BTS fans, also known as ARMYs, are not happy about GFRIEND's first official light stick design which they revealed just recently.
According to Soompi, the girl group finally launched their official concert light stick, called "Glass Marble Stick," on March 14. However, fans of BTS took notice of the similarities of GFRIEND's light stick design to the boy group's "Army Bombs."
The seven-member boy band released the design of their official concert light stick in March 2015. BTS' "Army bombs" are in bulb shape matched with black handles. Similarly, GFRIEND's light sticks are also bulb-shaped with white handles.
Allkpop cited the light stick designs of both K-pop groups are causing an online feud between their fans. Hence, ARMYs have called out GFRIEND's label, Source Music, to explain the similarities of their design to the boy group.
Reports said a BTS fan tried to reach out to the girl group's agency to complain about the issue. However, Source Music reportedly ignored the fan's plea and even acted rude towards the ARMY.
"We would appreciate if they give proper feedback on the light sticks as well as on the rude behaviors of the employees," a BTS fan wrote.
Another one said, "Honestly, it's not just the light sticks. They've copied choreography, outfits, MVs, and songs but never gave any feedbacks."
On the other hand, GFRIEND's Buddy defended the girl group and the label over the issue of copying. A fan of the girl group explained the light stick design was intended to represent the debut single of the band, titled "Glass Bead."
"GFRIEND has also never copied choreography, outfits, songs, or MVs and no, just because something is similar does not mean it's a copy," a Buddy said.
Amid online feud between the two fandoms, other fans of BTS and GFRIEND reject the issue and even asked their co-fans to stop the word war.
