Red Velvet's comeback summer track Umpah Umpah took home yet another trophy on SBS's "Inkigayo". In fact, they seem to be rapidly gaining victories for their new song and it hasn't been long since they grabbed their 4th win on Music Bank a couple of days ago.
To You My Light by Maktub came second while ICY by ITZY came third. This week's performers are Kwon Hyun Bin, The Boyz, Rocket Punch, UP10TION, Sunmi, Apink's Hayoung, EVERGLOW, JBJ96, ITZY, and many more.
While Umpah Umpah went down well to the general public, it also became the subject of talks after NYC-based designer Paris Starn alleged SM Entertainment for copying her creations for the quintet's promotions and new music video. On Instagram, the designer called out the entertainment agency giant through a lengthy post. Although leaving comments is disabled, the post instantly amassed 4,000 "hearts" from netizens.
"Greatly appreciate so many of you bringing to my attention K-pop group [Red Velvet] wearing garments that take heavy "inspiration" from my work. No one on the team [SM Town] ever reached out to collaborate on designs, which I would have loved to participate in," Paris Starn wrote, while posting the group's Umpah Umpah teaser photo.
She added that it pained her to see groups take creations from a small designer like her as their own.
Fortunately, this case has been settled congenially. Following her allegations, she posted an Instagram Story to spread the word that she and the agency sorted things out, to which SM Entertainment confirmed.
"After speaking with SM Entertainment's visual director, we've come to an amicable understanding of each other and become friends, and look forward to working together in the future," she wrote.
SM Entertainment then said:
"We've spoken extensively with the designer of Paris 99, and we now have reached an understanding and share an amicable relationship. We plan to collaborate with them in the future."
While this is good news to hear, there are Reveluvs who were still upset about the matter, saying that the designer should've contacted SM Entertainment privately. By broadcasting her woes publicly, some Reveluvs presume that Paris Starn's concern hurt the reputation of the girl group.
"Next time please be more professional and contact the company first if there's a problem, not the artist bc they know nothing about this stuff but they are the ones who got hate. btw congrats," one account said.
Nonetheless, some were still giving their entire support to the designer.
"I'm glad you guys could work something out. I love your work! It was not right for it to be blatantly stolen," a netizen commented.
