The two groups have been linked before.
Koreaboo
24 minutes ago
LE SSERAFIM‘s upcoming studio album PUREFLOW hasn’t even dropped yet, but it’s already stirring up heated debate.
| Weverse
Source Music released several teaser images and a concept trailer this week to promote the album ahead of its release.
BIRCH SCAR🍃
✰ 2nd Studio Album ‘PUREFLOW’ pt.1
2026.05.22 1PM (KST) | 12AM (ET)
💿Pre-save & Pre-orderhttps://t.co/mG1oYRxyGz#LE_SSERAFIM #르세라핌 #SAKURA#PUREFLOW_pt1 pic.twitter.com/OIhZZvLoCp
— SOURCEMUSIC (@SOURCEMUSIC) May 11, 2026
PUREFLOW visuals lean heavily into a dark, fairy tale horror aesthetic, which is exactly what’s causing the stir.
BIRCH SCAR🍃
✰ 2nd Studio Album ‘PUREFLOW’ pt.1
2026.05.22 1PM (KST) | 12AM (ET)
💿Pre-save & Pre-orderhttps://t.co/mG1oYRxyGz#LE_SSERAFIM #르세라핌 #PUREFLOW_pt1 pic.twitter.com/0RTxK0vEHH
— SOURCEMUSIC (@SOURCEMUSIC) May 11, 2026
Many fans instantly drew comparisons to Red Velvet, a group that’s long been associated with that exact concept space.
Red Velvet for “RBB.” | SM Entertainment
Some fans feel the overlap is too obvious to ignore. Others are questioning whether the execution can hold up to the standard Red Velvet set with the concept.
Not them trying to reheat red velvet nachos https://t.co/qzKwLqUztx
— ✦ (@spicevillains) May 11, 2026
you can’t copy red velvet if you can’t sing like red velvet https://t.co/cjHhhkLUSA
— j 🍋🟩 (@kaivore) May 12, 2026
now they wanna be red velvet 🙄
— new woman (@chlolandria) May 11, 2026
This isn’t the first time the two groups have faced comparisons. LE SSERAFIM previously drew similar criticism over concept photos from their Japanese debut, which fans felt came a little too close to Red Velvet’s Chill Kill teaser visuals.
LE SSERAFIM Slammed With Viral Red Velvet Plagiarism Accusations, Korean Netizens Baffled
Chill Kill has, in fact, become something of a constant reference point in plagiarism debates. The album has been name-dropped in such conversations involving several other acts, too — including KiiiKiii, NCT, and IVE, so it’s not a controversy unique to LE SSERAFIM.
The One Red Velvet Comeback That Has Been “Ripped Off” By 4 Different Groups
What are your thoughts? Is the similarity too close for comfort, or is the fairy tale horror concept fair game for any group to explore? Let us know in the comment section of our social media posts!