A senior K-Pop girl group idol recently stirred up controversy on social media after allegedly calling out HYBE’s global girl group KATSEYE. The incident has ignited a fierce debate among K-Pop fans, bringing attention to plagiarism accusations within the industry and the power of social media in fan discourse.
The “Animal” Teaser Sparks Controversy
The issue at hand began with the highly anticipated teaser for KATSEYE’s upcoming song, “Animal.” When the group’s social media account posted a vibrant snippet of the five active members dancing to the song’s catchy chorus, it quickly drew millions of views, sparking varied reactions from netizens across the globe. While many fans were excited for the debut, others quickly pointed out a familiar ring to the melody.
CLC’s “Devil” Comparison Emerges
KATSEYE danced to ‘ANIMAL’ in a newly shared video. pic.twitter.com/k4OgwOe8g7
— KATSEYE B✶SE (@KATSEYEBASE) July 24, 2026
One major response to the chorus was that many people found the tune strikingly similar to a previous beloved K-Pop release—“Devil” by the former girl group CLC. This comparison immediately sent shockwaves through the K-Pop community, with clips of both songs being shared widely.
this is literally just devil by clc likeeee that choreo too 😭😭😭 clc paved the way fr pic.twitter.com/jRQFRH6zNt https://t.co/Wk1Kp5ybiK
— L ♡ (@yujinyunjin) July 25, 2026
The comparison between the two songs soon flooded social media platforms, with countless posts and comments debating the perceived similarities. However, KATSEYE fans were quick to insist that any accusation of plagiarism was unfounded and unlikely, especially given that “Animal” was famously written by global superstar Ed Sheeran, an artist who probably isn’t as fluent in niche K-Pop releases. This defense aimed to dismiss the claims, suggesting a mere coincidence rather than intentional copying.
Sorn’s Repost Ignites the Debate
Yall really think ed sheeran went and searched for whoever this grp is to copy from ???
I know yall hate hybe ggs but its getting to a point https://t.co/NDnwuiJaQf— Rosalit🦔 (@yunjin_doll) July 25, 2026
the concept of ed sheeran plagiarizing clc to sell the song to hybe https://t.co/a0X2Jn8OzI
— j***e (@seonwoominovio) July 26, 2026
However, this debate took an unexpected and dramatic turn when eagle-eyed fans noticed a significant development: Sorn, a well-known former member of CLC, had reposted a video directly comparing the two songs side by side on her personal social media. This action immediately amplified the controversy, placing the spotlight squarely on her.
Sorn liking and reposting a post comparing CLC’s Devil and Animal 😭 pic.twitter.com/DKo3WLDhVj
— ִ࣪𖤐 𝓖𝓮𝓶 ᗢ 🫧 (@cheshire_gem) July 25, 2026
Though Sorn didn’t specify her intention or add any explicit commentary to her repost, many in the K-Pop community saw the repost as her direct and implicit support of the claims that the KATSEYE release was “copied” from her former group’s iconic song. This, in turn, brought her both fervent backlash from some quarters who accused her of fanning flames, and widespread support from others who praised her for standing up for her group’s legacy. The discussion escalated, with fans arguing passionately on both sides about artistic integrity and industry ethics.
“Animal” Release and Lingering Questions
sorn wants the clc royalties pic.twitter.com/Yn91n1FHOw
— alixson (@clcskz) July 25, 2026
Jealousy is a disease https://t.co/kulcvmdU5n
her group is on an 11th anniversary tour that’s making no noise so she has to use katseye to gain some traction https://t.co/3hvHEYRGR1
— ᴍᴀʀɪᴇ – #Ԝ𝖨𝖫𝖣 (@mariemochii) July 25, 2026
sorn is so messy for this 😭😭 https://t.co/b1pXqBo0eG
Meanwhile, amidst the swirling controversy and heated online discussions, KATSEYE’s “Animal” was officially released on July 24 and has continued to receive mixed reactions from netizens. Some listeners remain unconvinced by the originality, while others are enjoying the new track, further cementing the song’s controversial status.
The incident highlights the intricate dynamics of the K-Pop world, where artistic similarities can quickly ignite global debates, especially when former idols get involved, demonstrating the passionate attachment fans have to their favorite groups and their music. The incident underscores the intense scrutiny new groups face and the enduring legacy of past K-Pop acts.
