Rookie SM Group Caught Up In Plagiarism Controversy, Triggers Massive Response

Hearts2Hearts, gearing up to return on June 22, garnered much attention for their recent photos for their second mini album, Lemon Tang.

Many claimed the photos plagiarized another girl group’s concept photos.

The group in question was ifeye‘s concept, which was released in July 2025.

Many netizens agreed with the claims, stating that it was blatantly copying the concept.

비슷한 수준이 아니라 그냥ㅋㅋㅋㅋ 갖다 쓴 거잖아 아지금까지 본 표절중에제일 졷같음ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

— 흐미 (@hmmmmmmnmmmmmmm) June 9, 2026

This isn’t just similar… it’s just flat out copying the exact same thing. This is the worst case of plagiarism I’ve ever seen.

아니 뭐 카버 비슷한건 표절 아닐 수 있다주장 할 수 있는데 앨범명에서 걍 표절인정이지 스읫탱 레몬탱 ㅆㅂ 뭔 중소 등골을 빨아먹냐 개스엠 미친것

— •00• (@boba3033) June 9, 2026

I can understand if the album cover looks similar, but using the same album name is plagiarism. I mean ‘Sweet Tang’ and ‘Lemon Tang’? Is SM crazy? They’re even stealing from smaller companies.

어흐 그만좀해라 돈도만으면서

— 테끼 (@d3vsb) June 9, 2026

SM really needs to stop…they have so much money…come on now.

However, others disagreed, stating that this concept was commonly used in K-Pop.

추가로 저런 구도 사진들은 흔한 래퍼런스임..
이런 것까지 표절로 따지면 이프아이도 레드벨벳
슬기 표절한거란다.. pic.twitter.com/0tiOvbNem6

— 🥟 (@haramandu) June 9, 2026

Photos taken at that angle are a common reference. If you are calling this plagiarism, then that means ifeye also plagiarized Red Velvet then…

هي بالاساس فكره توايس وكل هالفرقتين زارفينها pic.twitter.com/XpqeavIHfp

— bibi 𖤓 (@bibi0_TT) June 9, 2026

This was TWICE’s idea, and those two groups are copying them.

seulgi march 2025 & nct dream 2023, that title is not copyrighted, so people are free to use it pic.twitter.com/3eCy5dX3du

— lemontang june 22 🍋🐬 (@adelia_put99991) June 9, 2026