On August 14, a netizen posed a question about how the music video set used for FOREVER 1 looked similar to Tokyo DisneySea’s 15th Anniversary logo. FOREVER 1 serves as the title track for the comeback album of the same name. It gives K-pop fans a nostalgic touch, but the set design from the music video has landed SM Entertainment in trouble.

Minute details aside, the designs look similar in several other aspects. Font, text placement, shape, border design, and the use of the sun as a motif were some of the things that were similar in the images.

South Korean netizens lashed out at SM Entertainment, the group’s company. While some called the designers “ignorant,” others raised questions as to why a top entertainment company has once again been embroiled in a plagiarism controversy.

Netizens upload an alleged apology from Girls’ Generation’s FOREVER 1 music video director

FOREVER 1, the full group comeback reunion of prominent second-generation K-pop girl group Girls’ Generation, made quite the waves on the internet. The concept stunned fans as the musicians took a road less traveled by girl groups in present times and released a cute, bright music video.

While the music video was filled with nuances, great outfits, and elaborate sets, netizens caught a glaring error in the most crucial set piece. Online South Korean forum ’theqoo’ was abuzz with discussions regarding the set, with allegations of SM Entertainment plagiarizing Tokyo DisneySea’s 15th Anniversary logo being a hot topic.

The original post, uploaded on August 14, has already gained 58,648 views and nearly 500 comments. The same author allegedly edited the post and posted a screenshot of the music video director’s apology. It has not yet been officially confirmed whether the apology was from the director or someone else.

Read the full apology below (translation via KBIZOOM):

Meanwhile, the comments on theqoo remained harsh. SM Entertainment has been criticized on multiple occasions for alleged plagiarism charges. The groups who had to bear the burden were aespa and NCT DREAM, whose fans ultimately lashed out at SM Entertainment.

In other news, Girls’ Generation continues to feature on popular Korean variety shows to showcase their camaraderie. FOREVER 1 was released on August 8, 2022.

0 votes