SEVENTEEN Dino‘s recent release has come under major backlash, with accusations of plagiarism. The SEVENTEEN maknae, known for his incredible dance skills and stage presence, ventured into a new musical persona, Picheolin, aiming to showcase a different side of his artistry to Carats worldwide. However, this exciting new chapter has quickly been overshadowed by an unexpected controversy that has K-Pop fans buzzing across social media platforms.
Dino’s Picheolin Debut Sparks Controversy
On July 22, Dino released the video for his new track under his alter ego “Picheolin.” The release was highly anticipated by fans eager to see Dino’s solo endeavors, especially with the unique concept of an alter ego, suggesting a fresh sound and image distinct from his group activities.
The Picheolin concept was introduced to much fanfare, creating a wave of excitement for its promised blend of retro vibes and modern flair. However, the initial buzz took a sharp turn following the unveiling of the music video teaser.
Ahead of the music video drop, the teaser was posted on X, but it sparked major backlash. The online reaction was swift and largely critical, with many drawing immediate comparisons to another prominent idol’s recent work.
Accusations Point to BIGBANG Daesung’s ‘HANDO-CHOGUA’
Picheolin drops the music video teaser for ‘미처 미처.’ pic.twitter.com/IO4KTNsj2f
— Kpop Charts (@kchartsmaster) July 21, 2026
In particular, the backlash came due to BIGBANG Daesung‘s recent trot release “HANDO-CHOGUA.” Daesung, a veteran idol known for his powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence, has recently made a successful foray into the trot genre, earning considerable praise for his unique interpretations and vocal prowess.
Fans quickly pointed out that while both artists were exploring the traditional Korean trot genre, the similarities between Dino’s Picheolin track and Daesung’s “HANDO-CHOGUA” seemed to extend beyond typical genre conventions. This isn’t the first time an idol has embraced trot, but the comparison here felt distinctly specific to many listeners.
In the comments, while they acknowledged that both songs are in the trot genre, they thought there were too many similarities in the melody and sound of the tracks next to each other. Some tried to defend Dino by saying that it was a melody linked to the genre, but others explained that Daesung had released several trot songs, all with different feels and tunes. This conflicting perspective has fueled a heated debate among fans, with some defending Dino’s artistic choices and others demanding a clearer explanation. The discussion often circles back to the fine line between inspiration, genre tropes, and outright imitation in music.
Industry Implications and Fan Reactions
— ari || ˣˣ ᶜᵒˢᵐᵒˢ (@aririsbang) July 21, 2026
Word for word??? Bar for bar??? pic.twitter.com/Y2J1SWJ2dO https://t.co/Jc59LpEXtg
— 𝒩𝒾𝓃𝒾 (@Rauhlsfictions) July 21, 2026
I get that they are both trot so they can sound similar but Daesung has two trot songs that sound nothing alike, so why does this one sound so much like hando chogua? https://t.co/xTkYtVhc7I
— 𖠊𝚗𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚢.𝚝𝚠𝚝 (@skznancybang) July 21, 2026
There better be some logical explanation why this sounds like Daesung’s song.
And I’m not talking about the fandom saying “all trot songs sound the same”, cause that’s dumb and deaf. https://t.co/81bbTevMiD
— D’s hoes leader 🙄😒 D’s wave (@thereallme8) July 21, 2026
What the hell, it’s basically the same song
If them bigbangs only cared about suing those people, non of them would dare steal their work 🤦🏼♀️ https://t.co/MHsWSI8Ezu
— DRAGON-G LIKED👑 (@DragonsOnlyZone) July 22, 2026
The controversy places both artists in an uncomfortable spotlight. For Dino, it casts a shadow over a significant solo project meant to highlight his individual talents and versatility. For Daesung, whose successful venture into trot was met with widespread acclaim, it brings his work into an unexpected comparative context. Fans are now closely watching for any official statements from Pledis Entertainment, SEVENTEEN’s agency, or YG Entertainment, BIGBANG’s agency, hoping for clarification regarding the alleged similarities. The K-Pop industry has always been sensitive to plagiarism accusations, and how this situation unfolds could set precedents for future genre explorations by idols. This situation also reignites broader discussions within the fan community about originality and creative influence in the constantly evolving landscape of K-Pop music. The expectation is that agencies will address these concerns directly to protect their artists’ reputations and resolve fan anxieties.
As the debate continues to unfold online, fans eagerly await further information, hoping for a resolution that acknowledges the creative efforts of both artists while upholding the principles of originality in music.
