WayV is facing backlash over their upcoming album artwork.
The controversy began when the K-pop unit dropped a concept photo for their 7th mini album BIG BANDS, set for release on July 18, 2025.
Soon after the photo was posted, netizens went off, accusing WayV of copying and imitating cultures in a way that “perpetuates harmful stereotypes.” The criticism specifically points to the styling as "racial cosplay" that mixes Black and Hispanic imagery that some say wrongly paints these groups as criminals.
Tweets disparaging the group quickly went viral:
“already having a bad day and now i see wayv decided to nigga it up for their new comeback”
— nicole @antonriizin“for those moron WayV fans who are too stupid to understand why it’s so wrong, this concept & imagery is misguided (& cringe) racial cosplay that perpetuates harmful stereotypes that Black & Hispanic men are criminals,”
— Jasmine Green @jasmngrn“one group gets away with appropriation now everyone following suit bc they know there are no real consequences and fans will still support this bs”
— Uma ⊹˙⛤ @uma0_1
The backlash follows a wider pattern of criticism on cultural appropriation in K-pop, with recent controversies involving KISS OF LIFE and ALLDAY PROJECT’s Tarzzan.
Netizens are calling out idols and companies for repeatedly using cultural elements in ways that many consider insensitive or outright offensive.
So far, WayV or their agency have not issued an official statement addressing the controversy.
Fans and critics alike are monitoring the situation as debates around racism and cultural respect continue in the K-pop community.
