Before its debut, SEVENTEEN's junior group TWS was facing another controversy after a company filed a dispute over logo plagiarism. What happened?

Even before their official entry into the K-pop scene, Pledis Entertainment's upcoming boy group is already facing controversies.

First, they were accused of using "big company privilege" by being promoted in the SNS of their senior idols like SEVENTEEN, TXT, ENHYPEN, LE SSERAFIM, &TEAM, and more.

This time, they were accused of copying the logo of a watch strap company.

TWS Copied Logo of Watch Strap Brand? TWMSTRAP Complains Over Similar Designs

On January 2, the customized watch strap brand TWMSTRAP particularly called out and mentioned TWS on its Instagram, claiming that the boy group copied their logo without permission.

The brand said:

"A group called TWS copied and used my logo? It's a very similar logo. It's a logo that I hand-drawn and trademarked.

This has been frustrating since the start of the year. I'll report on trademark infringement through a lawyer tomorrow."

ALSO READ: HYBE's Super Groups Break the Internet with Massive Support for Pledis' TWS — 'Isn't this just the way Pledis wants to...'

Looking at the logo, there were uncanny similarities in terms of the colors and font. The brand's owner added:

"Compare the group TWS that copied the logo of my precious creation. It's ridiculous. It's a precious logo that's protected by the trademark under my name, but I can't let it go."

The creator also warned netizens who were threatening them for calling out the group and said:

"The TWMSTRAP logo for the brand is my creation that has been around since September 2018 and is currently a trademarked and protected property. Copies are unacceptable. It's the face that leads this brand.

I have (also) received threatening posts with ghost IDs. In the future, I will attach the materials if I report it."

Pledis Entertainment has yet to address this issue.

SEVENTEEN's Junior TWS to Debut on January 22

Meanwhile, TWS is Pledis Entertainment's first boy group in nine years since SEVENTEEN in 2015. It is also the first group to debut since Pledis transferred to HYBE.

The group name is an abbreviation for "TWENTY FOR SEVEN: WITH US." The members consist of Korean nationals Shinyu, Dohoon, Youngjae, Jihoon, and Kyungmin, and Chinese national Hanjin.

TWS' 1st mini album, "Sparkling Blue" will be released at 6 PM KST on the 22nd. They will debut with an average age of 17.8 years.

Global fans are paying attention to TWS due to their solid performance skills and shining visuals that they showcased even ahead of their official launch through various pre-debut content.

In particular, on the 2nd, they warmed up to their popularity with their pre-release song, "Mymy: 7s" and are carrying out full-fledged debut promotion through a personal trailer (TWS: FIRST TIME) official concept photos, tracklist, highlight medley, official teaser, pop-up store, etc.

READ MORE: 9+ K-pop Rookie Groups to Debut in 2024: TWS, KATSEYE, NCT NEW TEAM, NEXZ, More!

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Written by Eunice Dawson.