY ONE OF THE OPTIONS FOR IDLE's FANDOM NAME YALL I JUST REMEMBERED A VLIVE WHERE THEY SAID IT
— shinn🖤🤍네버랜드 (@miyeontastic) May 8, 2020
I-LAND is very important for idle and nevies
1. It was going to be the girls' first tour and it was going to be the first time that fans see them.
2. Name has deep meaning.
3.(I = IDLE)&(LAND = NEVERLAND)
4.I-Land was going to be the name of the fandom before.#cube_protect_gidle pic.twitter.com/SjkEthRHM0— Maryarmyland #GIDLE_OMG (@maryarmynevie) May 8, 2020
Furthermore, fans claim that this isn’t the first time (G)I-DLE has been “plagiarized”, citing a previous incident with their song “Lion”.
fck y'all for saying we're over dramatic.
LION was written by sy, she worked day and night for months to perfect it.
I-LAND was supposed to be their FIRST WORLD TOUR. Unfortunately it was postponed.
if it happened to ur faves you'd be upset too.#cube_protect_gidle
— chai ❂ nsfr (@ksksksksksoojin) May 8, 2020
idle was plagiarized TWICE. why can’t people be a little bit more creative and come up with their own ideas instead of copying others? especially since soyeon worked so hard on producing lion and idle was so excited about their first world tour. #cube_protect_gidle @G_I_DLE pic.twitter.com/lmONwSE4OE
— 우기holic (@yuqiholic) May 8, 2020
These Neverlands are not faulting Big Hit Entertainment or Mnet for the naming controversy, but rather CJ ENM.
CJ ENM was responsible for idle's world tour right? they copyrighted [i-land] for the mnet show right after idle postponed their tour to next year :// pic.twitter.com/hfXAbu0H1X
— pia⁷ (@ethnicmys) May 8, 2020
The problem isn't about who 'owns the word' it's just obviously weird that CJENM would be involved in a (G)I-DLE tour called 'I-LAND' and then when it gets cancelled they give the name to another project.
I-LAND would've been idle's first tour of course we'd be upset?? https://t.co/OoEoWCl3aQ
— 밥 (@yshfae) May 8, 2020
Pls army can you understand that I-LAND is unique for us, for Neverland I-LAND means "land of idle and Neverland" 😔 we didn’t say it’s BH and BTS fault but CJenm ! Our world tour isn’t cancelled but postponed ! If they didn’t change the name, it’s idle and it’s unfair, thank u pic.twitter.com/gcgdirnEgJ
— miyuso (@miyuso_gidle) May 8, 2020
On Twitter, Neverlands are now reaching out to CUBE Entertainment with the hashtag #cube_protect_gidle in the hopes that the agency will address this matter.
To Nevies:
1. Be Polite to protect (G)I-DLE & Neverland reputation & marketing value
2. Focus on: demand Cube respond about Lion (& I-Land) issues + protect the artists
3. Be Loud & Clear, our voice will be heard
4. Trend #cube_protect_gidle
5. Report anyone attack Idle to (N)OW— Duckie🖤 (@takanade) May 8, 2020
