Rookie boy group ATBO criticized for copying NCT 127's "Kick It"

In the art world, including the music industry, there are countless times when artists pay homage to other artists and create art or music that features aspects of their work.

However, such similarities are only seen as a homage if the artist who is paying tribute states that fact clearly in their work. Otherwise, it is often seen as plagiarism or a copy of the work. In the K-pop industry, there have been a handful of times artists were accused of plagiarising other artists.

One rookie boy group has recently been at the center of attention for their latest comeback promotions. ATBO has been diligently preparing for their comeback with the 2nd mini-album 'The Beginning: 始作' and released a new concept photo on October 18.

After the photo was released, some K-pop fans noticed that the rookie boy group concept was very similar to that of NCT 127's "Kick It."

Even previously, there have been netizens who also pointed out that ATBO was very similar to NCT 127 overall in concept.

Before, K-pop fans also pointed out that ATBO's choreography for "Monochrome" was very similar to NCT 127's "Kick It."

K-netizens commented, "I think they are really similar," "I thought they were doing a cover of NCT 127 dance," "I definitely think this is noise marketing," "This is so same," "They really look like they copied," "It's only that part of the choreography that's similar," "This is ridiculous, they are so similar," and "People are making a big deal with this but I think this is not that bad."

What do you guys think about this?