NewJeans' Official Lightstick Receives Divided Opinions Due to Resemblance To BAP's Matoki
NewJeans officially revealed their official fandom name and official lightstick 100 days after their debut. But instead of a pure celebration, some called the girl group out due to their lightstick's resemblance to B.A.P's official bong, Matoki.
Continue reading to know more about the issue surrounding NewJeans and B.A.P's lightsticks.
Did NewJeans Copy B.A.P's Lightstick?
On October 29, NewJeans' official social media accounts uploaded a clip introducing the group's lightstick. The group also revealed their fandom name, Bunnies, to mark their 100th day since debut.
The lightstick itself looks like a bunny with the letters N and J on the eye area. It then changes to a blue star and pink heart after another rotation.
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NewJeans disclosed that it would be officially released in the first quarter of 2023 on WeVerse Shop. Fans immediately expressed their excitement as they wait for its arrival on the market.
Some, on the other hand, called out the girl group for allegedly copying B.A.P's bong.
In an online community, fans debated over the two lightsticks as they pointed out the similarities between them. B.A.P's lightstick is also shaped like a rabbit, based on the group's mascot, Matoki.
Others came to defend both groups and clarified that nothing is similar except that they both look like rabbits. They also noted that they have different designs and colors.
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The debate reached other social networking sites, including Twitter, causing B.A.P fans to warn those who started the fan war.
One said, "I definitely don't get any jokes of babyz did, like the bunnies bong isn't the same, bap is wild rabbits and new jeans is soft rabbit so don't start the fan wars. stop saying that new jeans copied bap lightstick and follow by saying 'it's a joke though.'"
NewJeans debuted on August 1 under ADOR and HYBE Labels. Meanwhile, B.A.P promoted from 2012 until disbandment in 2019.
NewJeans Dominates International Music Scene
Amid some hate comments NewJeans has been receiving over its lightstick, the girl group proved its worth by winning the Hot Rookie award at the 1st-Ever THE-K Billboard Awards.
The award-giving body held its first event on October 28 where it named NewJeans as one of the four recipients of the Hot Rookie Award. The recognition is given to four groups that excelled on charts -including Billboard 200, Billboard Hot 100, and Global 200 - within the first three years of their debut.
NewJeans scored the recognition alongside IVE, Kep1er, and ENHYPEN.
TXT and BTS also won in the event, bringing home the Top Artist Award. BTS became the recipient of the Global Artist Award, as well, alongside IVE.
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Written by Alexandria Kim.
