Fans online accused LE SSERAFIM of copying Red Velvet’s iconic “Chill Kill” concept, sparking widespread discussion on 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 amassed over 50,000 views and hundreds of comments.
The controversy stems from LE SSERAFIM’s teasers for the Japanese version of their song “Crazy,” out December 11. The group’s teaser images, featuring members dressed in black and white outfits with a vintage and eerie vibe, led many K-pop to draw comparisons to Red Velvet’s “Chill Kill” concept, which debuted in 2023 and is was widely praised for its originality and haunting 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 between the LE SSERAFIM teasers and Red Velvet’s “Chill Kill” visuals, highlighting the creepy stair scenes, darkroom settings, and even the props on the wings, all of which seemed reminiscent the Red Velvet theme.
The post pointed out that Red Velvet’s “Chill Kill” concept was highly praised for its fresh and unique vibe, and that the striking overlap between the LE SSERAFIM teaser and Red Velvet’s concept was too significant to ignore. The poster added: “Even if you use the same artist, a company’s responsibility is to make the concepts distinct. But HYBE has a history of visual overlap with SM artists.
The comments under TheQoo’s post further illustrate fans’ disappointment, with many wondering why similar issues seem to repeatedly occur within HYBE’s artist lineup. Here are some reactions translated from the post:
- “Are they trying to ignore it because they used the same artist? This problem happens too often to be a coincidence.”
- “They copied again… it’s embarrassing that they lack originality and continue to do so.”
- “The quality is much lower, you notice it immediately.”
- “I don’t even understand why they forced this concept for ‘Crazy’: it’s not good.”
- “Looking at the photos, I actually 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 the fact that both groups work with the same photographer, Cho Gi Seok, who previously collaborated with LE SSERAFIM for their UNFORGIVEN teaser. However, other fans are unconvinced and argue that it is the HYBE creative team’s responsibility to avoid overlap, especially given the distinct horror-inspired reputation of Red Velvet’s concepts.
This is not the first time HYBE has faced accusations of mirroring SM Entertainment artists. Some elements in the “Crazy” teaser have even been compared to the concept trailer for Red Velvet’s “Birthday,” suggesting that these overlaps may extend beyond just “Chill Kill.”
As the debate rages, it highlights a recurring challenge in the increasingly competitive K-pop industry, where companies and artists face increasing scrutiny from fans who expect distinctive and original concepts.
Source: theqoo and KrB
