On June 26th, NewJeans surprised fans by unveiling a mysterious teaser video for their upcoming song titled “ETA.” This highly anticipated track is set to be one of the three title tracks featured on their upcoming mini album called “Get Up.
Both “ETA” and “Get Up” are scheduled for release on July 21. However, before the album release, NewJeans plans to drop two pre-release tracks, namely “New Jeans” and “Super Shy,” on July 7.
The Controversy Related to ‘ETA’
The recent teaser for “ETA” has left fans intrigued as it cryptically reveals the starring members of the upcoming video: “NewJeans, Eva, Mikel, and Maria.”
This immediately sent people who were from Spain into a frenzy. As they were quick to link the hints in the teaser with the terrorist group ‘ETA’.
ETA, short for Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (“Basque Homeland and Liberty” in Basque), was an armed Basque nationalist and far left separatist organization in the Basque Country. Over time, the organization underwent a transformation, shifting from a promoter of traditional Basque culture to a paramilitary group involved in a series of violent activities, including bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings. These actions were primarily targeted at Spanish territory, with a particular focus on the Southern Basque Country.
There were further links suggesting the concept was related to ETA terrorist group, as the names mentioned in the starring members were all linked with ETA.
Mikel: Mikel Albisu Iriarte (One of the leaders of ETA group)
Maria: María Soledad Iparraguirre (A leading member and wife of Mikel Iriarte)
Eva: Eva Forest (Supported ETA during their resistance to the government of dictator Francisco Franco) / Eva Larrañaga (One of the famous victims)
If these could be called as coincidences, Spanish people further explained that the emphasis on the car in the teaser was likely because ETA did a lot of their assasination attacks by bombing cars. Specially the assassination of Prime Minister Luis Carrero Blanco by bombing his car on 20 December 1973.
There are some who built links between ETA and the release date of NewJeans song, July 21st, the date ETA leaders were summoned in the court for the murder of Miguel Ángel Blanco, with further attacks done on the same date over the years.
Ador’s Statement Regarding ETA
Regarding the song, the agency said, “”ETA’ is an impressive song that combines unique lyrics that resonate with teenagers and a melodic rap that feels like having a conversation with a friend, capturing the distinctive emotions of NewJeans.“
It’s not the first time NewJeans concepts have been questioned specially many believing that the controversial CEO of Ador Min Hee-jin is heavily involved with the concepts, who has previously been accused of oversexulising minors, in song ‘Cookie’ and for using mental illness as an aesthetic in song ‘OMG’.
We have no idea what Ador and Hybe is planning, where they are taking this concept, we just hope it’s a positive outcome, and the song might even be about a completely different thing but cannot deny that they are touching a really sensitive topic, with this marketing gimmick.
