BLACKPINK‘s comeback rollout is facing accusations of ripping off BTS.
BTS | GQ Magazine BLACKPINK | YG Entertainment
The issue stemmed from an announcement that the girl group unveiled an interactive digital map, “PINK AREA,” highlighting key landmarks across Seoul and offering hidden hints about the group’s comeback.
BLACKPINK unveils another “PINK AREA” for their upcoming album “DEADLINE.”
— The PINK AREA is an interactive digital map highlighting key landmarks across Seoul, generating buzz through curated activations and subtle hints ahead of the group’s highly anticipated comeback. pic.twitter.com/C9foS6Nn58
— Pop Core (@TheePopCore) February 24, 2026
Shortly afterward, a post implying that this campaign was similar to BTS’s “ARIRANG SEOUL” project went viral on X. Much like “PINK AREA,” this project involves turning major landmarks in Seoul into music and media-based experiences.
BTS announces BTS THE CITY: ARIRANG SEOUL, a large-scale city project set across Seoul from March 20 to April 12 to mark their comeback.
The project will transform major landmarks and public spaces with music and media-based experiences, and will later expand to major cities… pic.twitter.com/ncNyV5YFY4
— Pop Core (@TheePopCore) February 5, 2026
The post, which has racked up over half a million views at the time of writing, has triggered heated reactions. While some agreed with the OP, implying that the idea was copied from BTS, others quickly pointed out that the “PINK AREA” has been a thing since BLACPINK’s “Jump” era.
They literally waited for BTS to release their comeback plan so they can copy it in broad daylight. https://t.co/uf87IXS8ey
— 지민🐣🐰정국 (@theekingjimin) February 25, 2026
Sometimes I’m just grateful bts made arirang secretive like yeah atleast we wouldn’t let people get anything I just know everyone and their momma eyes are on them, I’m okay now with them keep on asking me what’s my love song 🤧😫😅🙌until the release date we don’t want copycats🤭 https://t.co/lCSnCHIKkt
— Polcarmy⁷💙ARIRANG🤍ADAAP ERA🥹🫶 (@gmmtvgirlie008) February 25, 2026
That’s why BigHit hasn’t given a hint about BTS’s new promotional method cuz they know leeches will copy it and promote their albums with payola. https://t.co/gxKzi8uEGJ
— Jewel⁷ (@borahyyh) February 25, 2026
pink area has been a thing since last year did u see any blink say bts are copying blackpink???? These ⁷ think bts atp own everything I ctfu https://t.co/aBap8tp5EH
— ⁴cherryti ⏳ (@elxsticgirl) February 25, 2026
this a thing bp has done since the dawn of time move on https://t.co/xwHq3FG6mn
— suva (@suvastea) February 25, 2026
Dumbs in the qrts when pink area has been introduce since last year. Now who’s copying who? https://t.co/C5tyaqCgh7
— xela (@blckpnktingz) February 25, 2026
With both groups’ highly anticipated comebacks right around the corner, online discourses are constantly getting increasingly heated.
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