The Poster That Started It All
Major drama is brewing in K-pop land as rookie group PLAVE finds themselves in hot water over their latest mini-album teaser. The controversy centers around their upcoming release, Caligo Part 1, and its promotional poster that many fans say bears an uncanny resemblance to SEVENTEEN’s previous work.
PLAVE dropped their teaser moving poster on January 20, getting fans excited for their February 3 comeback. But what should have been a happy moment quickly turned into a heated debate.
The black-and-white newspaper-style design caught everyone’s attention but not for the reasons they hoped. The K-pop community is now divided, with some defending PLAVE while others cry plagiarism.
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A Deep Dive Into The Controversy
Let’s break down why fans are raising eyebrows. Both posters use a wanted-poster theme with strikingly similar phrases. PLAVE’s poster asks “Have You Seen This Boy?” while SEVENTEEN’s Jeonghan and Wonwoo’s “Bittersweet” poster from last year reads “Have You Ever Seen This Man?”
The black-and-white newspaper layout style is another major point of discussion. Many netizens pointed out that the overall aesthetic, from the font choices to the vintage paper texture, feels very familiar to SEVENTEEN’s previous work. Some fans have even created side-by-side comparisons that have gone viral on social media platforms.
The Creative Process Debate
Industry experts have weighed in on the controversy, noting that vintage newspaper concepts aren’t uncommon in K-pop. However, the timing and specific design elements have raised questions. Some designers argue that certain creative choices could have been made to make the concept more unique to PLAVE.
The similarity extends beyond just the poster design. The overall marketing approach and teaser rollout strategy have also drawn comparisons to SEVENTEEN’s promotional campaign from last year. This has led to broader discussions about creativity and originality in K-pop marketing.
PLAVE’s Agency Takes A Stand
Blast, PLAVE’s agency, didn’t stay quiet about these claims. They quickly stepped up to defend their artists, releasing a detailed statement explaining their creative process. They firmly denied any copying or plagiarism accusations, emphasizing that their design team developed the concept independently.
The agency stated, “The poster was created specifically to align with Caligo Part 1’s unique concept and storytelling. Any similarities to existing works are purely coincidental.” They also highlighted PLAVE’s commitment to developing their own artistic identity in the industry.
Fan Reactions And Industry Impact
The K-pop community remains divided on this issue. While some fans are calling for changes to the promotional materials, others argue that the similarities aren’t significant enough to warrant such criticism.
PLAVE’s dedicated fanbase has been particularly vocal in defending their favorites, creating supportive hashtags that have trended worldwide.
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Final Thoughts: The PLAVE Poster Controversy Continues
As we eagerly await Caligo Part 1’s full release on February 3, the debate shows no signs of slowing down. This controversy raises important questions about creativity, inspiration, and the fine line between homage and imitation in K-pop.
What do you think, Seoul Crushers? Is this just a coincidence, or do you see too many similarities to ignore? Have you noticed other instances of similar promotional concepts in K-pop? Share your thoughts and examples in the comments below!
