BTS, the iconic K-pop group known for their innovative concepts, faced plagiarism allegations during their HYYH era. The group’s popular era, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever, came under scrutiny for its striking resemblance to SHINee’s concept from 2014.
The similarities between BTS and SHINee’s concept pictures were uncanny, with both groups featuring outdoor, camp-themed settings complete with a rainbow-colored hot air balloon and campfire shots. While it’s true that no one owns a concept or style, the resemblance between the two groups’ photoshoots was too close for comfort.
Although the outdoor aesthetic was popular among K-pop groups at the time, BTS’ concept pictures for Young Forever seemed to draw heavily from SHINee’s previous work. While it’s not uncommon for artists to draw inspiration from each other, the similarities between the two groups’ photoshoots raised eyebrows in the industry.
While BTS may not have directly copied SHINee’s concept, it’s clear that the 2nd gen group’s photoshoot served as a blueprint for Young Forever. The debate over whether BTS’ concept was a rip-off or simply inspired by SHINee continues to spark discussion among fans and industry insiders.
In the ever-evolving world of K-pop, where concepts and styles are constantly changing, it’s important for artists to find ways to stand out while still paying homage to those who came before them. Whether BTS’ concept for Young Forever was a case of plagiarism or simply a nod to SHINee’s influence, one thing is certain – the group’s ability to captivate audiences with their concepts remains unparalleled in the industry.
