In the midst of controversy over alleged plagiarism, SEVENTEEN‘s sub-unit Jeonghan x Wonwoo found themselves under scrutiny for their latest teaser release, “THIS MAN.”
On May 19, 2024, the duo dropped a tantalizing look at their upcoming single album, featuring an intriguing scene of a glitching electronic billboard against an urban backdrop.
While fans, known as CARATs, were enthralled by the teaser’s enigmatic allure, supporters of Aespa, known as MYs, cried foul, accusing Pledis Entertainment of imitating Aespa’s “Drama” teasers.
The crux of the matter lies in the similarities between the visuals of both groups’ teasers. aespa’s “Drama” teasers, revealed in November 2023, featured urban landscapes and electronic billboards, one of which prominently displayed member Karina’s image. MYs argued that SEVENTEEN’s teaser bore a striking resemblance to aespa’s, suggesting a case of plagiarism.
However, a deeper investigation shed light on a different narrative. It was revealed that Soohwan Oh, the designer behind aespa’s teasers, had shared SEVENTEEN’s teaser on his Instagram, indicating his involvement in its creation.
Further exploration uncovered that Oh had previously employed similar visual elements in his work for various brands, indicating a consistent aesthetic rather than intentional replication.
CARATs swiftly came to SEVENTEEN’s defense, asserting that aespa’s concept of urban settings and electronic billboards was not proprietary.
They highlighted Oh’s portfolio, which included similar projects for other clients, suggesting that SEVENTEEN’s teaser was a result of hiring a designer known for a specific visual style rather than a deliberate imitation of aespa.
