Red Velvet Chill Kill Plagiarism Allegations: Is the Eerie Fairytale the New K-Pop Blueprint?

Is imitation the sincerest form of flattery, or a threat to artistic integrity? SM Entertainment's veteran girl group Red Velvet continues to influence the industry long after their debut. However, their third studio album, ' Chill Kill,' released in November 2023, has become the epicenter of a recurring debate. Since its release, at least five different groups have faced accusations of "copying" the group's signature eerie fairytale aesthetic.

Red Velvet Chill Kill Plagiarism Allegations: From NCT DREAM to KiiiKiii

The list of groups caught in the crossfire is growing. NCT DREAM faced initial scrutiny when their 'DREAM()SCAPE' concept photos featured stylized photography strikingly similar to Red Velvet's. Soon after, LE SSERAFIM's Japanese teasers for 'CRAZY' sparked outrage as netizens pointed out identical outfit choices and poses. The controversy isn't just about aesthetics; it's about the very soul of the 'Chill Kill' era being mirrored across the industry.

Starship Entertainment groups haven't been immune either. IVE's 'HEYA' was criticized for utilizing traditional motifs in a way that felt too familiar to Chill Kill. Most recently, on January 5, 2026, the rookie group KiiiKiii dropped teasers for 'Delulu Pack' featuring the exact same red ribbon styling and back-facing poses that defined the 2023 masterpiece. For many fans, these aren't coincidences; they are signs that Red Velvet remains the ultimate blueprint.

The Fine Line Between Inspiration and Replication

While some argue that these motifs are part of a broader cultural trend in K-Pop, the frequency with which Red Velvet is cited as the source cannot be ignored. The group has built a reputation for high-concept storytelling, making any similarity feel like a direct theft of their intellectual property to the protective ReVeluv fandom.