Fans online have accused LE SSERAFIM of copying Red Velvet’s iconic “Chill Kill” concept, sparking widespread discussion across social media and Korean forums. The debate, which began on X (formerly Twitter), quickly went viral, reaching Korean forums like theqoo, where a post highlighting the similarities has accumulated over 50,000 views and hundreds of comments.
The controversy stems from LE SSERAFIM’s teasers for the Japanese version of their song “Crazy,” set to release on December 11. The group’s teaser images, featuring members dressed in black-and-white outfits with a haunting, vintage atmosphere, led many K-pop fans to draw comparisons to Red Velvet’s “Chill Kill” concept, which debuted in 2023 and became widely praised for its originality and eerie aesthetic.
A post on theqoo titled “LE SSERAFIM’s Japanese Comeback Concept Mirrors Red Velvet’s ‘Chill Kill’” detailed specific similarities between the two concepts. The user provided side-by-side comparisons of LE SSERAFIM’s teasers with Red Velvet’s “Chill Kill” images, highlighting the eerie stairway scenes, dark room settings, and even the wing props, all of which seemed reminiscent of Red Velvet’s theme.
The post emphasized that Red Velvet’s “Chill Kill” concept was highly praised for its fresh and unique vibe, and that the striking overlap between LE SSERAFIM’s teaser and Red Velvet’s concept was too significant to ignore. The poster added, “Even if they used the same artist, a company’s responsibility is to make the concepts distinct. But HYBE has a history of overlapping visuals with SM artists.”
Comments from Netizens
The comments under the TheQoo post further illustrate fans’ disappointment, with many questioning why similar issues seem to occur repeatedly within HYBE’s artist lineup. Here are some translated reactions from the post:
- “They’re trying to brush this off because they used the same artist? This issue happens too often to be a coincidence.”
- “They’ve copied again… it’s embarrassing that they lack originality and keep doing this.”
- “The quality is so much lower, you can tell immediately.”
- “I don’t even understand why they forced this concept for ‘Crazy’ — it doesn’t fit.”
- “Looking at the photos, I genuinely thought it was Red Velvet at first. The quality just isn’t there.”
In defense, some LE SSERAFIM fans argue that the similarities are due to both groups working with the same photographer, Cho Gi Seok, who previously collaborated with LE SSERAFIM for their UNFORGIVEN teasers. However, other fans are unconvinced, claiming that it’s the responsibility of HYBE’s creative team to prevent overlaps, especially given the distinct horror-inspired reputation of Red Velvet’s concepts.
This isn’t the first time HYBE has faced accusations of mirroring SM Entertainment artists. Certain elements in the “Crazy” teaser were even compared to Red Velvet’s “Birthday” concept trailer, suggesting that these overlaps might extend beyond just “Chill Kill.”
As the debate rages on, it highlights a recurring challenge in K-pop’s increasingly competitive industry, where companies and artists face growing scrutiny from fans who expect distinctive and original concepts.
Source: theqoo and KrB
