In the world of art and creativity, the line between "learning from," "drawing inspiration from," and outright "copying" or "plagiarism" has always been blurred, making it a constant source of heated debate. However, every theory of "mere coincidence" has its limits. When the similarities go beyond a single detail and begin appearing repeatedly across multiple elements, it becomes increasingly difficult to dismiss them as α¢¢ι∂єитal convergence.
HYBE, meanwhile, has previously faced accusations—and even legal disputes—over allegedly reusing one group's creative formula for another artist under the same company. In 2024, former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin publicly accused ILLIT of copying NewJeans' entire "production formula," from logo design and overall concept to promotional strategy. Although the dispute has yet to reach a final legal conclusion, the Seoul Central District Court stated that there were reasonable grounds to raise such suspicions.
Before the controversy surrounding ILLIT and NewJeans has even fully settled, HYBE has once again found itself at the center of criticism after being accused of reusing the visual concept from BTS's ARIRANG album for KATSEYE's upcoming release!
Specifically, the release of the tracklist for KATSEYE's upcoming EP WILD—scheduled to arrive on August 14 with six tracks, including the previously released singles "Animal" and "Pinky Up"—was initially met with excitement from fans. However, it didn't take long for the conversation on social media to shift in a completely different direction.
Many ARMYs pointed out that WILD's tracklist design bears striking similarities to BTS's ARIRANG album, released this past March. At the time, ARIRANG's 14-track reveal received widespread praise for its minimalist yet bold graphic direction. Each song title appeared in black text on overlapping ѕтяιρs of bright red tape, creating a highly recognizable visual identity that became closely αѕѕociated with the album's branding.
According to side-by-side comparisons widely shared across social media, it's not just the nearly identical red-and-black color palette that caught people's attention. The arrangement of the paper ѕтяιρs, the textured monochromatic background, and even the use of a similar sans-serif typeface have led many fans to conclude that the two designs share a "remarkable level of similarity."
The debate quickly spread across X and numerous international online forums. Many criticized HYBE for allegedly recycling a visual concept that had already been highly successful for BTS instead of creating a distinct visual identity for KATSEYE. At the same time, many fans emphasized that their frustration was not directed at KATSEYE themselves, but rather at the creative team behind the promotional campaign, arguing that any criticism should be aimed at those responsible for the design decisions.
The controversy has since sparked lively discussions online, with comments such as:
- No hate to the girls but what is this? hybe is fr embarrαѕѕing for setting up the girls like this no originality in that company just reheating bts nachos left and right
- Its marketing strategy for HYBE its all about money . They don't care if their artist gets drag for not putting effort to give a good concept to their artist.
The more we talked about it the more it gets promoted. They did not sing that collab song with ILiit and LSRFM for nothing its not a mistake its intentionally copied to amplify the noise. They need people to talk about and its working LOL. I dont have any hate feelings for them because i know these girls has no say in everything
- tribute to an bts album that was released months ago and is still making records i do not think so. and we blame the company not the girls
- okay imma be the first to say they've always done 'em wrong.. from s3xualizing them to giving them sh1tty songs to now this.. HYBE has always wronged girl groups.. first new jeans now them..
- Hybe tryna set up everyone so bad, truly fcked up. Poor girls deserves so much better
- You don't need diff company when the concept stealer is in your house, and yes no hate to the girls but did the concpt designer really think they can get away with this? These girls are getting one after another mess as a concept too wtf
- They should give katseye more creative freedom. You cant tell me these girls aren't dying to try out theur own ideas
- Can’t their production/creative team (or whatever group of people is responsible for their album release) find any other ideas??? I bet this was intentional because I will not believe anything else otherwise, whatever excuses they come up with for this fiasco!
