Korea Entertainment Producer’s Association Speaks Up About Light Stick Design Controversy

They are taking a neutral stance.

Recently, QWER has been under fire after fans noticed similarities between their official light stick and THE BOYZ‘s light stick.

Popular Girl Group Accused Of Plagiarising 4th Gen Boy Group’s Lightstick

Recently, THE BOYZ released an official statement regarding the controversy and revealed they had not reached a final decision.

THE BOYZ Drops Major Update Regarding Light Stick Plagiarism Controversy

On September 29, the Korea Entertainment Producer’s Association released an official statement regarding the matter.

“The foundation of the K-Pop industry’s creativity, identity, and sustainable growth lies in respect for intellectual property rights and mutual trust, created jointly by artists, fandoms, businesses, and the cultural industry.

The controversy over the similarity of THE BOYZ’s and QWER’s light stick designs goes beyond a simple dispute. It has profound implications for the future of K-Pop merchandise culture, the sense of community among fandoms, and the global competitiveness of Hallyu.

While both agencies have conflicting positions, it is time for judgment on legal issues, objective fact-finding, a balanced approach to the nature of industry practices and designs, and the social importance of fandom identity.

The association expresses its position as follows:

1. An industry consensus and institutional reform to protect IP and creativity are needed. We actively urge the establishment of standard guidelines to ensure that protections are clearly applied to meaningful creative assets of each agency, artist, and fandom.
2. A cultural mutual understanding and respect must be established among fandoms. While collective actions such as hashtags and protests are healthy in fandom culture, groundless slander and cyberbullying will never be tolerated.
3. The association and related organizations will maintain a neutral stance, do their utmost to mediate between the two parties, and develop effective measures to prevent recurrence.
4. We will emphasize the early planning and review system to ensure that pre-registration, public review, and prior industry consultation procedures for official merchandise designs are established.
5. The cultural power of K-Pop lies in the coexistence of diverse creativity and the virtuous cycle of the ecosystem. We urge all stakeholders to take responsibility for creating an “industrial environment where identity is preserved and creativity flourishes.”

The controversy is not simply a conflict over a single item design. It is a serious issue that concerns the future sustainability of the Hallyu ecosystem, global market competitiveness, and even the health of K-Pop fandom culture. The association will fulfill its role to ensure that the industry unites to resolve this issue. Thank you.”

K-Netizens were pleasantly surprised at the association’s statement.

| theqoo

• “THE BOYZ hwaiting! Although the association says they will take a neutral stance, it honestly means they are siding with THE BOYZ.”
• “THE BOYZ and The B’s hwaiting!”
• “I wonder if this is something to make such a big issue with…it would’ve been over if they had just changed the design from the beginning.”