EXO, one of K-Pop’s iconic groups, has left a lasting impact on the industry. Their uniform concepts, one-take music videos, and memorable performances have inspired many junior artists.

Recently, netizens have pointed out similarities between HYBE’s rookie group, &TEAM, and EXO.

While some acknowledge the resemblance, it hasn’t reached the level of plagiarism. Let’s explore the alleged similarities:

Rugby Uniforms:

EXO popularized rugby-inspired outfits, even though rugby isn’t a common sport in South Korea.

&TEAM also used a similar concept, but with a twist: their lore involves a fictional sport called nightball, loosely based on rugby.

Tree of Life Pose:

EXO’s iconic “Tree of Life” pose gained fame during their “Wolf” era.

&TEAM recreated a similar pose in their MV for “Road Not Taken.”

Red Sporty Clothes:

• Both groups have worn red sporty outfits, although their styles differ.

Striped Tees:

EXO’s youthful charm was enhanced by striped tees and khaki shorts.

&TEAM sported similar outfits, albeit with different colored shirts.

One-Take Shots:

https://youtu.be/69IT-53ULZA

https://youtu.be/I3dezFzsNss

EXO pioneered one-take shots in their “Growl” MV.

&TEAM also used this technique in their MV for “Scent Of You.”

While netizens discuss these similarities, most agree that it’s a matter of styling rather than outright plagiarism.

Some comments express surprise, while others criticize HYBE for borrowing concepts from other groups.

Ultimately, the debate continues, but it’s clear that both EXO and &TEAM have made their mark in K-Pop.

What are your thoughts on this situation?

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BTS's Jin continues to shine bright with his massive popularity, securing the No. 1 spot in the MY1PICK weekly rankings for an impressive 43 consecutive weeks!

In the MY1PICK K-POP Individual Category Weekly Ranking for the third week of December (December 16–22), Jin earned a massive 6,154,905 hearts, keeping his position at the top. From the 5th week of February to the 3rd week of December, Jin has been unbeatable in the weekly rankings, proving he has an enormous fanbase and global influence.

But Jin’s achievements don’t stop there. In November, he dominated the K-POP Individual Category Monthly Ranking, topping it with 25,452,283 hearts. He has held the No. 1 spot for 11 months straight, from January to November, showing his continuous popularity throughout the year.

Jin also claimed victory in the One Pick Chart’s “November Monthly Chart K-POP (Solo)” category, holding the No. 1 position for 8 months in a row, from April to November. On top of that, he won the 2024 Season Chart K-POP (SOLO) for both the 2nd and 3rd quarters, making him the best One Pick star of the season.

The Season Chart awards honor artists who have consistently earned love from fans, with a physical trophy given to the top artist. Jin’s back-to-back victories solidify his place as one of the most beloved stars in K-pop.

Jin’s fan power doesn’t end with rankings. He’s also triumphed in numerous themed votes, taking first place in categories like “Star You Want to Collect All Photo Cards Of,” “Star You Want to See First Pitch at a Baseball Game,” “Best Cooking Genius Idol,” “Star Who Would Be the Best Child,” and “Star You Would Fall in Love With at First Sight.” His reward advertisement for the “Star You Want to Collect All Photo Cards Of” vote began airing on December 26 and can be seen at Yeoksam Station until December 30.

Meanwhile, Jin’s first solo album Happy was released on November 15 and quickly became a global hit, showcasing his talents as a solo artist. He held a special showcase, Jin ‘Happy’ Special Stage, on November 16 and 17, where fans were captivated by his beautiful vocals and flawless live performance.

Jin has also been keeping busy with appearances on popular variety shows like Salon Drip 2, Neighborhood Star K4, and Limousine Service. He’s also appeared on famous American talk shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Japan’s top music program Venue 101, where he impressed fans with his humor and solid live performances. His reputation as the “Vocal King” and “Live King” is stronger than ever!

As if that wasn't enough, Jin is also gaining attention globally for singing the main theme song for the new tvN drama Ask the Stars. Jin's talents continue to wow the world, and it's clear he's not slowing down anytime soon!

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