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EXO-Ls slam Filo star Felip's plagiarism response, bring back Lay's 1-minute credit for 'Lit'

P-pop idol Felip aka Ken of SB19 has been accused of copying Lay Zhang's 'Lit' oriental and mythological concept for 'Bulan'

It looks like Ken’s solo comeback has been marred by plagiarism claims. The Filo star who is also part of the P-pop boy group SB19 debuted as a soloist with his real name Felip in 2021. He made his first solo comeback with ‘Bulan’ on May 29. With Bulan being a moon god of Philippine mythology, Felip went for a fantastical and oriental concept for the music video and song ‘Bulan’. However, some EXO-Ls and XBACKS (Lay's fandom) feel that there were way too many similarities between Felip’s comeback and Lay Zhang’s ‘Lit’.

EXO member and C-pop idol Lay aka Zhang Yixing is known for incorporating Chinese culture and mythology into his music videos as seen with his recent releases ‘Lit’ and ‘Flying Apsaras’. After watching Felip’s ‘Bulan’, fans claimed that the Filo idol had plagiarized from Lay Zhang and created an uproar on social media. Well, on May 31, Felip released a detailed response addressing the plagiarism claims. But it looks like it has done the opposite of quelling fans’ displeasure.

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Felip explains ‘Bulan’ concept

Felip explained that while making music, inspiration does come into play and that “it is inevitable for any of my songs to have similarities in style with other artists as I often harness my musical references when creating…like Post Malone, Lay Zhang…” He went on to state that technically ‘Bulan’ and ‘Lit’ were different as his song took on indigenous Filipino ritual music and gave a detailed explanation of how his music video was heavily inspired by Philippine culture. He ended his statement by sharing that many Asian countries would have similarities in culture and that he would be giving credit to Lay’s ‘Lit’ music video as it was indeed one of the many references used. Felip added that since he was a fan of Lay, he did not intend to copy or plagiarize.

‘Respect Zhang Yixing’

EXO fans are not satisfied with Felip’s response and are claiming that he gave credit only because he was called out. They also brought back the 1-minute long end credit scene of Lay’s ‘Lit’ music video where he acknowledged every single person involved. One XBACK was blunt, “‘Acknowledging it(Lit MV) as one of the references we used…’’...We did not intend to copy…’ SURE! THEN, TAKE IT DOWN NOW. RESPECT ZHANG YIXING.”

Another fan commented, “We all know how Yixing loves his craft so much. Remember when Flying asparas mv not being released and they gave us a visualizer instead coz yixing is not satisfied with the output. Then now, you all are romanticizing plagiarism and giving credit coz you are called out.”

One pointed out, “Yixing has always been very generous and is more than willing to share. However, I believe credit should be given where it’s due, such as crediting Yixing in the MV itself.”

One EXO-L shared why they were upset, “Well I appreciate that but you should have given yixing credits in the first place because your work was inspired by it...so put the credit in the MV and then we'll all be fine. Yixing puts all efforts on his concepts so both Exo-l and Xback were upset with your song.”

Another added, “Not at yixing providing a whole damn 1 minute and 28 seconds just to give credit to hundreds of people who worked hard with him in the LIT music video. LET'S BE INSPIRED BY THIS, PEOPLE!”

Filo fans also pointed out the similarities, “Shut up. I'm a Filipino teacher & Philippine Mythology is one of the things I teach my students. While I do recognize the attempt to incorporate PH Mythology in that MV, the main issue here is the SIMILARITIES--from the MV, music, beat, ALMOST EVERYTHING screams LIT MV by Yixing.”

Another XBACK commented, “As a pinoy mej nakakahiya for Yixing grabe , we all know how much Yixing treasures his nationality and its culture, that's why he's creating such masterpieces. For them, to blatantly say that this work is all Felip's ideas. DUH DID YOU THINK NO ONE WAS LISTENING TO YIXING'S MUSIC.” One joked, “Yixing in his office jotting down the people that took 'inspiration' from the lit mv.”

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