CRAVITY Plagiarized EXO and NCT? Fans Demand Explanation from Rookie's MV Director and Choreographer

Amidst the warm congratulatory messages and support that the newly-debuted group CRAVITY has been getting, they also received their first controversy after their music video for "Break All The Rules" was alleged to have copied EXO and NCT. This prompted fans and netizens to question the MV director and choreographer of the rookie group, who, according to the viewers, made the similarities too obvious for the audience to notice.

The rumor started when a K-netizen posted their thoughts about the alleged plagiarism, saying that the MV of CRAVITY's debut song resembles EXO's MV, concept, and even the logo.

In the said "proofs," both groups were holding a cube, where shadows are dancing in the background.

1.CRAVITY's MV

2.EXO's MV

In addition to this, the netizen also claimed that the group name, "CRAVITY" concept was similar to EXO, wherein EXO stands for EXOPLANET, a planet beyond the solar system and the members possess extraterrestrial superpowers. According to the netizens, EXO has the parallel universe concept. Later on, the rookie group was introduced as CRAVITY, an amalgamation of the words "Creativity" and "Gravity," a group that will "draw you into [CRAVITY] parallel world."

Moreover, EXO's logo was allegedly copied as well. EXO's logo is formed through a rotating cube, and at the ending of CRAVITY's MV, a rotating cube was also seen.

The controversy sparked a debate among online users, especially on stan Twitter, alleging that it was a real "copy-and-paste." However, several EXO-Ls clarified that they were not disappointed with CRAVITY. Instead, they said that the MV director should explain this issue.

Meanwhile, the plagiarism claims intensified when another K-netizen said that the key dance step in NCT's "Cherry Bomb" choreography was suspected to be plagiarized as well. Though the hands were a little different, the leg and foot works were alike, not to mention that that particular dance step isn't common in any K-pop choreography.

It's not long after that heaps of fans and supporters of CRAVITY went aboard with EXO-Ls and NCTzens in demanding an explanation from the MV director and choreographer, as well as from Starship Entertainment. Netizens added that CRAVITY doesn't deserve to be treated like this.

A fan commented, "This is noise marketing. Don't watch their MVs. If you raise their view counts, the problem won't be resolved."

If it were indeed a marketing strategy, fans are not happy that the reputation of the group has been tainted already.

CRAVITY had their debut on April 14 amidst the coronavirus pandemic, showcasing their talents through their debut song "Break All The Rules." They are the first group that debuted under Starship Entertainment after MONSTA X.