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Why is BTS accused of plagiarism : A Thread
First, I think it's important to explain the context of those accusations and BTS' past history with plagiarism, especially towards BigBang & EXO. Then, I'll talk about how Armys also plagiarized EXO-Ls.
I suggest you read the thread I did yesterday about how BTS' somewhat new concept showed some striking similarities with EXO's. -> https://twitter.com/lazysuho/status/997091049536393219?s=21
That being said, if you don't want to read all of it, I will explain it once again in this thread. But first, I want to talk about BTS previous history with plagiarism and why EXO-Ls are sensitive about this.
It all started when EXO-Ls called out BTS for copying EXO's school uniforms concept. As you know school uniforms got back in style after EXO's hit song Growl in 2013. A year later, BTS came back with Boy In Love with the same school uniform concept.
While the school uniform concept was used before, it is EXO who made it popular again after 2013, and it's widely acknowledged in Korea at that.
BONUS -> https://twitter.com/franz_marie/status/997427026951917569?s=21 Them addressing the issue and the MC having a smart mouth.
However, I will admit that, while following trends lack originality, it does not necessarily mean plagiarism. Let's continue with something I found much more controversial : The BTS plagiarizing BigBang controversy.
This caused a great controversy in the KPOP industry, as BigBang is a legendary group known for being trendsetters and coming back with original MVs and concept. They're also very involved in the creative process of their songs, at all levels : the music, the MVs, the clothes.
As you can see, those pictures look similar and clearly follow the same artistic directions.
Some BTS fans argued that their idols looked up to BigBang a lot and were obviously inspired by their role models, others said that both of these concepts appropriated Hip-Hop culture and that it wasn't an issue of plagiarism but of having the same influences.
Then, this happened. BTS used the same stage concept as BigBang's during an award ceremony. BigBang's director called them out on her Instagram : "Mmmmm... our hard work".
After the incident, the ceremony officials said that BTS was not involved in the making of the stage in anyway and that it was the ceremony's fault. However, it is hard for me to believe so and even if it was true, it is BigHit and BTS' responsibility to be accountable for their—
— performances and make sure they did not copy anyone else. It's plagiarism at worse and a clear lack of professionalism at best.
Now, let's go back to EXO, and talk about EXO-Ls for a second. I'm sure all of you are aware of the ongoing fanwar between EXO-Ls and Armys, and while we're on the subject of plagiarism, I'll show how Armys have plagiarized EXO-Ls projects, merch, and more.
To start off, one thing you have to know is that EXO-Ls have contributed immensely to fandom culture and came up with a lot of things considered basics today.
Now, some evidence of armys copying EXO-Ls:
Part 2
Part 3 -> a BTS fan site copied a Kai fan site earlier this year. Pretty obvious if you ask me.
Part 4
This whole part of the thread was to explain why EXO-Ls are very sensitive about plagiarism from Armys and BTS. It happened a lot and it's something that no artist/content creator likes to see. This only strengthens EXO-Ls anger and lack of understanding when it comes to BTS.
I don't really know where to put this, and this might be reaching but it does look similar. The last one is fan made.
Now, if you've read my other thread you would know that yesterday, another plagiarism controversy arose, and this time it was about BTS copying EXO's concept. If you're not familiar with EXO's I encourage you to give it a read. Still, I will give you a quick run down.
https://twitter.com/lazysuho/status/997097985350819840?s=21 (too lazy to re-write something)
Alright, now that it's done, let's get to business, what motivated this whole thread, and what made EXO-Ls furious when BTS new song came out today.
SUPERPOWERS CONCEPT! This thing started when an army posted this :
Until then, EXO-Ls were minding their business, not interfering with BTS' new comeback. But when we saw this, most of us got mad. REALLY mad. Super powers play a key role in EXO's whole concept as a group. And that since the very beginning. Armys have taken great pleasure in —
— in relentlessly mocking EXO's concept, calling "childish" and "too simple" but also belittling the effort put behind the very intricate and complex set up of this concept.
More tweets of Armys (one is multi) "confirming" their new comeback includes the superpower/controlling elements concept :
After that, you can imagine how confused we were. I wanted to see It for myself but I did not wish to watch the official MV, so I watched a reaction video. (I'm saying it now cause I can see you all thanking me for the view)
At first, I didn't get why they would actually think about powers. The first part of the MV didn't hit at it, and I was even more confused. THEN, came the fire and water part. And let me tell, it is HEAVILY hinted here that the BTS' members can control those elements.
[credits to @Minseokikiki] here is Suho's teaser
[credits to @Minseokikiki] and here is a part of BTS' new comeback MV.
As you can see, almost identical.
Now, I've seen Armys saying those are not powers/controlling the elements. Anyone can see it's pretty hinted at in the way it's shot. And EXO-Ls aren't the one who noticed it, since we mind our business, but your own fandom.
I want to finish this by saying something. Plagiarism is very hard to prove, because ideas can't be owned. In the music industry, many things have already been done, and many artists use past works of others as an inspiration. However, the way BTS have repeatedly been involved —
— in plagiarism scandals is telling of how original their music/concept is. I'll be nice and I won't talk about how their whole sound changed just for the purpose of appealing to a Western audience because they couldn't succeed at home, and I'll only highlight their —
— shortcomings when it comes to setting their own trends and crediting the ones who inspired the music/concept they put out.
I also want to underline the role Armys play in this. By plagiarizing others' idea you give a bad name and reputation to the group you stan. Armys made it too easy to link BTS' name to plagiarism, although BTS did it their own too.
More on this here :
