Some think it can’t be a coincidence.
Koreaboo
1 hour ago
Though not as active as they once were, SM Entertainment’s five member gem Red Velvet continue to spark heated plagiarism debates among K-Pop fans.
The girl group has redefined how important a concept is to a K-Pop comeback time and time again, so it’s not surprising that fans often debate if other groups have been inspired by their work.
One of the most loved comebacks, conceptually and musically, from the girl group in recent years has been their third studio album, Chill Kill.
In fact, ever since its release on November 2023, five different groups have been hit with scathing criticism from Korean netizens for “copying” themes and motifs from Red Velvet’s eerie fairy tale.
1. NCT DREAM
After NCT DREAM’s DREAM()SCAPE concept images were released, some fans noticed what they described as visual similarities to Chill Kill’s imagery — particularly the moodier, stylised photography and thematic tones in some of the teaser shots.
NCT Dream Accused Of Plagiarizing Red Velvet’s Viral “Chill Kill” Concept Images
2. LE SSERAFIM
When LE SSERAFIM unveiled teasers for their Japanese comeback CRAZY, certain images released form SOURCE MUSIC sparked plagiarism allegations with netizens claiming the members donned similar outfits and poses to Red Velvet’s.
LE SSERAFIM Slammed With Viral Red Velvet Plagiarism Accusations, Korean Netizens Baffled
3. IVE
IVE is not new to facing criticism for plagiarising the SM Entertainment girl group, as they have sparked similar controversy multiple times. Months after “Chill Kill” was released, IVE released their then new title track “HEYA.” “HEYA” sparked heated debate on whether the style and motifs used in IVE’s comeback were too similar to Red Velvet’s to be just a coincidence.
no one owns korea’s culture & plenty of groups have taken inspiration from it for their own projects and most have done so in a unique way.
so when people are saying ive took inspiration from red velvet, i think it’s happening for a good reason. pic.twitter.com/DnYDZUOycq
— vivian ˚୨୧⋆｡ (@universerene) April 24, 2024
4. KiiiKiii
Another Starship Entertainment girl group is now facing similar plagiarism allegations. IVE’s junior girl group, KiiiKiii, have sparked heated debate with their new teaser images released for their comeback Delulu Pack. In one set of teasers, the KiiiKiii members wear similar red ribbons to ones Red Velvet also wear in their Chill Kill images. The members also face away from the camera in a similar pose to show them off.
red velvet the blueprint you are https://t.co/YxVcspE2sh pic.twitter.com/jOAktse7Yf
— angel (@velvetangeles) January 5, 2026
While fans often debate if such instances are truly considered plagiarism or just inspiration, for many it’s no coincidence that Red Velvet is almost always at the heart of it.
Red Velvet