Controversy Erupts Over aespa Stylist’s Borrowed Design
In a recent turn of events, aespa‘s stylist has sparked controversy after it was discovered that a top worn by member Karina during a performance was plagiarized from a fan’s design. This design was not just any fan edit; it originated from a creative piece made for NCT‘s Jaemin, which makes the situation even more delicate.
The plagiarism came to light when it was revealed that the designer had removed the watermark and Jaemin’s name from the original artwork, which was created by the user @sevenpixells. The fan had crafted an edit celebrating Jaemin’s brand, Narcissim, and it featured the logo of another local brand, ITZAVIBE.
Images of the design and the performance outfit drew a swift response on social media, with @sevenpixells expressing disappointment over the blatant disregard for their work. They took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their frustration:
“So someone is basically selling the redesign I made for Jaemin’s Narcissism back in August, and Karina wore it yesterday. The seller removed JM’s name and my @ and shamelessly claimed it’s their own design…”
Fans have echoed similar sentiments, underscoring the shock that a stylist from the same label would not recognize such an obvious reference. One user noted:
“It really is insane how the stylist didn’t recognize this design… not only because it was created by someone under the same label, but also the ITZAVIBE logo is right there.”
The issue has spiraled further, as many are condemning SM Entertainment for indirectly supporting piracy. As one user pointed out:
“Narcissism is owned and registered in Jaemin’s name and not SM. For an SM staff to buy this and let their artist wear it is crazy. Do they even care?”
This incident raises significant concerns about intellectual property in the K-pop industry. Many fans have taken to social media to express their frustration over what they see as negligence, highlighting that given Jaemin and Karina are both under the same agency, such a mistake should be even less forgivable.
The incident is not just about a shirt; it’s about respect for creative work and accountability within the K-pop world. Fans are left questioning whether SM Entertainment will issue a statement or take action regarding the matter, as outrage continues to build online.
With no word yet from the agency, it’s clear that this oversight will not be easily forgotten, leaving fans on edge as they await a response.
