Korean Illustrator Exposes HYBE For Plagiarizing Their Artwork For New Virtual Girl Group
Recently, HYBE announced they would release a new virtual girl group called SYNDI8. The group consists of members Canary, Raven, Nest, and Goyo.
However, an illustrator recently exposed HYBE after receiving an offer to work with them to design a new virtual girl group.
“I received an offer from a subsidiary label of HYBE to design a virtual girl group. I was angry because after I explained the cost and the details of the offer, the designer didn’t respond and cut off all contact.
The announcement of the new virtual group came out today. Many people thought that I designed the group and after receiving the images, it felt strange.
If you look at the third photo, the style they first showed me through sketches is not seen at all, and the drawing style has changed.
Do the fans think that I took the offer?
They did send me an offer but I didn’t take it. It must be a coincidence that the outcome is totally different from their initial sketches and looks similar to my style, right? They must’ve really looked up a lot of references or worked hard tracing and using a spoid.”
In the post, they also uploaded a screenshot of the message received from HYBE regarding an offer.
“We looked at your work and would like to send you an offer as we feel it would be nice to work with you on our upcoming virtual idol project.
The content we would like to ask you about is:
- Finalizing the design of the initial character design sketches we have made and
- Making a title track virtualizer.
We are looking at the deadline to be around the middle of March.”
They also shared the initial sketches sent from HYBE.
They also posted photos of their work in comparison to HYBE’s final outcome.
They made another post emphasizing that although they are uncomfortable with the outcome, they aren’t asking to do anything about it as they felt they had no power.
“What an amazing coincidence! I know I cannot claim my style as my own. Similar designs are found in comics, and city pop illustrations and drawings are created through references.
However, this company inquired about a collaboration with me and didn’t reply when I asked about the details. It was a collaboration that was rejected by them.
They completely changed the existing style. Seeing the final outcome, it feels uncomfortable to see this in a positive way.
Of course, they probably looked at other references besides me. Fans have been asking if I worked on it, and I am making it clear that this is absolutely not the case. I am writing this because it feels unfair.
I’m not asking you to do something about it. I mean, what power does an individual artist like me have anyway?”
Netizens criticized HYBE for once again for their somewhat devious tactics.
- “Again?”
- “Wow they are taking it too far.”
- “Looking at this person’s work, I can tell what HYBE wanted.”
- “Wow I really hate this.”
- “Wow another reference? And it’s worse than the original artist’s work. When I first saw the announcement of HYBE’s virtual girl group, I felt the drawing style was unfamiliar, I can see why now.”
- “This is literally what they did to Min Hee Jin. Asking to work with the and just stealing their work.”
- “HYBE is just being HYBE once again.”
- “Wow f*ck are they looking down on this artist’s work or what? Makes me wonder what other crazy things that have done so far.”
- “The downfall of HYBE.”
- “I wonder do they really understand the idea of what a formula is.”
- “HYBE again…”
- “Wow this artist’s work is so pretty.”
- “This is really bad. I already don’t consume them, but now I’m going to be even more adamant about not consuming anything HYBE.”
- “They are such gangsters…”
What are your thoughts on this?
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