Controversial Girl Group’s Comeback Teaser Sparks Allegations Of Racism And “Plagiarism”
Controversial girl group KISS OF LIFE’s new comeback has again sparked a barrage of criticism.
The group teased their new music video, “Lucky,” on November 3, KST, with a 15-second clip, showing the members posing in front of a bedazzled truck. The backdrop featured a Bratz doll-like poster of the four members.
KISS OF LIFE drops the music video teaser for “Lucky”. pic.twitter.com/ONEl5mrfUz
— Kpop Charts (@kchartsmaster) November 3, 2025
Immediately after the clip was posted on X (former Twitter), netizens pointed out that the poster in the background appeared more like four Black girls than the KISS OF LIFE members. This didn’t sit well with many, given their previous controversy of racist mockery of Black culture.
i got 2 questions..
1. is this supposed to be them
2. if it is..why are they black????? https://t.co/BDEn2XiXXJ— ☆.5 (@HYUNEBLUNT) November 3, 2025
The poster is 3 black girls https://t.co/jE0Gyj7ZYp pic.twitter.com/Lf2Ry96ILZ
— LEADER OF THE DREWDOTS 𖤓 (@jadedforesight) November 3, 2025
THE ART OMG../F/??? they are the most tonedeaf people ever https://t.co/QDuSObsB2u
— nana (@minghaeo) November 3, 2025
who are the niggas on the van behind them cause i know they aint tryna pass that off as four korean women https://t.co/kzHMin0ywC
— hannah🦢🦪 (@midnghtcowgirl) November 4, 2025
Some fans tried defending the members by arguing that the poster was inspired by the Japanese “gyaru” subculture, but were shot down by others pointing out how it had nothing in common with the typical “gyaru” elements.
"it's gyaru"
no it is not and it's okay to admit it's not baby. even then, going for gyaru aesthetic after a racism incident wouldn't even be smart. https://t.co/IyLBpJtaei pic.twitter.com/Ph5XuMO1ch— ꒰ა poof ໒꒱ (@chwishiez) November 4, 2025
It’s giving bratz dolls bffr rn nothing in the picture you’ve shown is on that damn picture. https://t.co/To8Oe17Jk4
— Des🖤 (@CoolwithDes) November 4, 2025
Stop defending racists
1.Gyaru is a heavily black inspired subculture, which would be strange to do regardless because of their track record
2.Saying that their concept is gyaru themed is wild given they look like this, aka nothing like what the subculture independently developed https://t.co/p2Ks5l80ev pic.twitter.com/GN0NGMTkAs— woweee (@whimsialtss) November 4, 2025
Another set of criticism came from fans who felt that the teaser looked way too similar to the visuals of the “Underground” music video by the Japanese girl group, F5VE.
they will NEVER be f5ve… pic.twitter.com/CfEQjCMzzj https://t.co/HBHAOVdr65
— mak 🗡️ 01.5 (@sugaringsayaka) November 3, 2025
they just shit in f5ve's nachos pic.twitter.com/6PEOEBM3qN https://t.co/gkt44KbGSU
— lupi (@anjosvirtual) November 3, 2025
f5ve they in your boardrooms now #madeit https://t.co/J6qhcDASsd
— asher 01.5📀 🪽✧˚₊‧ (@jaehyunjepsen) November 3, 2025
f5ve being the blueprint for those fraudulent kpop companies and their sinking groups…… oh god5ve, you will always be famous!!! https://t.co/UmoNLU0yZA
— 😾 (@ok__matt) November 3, 2025
Despite the controversy, KISS OF LIFE has released the full music video as part of their first Japanese mini-album rollout. Judging by the comments under the music video, viewers have reacted positively to the release.
What do you think? Is the backlash warranted?
