The fourth episode of SBS' audition survival show Universe League, hosted by former 2PM member Jay Park, aired. The program, which is the male counterpart of its first season Universe Ticket, features 42 idol trainees who will compete under five stages.
The contestants are divided into three teams under the guidance of mentors called directors, and only one team will be awarded the show's prize cup and debut.
Team Rythym will be led by WayV Ten and YangYang, Team Groove by BTOB Changsub, and Team Beat under GOT7 Yugyeom and EL CAPITXN.
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In the recent episode, the directors prepared their original songs, which will be performed by their start-up lineup (Top 7), and defend it against other team's bench lineup (low-rank members).
Changsub then introduced "Prison," a song he prepared for the Team Groove. During the show, a snippet of the song and its choreography was teased, earning various reactions.
"Did the song remind you of any singer?" asked the director after showing it to his team.
"BIGBANG, BEAST. It has 'Fiction' vibes," answered the contestants.
Changsub then explained that he chose the song to conjure up nostalgia for the second-gen era.
창섭아 너가 만든 곡 빅뱅, 비스트가 아니고 빅스 에러랑 존똑인데…? pic.twitter.com/Jme1X4X3ne
— 좌파우파❤️💙 (@SUPADUPAMY) December 14, 2024
However, when this reached K-pop fans on X, Starlights (VIXX fandom) called out the male icon and the show for discrediting VIXX.
In a comparison thread, "Prison" is said to share uncanny similarities with the VIXX's track "Error," per the fandom.
Not only was the choreography (both teams incorporated a domino effect dance) similar but even the songs' melodies.
"There is the intro (in Prison), which is basically just the pitched down version of 'Error,'" highlighted by the user.
Here is why this is so much more THAN THE INTRO PIANO SAMPLE: a thread
— Kizuno_K (@kizuno_k) December 16, 2024
I understand we are only given a preview, but the preview is almost a minute long, which is quite substantial for a song (this is at least 1/3 of a full song) https://t.co/CshE84QZCZ pic.twitter.com/7ti1yQYuvu
1. choreography aspects
— Kizuno_K (@kizuno_k) December 16, 2024
this domino effect thing where the members move from the back to the front and twisting sideways pic.twitter.com/owiGGNmhzH
And of course, there is the intro, which is basically just the pitched down version of error pic.twitter.com/3kNKTmLDpD
— Kizuno_K (@kizuno_k) December 16, 2024
I'm so fucking angry. It's not just the song but the dance is the same too?
— 𓆩♤𓆪 ⁶𝖛𝖎𝖝𝖝𝖊𝖉𝖌𝖟𝖇⤮𝖘𝖐𝖟🧩 (@Vixxedgzbz) December 15, 2024
As someone who likes both VIXX & BTOB since the time they were friends, I'm so hurt right now https://t.co/jzRAJDJ9Hf
While Starlights believed that Changsub's song contained a lot of elements shown from VIXX's previous song, Melodys (BTOB fandom) were quick to defend him.
"This is not plagiarism at all. You guys are talking about an intro piano sample, we didn't even have the whole song out, yet you guys are making a fuss?" replied one Melody.
this is NOT plagiarism AT ALL. you guys are talking abt an intro piano sample, we didn't even have the whole song out yet you guys are making a fuss?
— tata do changsub / universe league era (@TESTADASEI) December 15, 2024
1) the song hasn’t been released so no credits are available yet 2) same samples may have been used and its not plagiarism if they did. one notable example with exact same intro + melody is ateez- dancing like butterfly wings and pentagon- genius. 3) btovixx are friends ++ https://t.co/ZHKlF8Xfi0
— nikki (@mhzoned) December 14, 2024
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