HYBE’s Boy Group &TEAM Accused of Imitating EXO: Fans Demand They Mimic Their Skills as Well

Controversy Erupts Over Similarities Between &TEAM and EXO

A heated online discussion has emerged among netizens regarding the use of the slogan “We are one” by HYBE’s new idol group &TEAM, a phrase notably associated with K-pop giants EXO for over a decade. This conversation originated from a forum post titled “HYBE is Using the Slogan That Another Idol Group Has Been Using for 10 Years.”

The original poster (OP) shed light on EXO’s promotional strategy, which involved splitting into sub-units EXO-K and EXO-M, and adopting the empowering slogan “We are one.” Notably, EXO’s official account also reflects this slogan, reinforcing their unity.

In a recent live session on Weverse, &TEAM members were requested to express their aspirations using a specific hashtag. They chose “#We_are_ONETEAM,” sparking immediate comparisons to EXO’s well-established phrase.

Parallel Slogans and Branding

The OP further emphasized that &TEAM’s Weverse page prominently features the phrase “We Are One Team,” intensifying the claims of overlap in branding and messaging. This choice has raised eyebrows among fans, prompting discussions around originality in the K-pop scene.

As the discourse unfolded, observers noted striking similarities in &TEAM’s visual presentation—specifically their comeback outfits, choreography, and use of silhouette visuals—all reminiscent of EXO’s distinct style.

Heightened Attention on Social Media

This topic has gained traction, especially after a related discussion titled “Two boy groups with strong similarities” was posted on the Korean forum “theqoo.” The post has garnered nearly 50,000 views and over 600 comments within hours, reflecting the intense interest in this subject.

Commenters pointed out that both &TEAM and EXO share common themes in their concepts, including American football-inspired fashion and tree-like choreography, which only added to the mounting scrutiny of HYBE’s creative direction.

Mixed Reactions from Fans

The debate has spurred a variety of responses from netizens. While many echo concerns over potential plagiarism, referencing HYBE’s past controversies, others have come to &TEAM’s defense, deeming the accusations as “far-fetched.”

Ah, of course it’s HYBE and their plagiarism again…

Just how long will HYBE’s obsession and passion for SM last?

This is really far-fetched.

I wouldn’t call it plagiarism if it’s another agency, but give HYBE’s track record, this is a bit suspicious.

Does HYBE have an unrequited love for SM…

Wow, EXO’s concepts are still trendy even after ages.

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Source: theqoo

Source: kbizoom.com