&TEAM’s “FIREWORK” Choreographers Under Fire For Allegedly Plagiarizing SEVENTEEN’s Choreography

HYBE LABELS JAPAN’s first global group &TEAM recently released their second mini album, First Howling: WE, and announced at their media showcase that they’re preparing to promote in Korea for the first time since their December 2022 debut.

The members are currently promoting their new songs, including the title track, “FIREWORK,” and are earning attention for their creative and dynamic choreography and strong performance skills for a rookie group, which was formed through the idol competition program &AUDITION- The Howling.

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&TEAM performing Road Not Taken + Firework at today's showcase
https://t.co/meEFbMh5qR#andTEAM #엔팀 @andTEAMofficial pic.twitter.com/wSuMVozAp0

— &TEAM GLOBAL (@andteamglobal) June 18, 2023

Netizens quickly noticed, however, that the choreography for “FIREWORK” strongly resembled choreography from SEVENTEEN‘s songs.

One netizen compiled the moments in question and played SEVENTEEN’s and &TEAM’s choreography back-to-back for comparison.

안녕하세용 여러분… 갑작스럽지만 영상 한 번만 확인하고 의견 내주시면 감사하겠습니답

전 아무리 봐도 안무가 너무 비슷한 것 같아서요

진짜 다 너무한 와중에 엘리베이터 안무가 특히… 특징 강한 안무인데 빼다 박은 수준 아닌가 싶네요

나머지도 있는데 좀 애매해서 타래로 잇겠습니다 pic.twitter.com/DlFj6ayBIB

— 마지 (@majidatta_17) June 18, 2023

Lee Ga Hun, who has worked with HYBE Labels artists before as a choreographer and performance director, was credited as the main choreographer for “FIREWORK.”

The fact that the main choreographer has worked with HYBE Labels artists in the past added frustration for fans, who wanted to see credit given to SEVENTEEN and their creative team, who have worked together to create the choreography for many of SEVENTEEN’s songs.

even you are from same label this is not a right to copy exactly formation of choreo other group plus different agency I believe have a different choreographer too. Pls investigates who choreograph this dance

— bellaAria_A (@bellaAria_06) June 18, 2023

As the video comparing the choreography gained more views, hashtags calling for recognition began to trend on Twitter.

CARATs, SEVENTEEN’s fans, continue to voice their frustration toward &TEAM’s choreography team for the lack of credit for SEVENTEEN and their creative team, and ask that credit be given for the strong similarities in choreography.

Damn the key moves literally were used in BETS last year. How can a choreographer, on top of that Performance Director,missed to give credits using in recent works???

STOP PLAGIARISING SEVENTEEN#givecredit_toSEVENTEEN #세븐틴의_안무를_표절하는_것_이젠_그만 @HYBEOFFICIALtwt

— boa ???????? (@boa_meow3) June 18, 2023

Just give recognition to the origin creator even for choreographers.
Give credits

STOP PLAGIARISING SEVENTEEN#givecredit_toSEVENTEEN #세븐틴의_안무를_표절하는_것_이젠_그만 @HYBEOFFICIALtwt

— boa ???????? (@boa_meow3) June 18, 2023

pls respect svt’s hard work. they’ve risen to the top through heavy involvement in creating their choreographies and performance. atleast credit them if they inspired yall

STOP PLAGIARISING SEVENTEEN#givecredit_toSEVENTEEN #세븐틴의_안무를_표절하는_것_이젠_그만 @HYBEOFFICIALtwt

— shanie ggyu! (@minwonshu) June 18, 2023

There has been no official response to the plagiarism allegations from the “FIREWORK” choreography team at this time.