HYBE's Plagiarism Scandals: A Shocking Timeline

A post on the wildly popular Korean forum Pann has become the talk of the town—or, let’s be honest, more like the virtual gossip terrace. With a staggering 144,000 views, this post has sparked fervent debates about the seemingly endless string of plagiarism accusations swirling around HYBE and its most recent roster of artists. It’s as if we’ve wandered into a reality show where the plot twist is a ‘who wore it better’ contest—only the stakes are far higher and the eye rolls are even more dramatic.

The juicy compilation kicks off with TWS, the latest boy group from HYBE, who stand accused of something quite scandalous: logo plagiarism. Yes, if you’re wondering what that is, it’s essentially bending the rules of creativity while maintaining a poker face. Allegedly, TWS has taken a not-so-subtle cue from the aesthetic of ONEUS. And if that weren’t enough, they’ve caught flak for uncanny similarities to the music videos for GD&TOP’s “Knock Out” and NCT U’s “Baggy Jeans.” Apparently, TWS didn’t get the memo that originality is the new black—much to the chagrin of their fans.

Then there’s KATSEYE, another debut from this year, which decided to name its fandom EYEKONs. It’s almost endearing really—like a toddler trying to mimic an older sibling but forgetting it’s actually called “IKONIC.” For those in the back who might have missed it, EYEKONs feels like a classic case of “borrowed but not quite bought.” If that’s not a recipe for a Twitter meltdown, I don’t know what is.

But wait, there’s more! ILLIT, another girl group, stirred the pot earlier this year when their fandom, LILLIES, attracted backlash for resembling BLACKPINK Lisa’s fans and, heaven forbid, the fanbase of a little-known group called NMIXX. For a moment, it seemed like fans were playing a chaotic game of ‘Where’s Waldo?’ only instead of a striped shirt, they were looking for a shred of originality.

And speaking of chaos, even members of SYNDI8—a virtual pop sensation that seems to have been plucked straight from an animated series—have not escaped unscathed. One member, Kanari, has drawn comparisons to aespa’s Karina on every front imaginable: height, outfits, personality types. It’s like the K-Pop universe has its very own mirror reflection, and consumers are just waiting for a reality TV show to showcase the madness.

As if this wasn’t enough drama, LE SSERAFIM has also found itself in the plagiarism spotlight, enduring accusations regarding their songs and performances that echo artists like Rosalia, Tyla, and SZA. Simply put, if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then HYBE’s artists are showering their inspirations with compliments as if they were at an awards show.

As the post continues to gain traction—now exceeding 70,000 views—Netizens don’t just sit idly by. They share theories and observations that run the spectrum from incredulity to outright conspiracy. Some even speculate that HYBE is orchestrating a strategic media narrative, tucking some controversies under the rug to maintain a pristine public image. After all, when you’ve got rumors simmering like a pot of ramen, best keep that lid on.

The pièce de résistance? The most liked comment on the post brings into light the enigmatic figure of Scooter Braun, CEO of HYBE America, asking whether he actually needs to weigh in on this chaos. It’s like the perfect cherry on top of an already chaotic sundae. Who says K-Pop is all glitz and glam? Sometimes, it’s a wild ride filled with creativity, confusion, and a dash of moral ambivalence. And isn’t that what makes it all the more delicious?