HYBE Triggers Fury After Accusations Of Plagiarizing Stray Kids
Lightsticks are a huge part of K-Pop, allowing fans to show love for their favorite groups and reflect the identity of the idols and fandom.
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Despite being branded as a global group, KATSEYE sparked surprise after announcing that they were going to bring out a lightstick.
On July 11 (KST), KATSEYE announced the new design for their lightstick through social media.
EYEKONS, get ready to make a scene with the KATSEYE Official Light Stick 🌐✨
July 16th, 7PM PT | July 17th, 11AM KST
on @weverseshop🔗 https://t.co/FHUFeamqFg pic.twitter.com/X0FyaIgQIr
— KATSEYE (@katseyeworld) July 11, 2025
Some netizens hit back at the “basic” design.
another basic ass white dome light stick please get more creative hybe https://t.co/OCabqSrwm5 pic.twitter.com/II3GyjXojJ
— Aya 🍋 (@ayaofchaos) July 11, 2025
Yet, the criticism was directed at the fact that fans of Stray Kids accused HYBE of plagiarism after pointing out the similarities to the JYP group’s lightstick with the design.
Fans shared side-by-side comparisons of the two lightsticks and hit back at how much they looked alike, especially considering that while the Stray Kids’ design has developed, the core of the aesthetics has stayed true to the group.
what in the stray kids https://t.co/42YvTDRlG1
— Ⱬero ๋⭑🛸๋⭑ (@bluesungzz) July 11, 2025
THIS IS LITERALLY BLATANT COPYING. aren’t u ashamed? come up with something of ur own, after all. there are so many ways to play a star in a lightstick, but u chose an option that is a complete carbon copy of something that already exists?! https://t.co/x99jEqbTs4 pic.twitter.com/5bPnIiF1hE
— 🌊клизма? клизму жопа не хочет (@stayhoooi) July 11, 2025
ok but be original https://t.co/WmebUWjjkf pic.twitter.com/sONIm8hJWb
— loveforhyunjin 🇨🇱 (@catasstay) July 11, 2025
KATSEYE fans tried to defend the design, saying it was just the group’s OG logo.
why ppl in the quotes are mad?? lightstick design is literally same with katseye logo!!? and its their logo since day1 please https://t.co/EuXLxP3nfz pic.twitter.com/tfUP3Jutmp
— roh 🫧 | YOONCHAE 🐚⚓️ (@yuqicut) July 11, 2025
Lightsticks are a core part of a group’s identity, so the similarities have sparked anger.
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