LE SSERAFIM’s Upcoming Comeback Sparks Controversy Over Allegations of Plagiarism

On Friday, November 1, LE SSERAFIM unveiled the concept photos and trailer for their eagerly awaited comeback, which features the Japanese version of their popular track, “CRAZY.”Almost immediately, these visuals attracted considerable scrutiny as fans of Red Velvet and other netizens accused the group and their agency of copying concepts.

Accusations of Concept Similarity

Critics noted that LE SSERAFIM’s new aesthetic closely resembled that of Red Velvet’s recent comeback for “Chill Kill.”While some netizens condemned the girl group for purportedly mimicking Red Velvet’s style, others rushed to defend LE SSERAFIM, asserting that the horror-themed concepts were part of their established identity since their last year’s return with the album “UNFORGIVEN.”

Supporters also argued that Red Velvet does not exclusively own this stylistic approach, highlighting that many K-pop artists have explored similar themes in their work. A notable point raised by fans was the involvement of photographer Choi Gi-seok, who was responsible for the visual content of both “UNFORGIVEN”and “Chill Kill,”suggesting that the perceived similarities stemmed from a shared creative direction rather than direct imitation.

Mixed Reactions from Fans

The backlash triggered a wave of diverse opinions on social media, compelling observers to engage in the discussion. Here are some reactions from the online community:

“Maybe LE SSERAFIM staff is running out of ideas, so they decided to be the second Red Velvet lmao. It’s too obvious,” a fan wrote.

“Close enough, welcome back to the Red Velvet ‘Chill Kill’ era,” said another fan on X.

“Red Velvet will always be the trendsetters for concepts in K-pop,” commented another user.

“Not Red Velvet being on the mood board again,” remarked an X user.

Despite the criticisms, fans staunchly defended LE SSERAFIM’s approach in light of their artistic history:

“This looks like ‘Ch—’ no, it resembles ‘UNFORGIVEN’ and the bloody rose aesthetic. You don’t own that vibe,” asserted an X user.

“Don’t know how to break this to the detractors, but LE SSERAFIM have BEEN doing this vibe for concept photos,” commented a netizen.

“Since people have so much to say about this, it’s literally Cho Gi-seok’s style, and they’ve worked with him before for ‘UNFORGIVEN’,” another netizen added.

“Referencing ‘The Shining’ and having general moody vibes isn’t plagiarizing, RV God,” said yet another X user.

Background on LE SSERAFIM

LE SSERAFIM, a five-member girl group launched by HYBE Labels’ Source Music in May 2022, comprises members Sakura, Kim Chae-won, Huh Yun-jin, Kazuha, and Hong Eunchae. The group’s name is derived from an anagram of “I’m Fearless,”reflecting their confident image. Although the members do not have set positions, Kim Chae-won serves as the group leader.

Since their debut, LE SSERAFIM has attracted significant attention for their innovative musical style and captivating performances. Their noteworthy tracks include “UNFORGIVEN,””ANTIFRAGILE,””Smart,””EASY,””Sour Grapes,”and “Fearless.”Their latest mini-album, “CRAZY,”was released on August 30, 2024, featuring not just the title track but also additional high-energy songs that quickly gained popularity. The group is now preparing for another release.

Excitingly, on December 11, LE SSERAFIM will drop their third Japanese single, “CRAZY.”This single album will present three tracks, including Japanese versions of “CRAZY”and “EASY,”along with an unreleased original Japanese song that fans eagerly anticipate.

With ongoing creative output and comebacks, LE SSERAFIM’s fanbase is abuzz with enthusiasm for what’s next in store for this dynamic girl group.

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