Lightstick drama turns personal for QWER’s Siyoung
The K-pop merch wars just got personal. Siyoung from rookie girl group QWER has taken to social media to address waves of online harassment following the group’s alleged lightstick plagiarism scandal with THE BOYZ.
“Say more — you’re fueling my drive,” she says
On May 30, Siyoung fired back with grace and grit via a fan communication platform. “To the people visiting my Instagram to say unspeakable things — go ahead and say more,” she wrote. “Thanks for the dopamine. The more you push, the more I rise. Good night, my motivators.”
She followed up with a more serious message: “I know I might get scolded again, but I can’t stay silent. Even if you’re anonymous online, baseless personal attacks just aren’t okay. Everyone has their own reasons, but taking it out on others will only come back to you.”
The controversy: Battle of the lightsticks
The uproar began when QWER unveiled their new official lightstick — just in time for their Seoul concert kickoff on their first world tour. Fans pointed out its megaphone-shaped design closely resembled THE BOYZ’s lightstick, which has been in use since 2021.
THE BOYZ’s agency responded swiftly, stating they had tried negotiating with QWER’s side about altering the design but talks fell through. “We are currently considering all legal avenues to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” the agency warned.
QWER says: No copyright issue
In a rebuttal, QWER’s agency expressed disappointment over THE BOYZ going public with legal threats. “We had been discussing the matter peacefully. Moreover, lawyers and intellectual property experts have reviewed our design and confirmed no copyright infringement,” the statement read.
Industry steps in: Mediation on the way
With tension rising, the Korea Entertainment Producer’s Association is stepping in to mediate. The association pledged to establish a neutral discussion platform and work toward preventing future merch-related conflicts in K-pop, possibly reshaping how fandom goods are handled.
Merch still on — with or without drama
Despite the backlash, QWER will go ahead with official merchandise — lightstick included — at their Seoul show. Whether fans see it as a copy or coincidence, the merch table will still be fully stocked.
Final thoughts
Siyoung’s clapback wasn’t just for the haters — it was a call to rethink how far fans and critics go in the name of loyalty. In a world where even lightsticks spark legal firestorms, maybe it’s time for a little more light and a lot less heat.
