BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE and more: K-pop idols caught in plagiarism scandals

Nothing gets fans riled up quite like the accusation that their favorite artist might be copying someone else's work or being copied. From similar stage designs to suspiciously familiar aesthetics, the K-pop industry has seen its fair share of plagiarism controversies. These incidents often spark heated debates in online communities, where fans become amateur detectives, scrutinizing every detail to uncover the truth behind the similarities. Here's a look at some of the most memorable plagiarism scandals that have rocked K-pop.

Nothing gets fans riled up quite like the accusation that their favorite artist might be copying someone else's work or being copied. From similar stage designs to suspiciously familiar aesthetics, the K-pop industry has seen its fair share of plagiarism controversies. These incidents often spark heated debates in online communities, where fans become amateur detectives, scrutinizing every detail to uncover the truth behind the similarities. Here's a look at some of the most controversial plagiarism scandals that have rocked K-pop.

Upon BLACKPINK’s debut, controversy ignited over their music video for ‘Whistle’, which drew comparisons to Red Velvet's ‘One Of These Nights’ MV. Netizens pointed out several similarities, from scenes of members in a car to gatherings around a round table, suggesting that the girl group had mimicked elements of Red Velvet's work. Compounding the issue, both MVs shared the same director, fueling accusations of plagiarism. However, these claims were met with skepticism as fans highlighted distinct differences between the two videos. Despite the initial backlash, ‘Whistle’ garnered immense popularity with high views and positive feedback. The song propelled BLACKPINK to make K-pop history as the fastest girl group to achieve their first win, securing their debut victory just 13 days after their official debut.

Following their return from the 2018 Billboard Music Awards in America, BTS found themselves embroiled in controversy. During their comeback show, where they showcased their hit song ‘Fake Love’ with meticulously curated outfits and stage setups, the group garnered praise for their performance. However, their success was overshadowed by accusations from EXO-L fans who claimed BTS had mirrored EXO’s iconic ‘MAMA’ music video outfits from six years prior, particularly black cloaks and a haunting stage setup. The heated debate ignited a social media war between ARMY and EXO-L supporters, with ARMY vehemently defending BTS, citing examples of similar concepts used across various entertainment platforms over the years, dismissing claims of plagiarism as unfounded.

BLACKPINK’s Lisa recently made headlines with her solo comeback single ‘ROCKSTAR’, yet controversy swirls around accusations of plagiarism against the idol. Cinematographer Gabriel Moses, known for his work on Travis Scott’s ‘FE!N’ music video, accused Lisa of copying a scene from his production. Moses shared comparisons on Instagram, highlighting similarities between a frame from Lisa's ‘ROCKSTAR’ video and his own work, demanding proper credit. This isn’t the only plagiarism claim Lisa faces for ‘ROCKSTAR’. Chinese designer Yue Yang also accused her of wearing a replica of her original star-shaped top without permission, sharing her design process as evidence. Some fans have come to Lisa's defense, pointing out that similar visuals are commonly used in the industry, and noting that the star-shaped top design is widely seen.

Before ‘Cheer Up’ by TWICE became the smash hit of the year, it faced accusations of copying the concept of SNSD's ‘Oh’. The similarities were striking: both groups featured 9 members clad in shorts and baseball jackets. TWICE even adopted a cheerleader theme with playful and bright imagery similar to SNSD's ‘Oh’ MV. These parallels sparked considerable criticism, with many accusing TWICE of deliberately emulating SNSD and following the well-trodden path of SM's girl groups. Despite the controversy, ‘Cheer Up’ soared to become one of the biggest hits of 2016, matching the immense popularity of ‘Oh’.