TXT’s latest comeback with Love Language has sparked heated debates online. Fans have pointed out similarities between the song’s choreography and SHINee’s Taemin’s Guilty, leading to plagiarism allegations against TXT and their agency, HYBE.
What Sparked the Controversy
On May 2, 2025, TXT released their digital single Love Language, marking their first comeback in months. The pop track, known for its catchy and romantic vibe, was well-received by many fans. That same day, TXT performed the song on Music Bank, showcasing the full choreography for the first time.
A specific dance move caught attention: the members lift their shirts, exposing their abs while mimicking a heartbeat motion. This step went viral but quickly drew comparisons to a signature move in Taemin’s 2023 solo track Guilty, where he lifts his shirt and places his hand over his mouth. Fans of SHINee and Taemin noted the visual similarities, accusing TXT of copying the choreography.
“They copied the point move exactly, so how are they claiming they ‘took inspiration’?”
“The lean and the shirt lift are very similar to Taemin’s Guilty move.”
Some fans also pointed out resemblances in the concept photos for Love= Love Language, noting similarities in the aesthetic and styling to Guilty’s promotional visuals. These claims fueled online discussions, with accusations directed at HYBE, TXT’s agency, for allegedly drawing inspiration from Taemin’s work.
HYBE’s Past Remarks on Taemin Resurface
The controversy gained traction when fans revisited leaked HYBE documents from earlier discussions. In these documents, Taemin’s Guilty concept was described as “shota-like,” a term implying a youthful, boyish charm that some interpreted as derogatory.
Fans criticized HYBE for allegedly mocking Taemin’s concept while seemingly borrowing elements from it. One netizen remarked:
“Hybe dragged Taemin for his concept, calling it ped0 material, but they didn’t hesitate to draw some ‘inspiration’ from it, from the choreo to the concept photos.”
This added fuel to the debate, with some accusing HYBE of hypocrisy. Many fans expressed frustration, noting that Taemin, a veteran artist, had been unfairly targeted by HYBE in the past.
Fan Reactions and Defenses
The allegations sparked heated debates across social media platforms like X. While some fans strongly believed TXT’s choreography was a “cheap copy” of Guilty, others defended the group, arguing that the similarities were coincidental or inspired by common K-pop trends.
“Anyone with a functioning brain can see that TXT is doing a heartbeat movement, which was also done by J-Hope in early 2023. How the hell did we get to plagiarizing Guilty when Taemin’s movement wasn’t a heartbeat?”
“I’m not much of a Taemin fan, but I love Guilty. I didn’t think Guilty ONCE while watching TXT’s choreo for Love Language.”
Supporters of TXT emphasized that lifting shirts or exposing abs is a common dance move in K-pop, not exclusive to Taemin. They also noted that choreography often builds on existing trends, and the heartbeat motion in Love Language differed from Guilty’s mouth-covering gesture. Some fans clarified:
“It’s not plagiarism because it is different but similar, so it’s more than likely influenced by Taemin, but not a direct copy.”
Many fans expressed sympathy for TXT, arguing that the group should not be blamed for decisions made by their agency or choreographers. They highlighted TXT’s talent and urged others to focus on the music rather than fueling fandom wars.
“I feel bad for TXT because they don’t deserve to be caught up in this controversy. It’s the responsibility of HYBE to ensure originality.”
Details of TXT’s Love Language
Love Language is a vibrant pop track that showcases TXT’s signature youthful energy. The song’s lyrics revolve around themes of love and connection, delivered with a playful and romantic tone. The choreography, performed by Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Huening Kai, features dynamic movements and bold visuals, with the shirt-lifting move becoming a focal point of discussion.
The Music Bank performance highlighted TXT’s polished stage presence, with fans praising their synchronization and charisma. Despite the controversy, the song gained popularity, trending on platforms like YouTube and MelOn shortly after release.
Taemin’s Guilty: A Benchmark in K-Pop
Taemin’s Guilty, released on October 30, 2023, is a critically acclaimed mini-album under SM Entertainment. The title track explores themes of selfish love, with haunting lyrics and a dramatic orchestral sound. The choreography, crafted by SM Entertainment’s Kasper and Bada Lee, is known for its eerie, zombie-like movements and emotional depth.
The iconic shirt-lifting move, where Taemin places his hand over his mouth, became a viral trend, inspiring dance challenges across platforms like TikTok. The music video, praised for its cinematic quality, portrays Taemin’s inner turmoil, earning accolades for his performance and artistry.
“The choreography makes one feel really uneasy. The way he swiftly reaches beneath his shirt, grabs his own chin, and moves his head from side to side—it’s powerful.”
Taemin, a member of SHINee since 2008, is celebrated for his innovative concepts and boundary-pushing performances. His work on Guilty solidified his reputation as a K-pop icon, making the plagiarism allegations particularly sensitive for his fans, known as Shawols.
Industry Context and Choreography Trends
Choreography in K-pop often draws inspiration from global dance trends, cultural aesthetics, and past performances. Moves like shirt-lifting or exposing abs have appeared in various K-pop acts, including BTS’s J-Hope and ZICO, as fans pointed out. This commonality led some to argue that TXT’s choreography was part of a broader trend rather than a direct copy.
“The delivery box packaging has been used by ZICO in 2020 and by international artists before that. It’s not original to Layover or Guilty.”
However, the specific combination of the shirt lift and the lean in Love Language closely mirrored Guilty’s aesthetic, prompting scrutiny. The debate also reignited discussions about originality in K-pop, where agencies often collaborate with the same choreographers, stylists, and creative directors.
Current Status of the Controversy
As of May 3, 2025, neither HYBE nor SM Entertainment has issued an official statement addressing the allegations. Fans continue to debate the issue online, with some urging HYBE to clarify the choreography’s inspiration. Others hope to avoid further escalation, noting the positive relationship between TXT and Taemin in the industry.
TXT is focusing on promoting Love Language, with scheduled appearances on music shows like M Countdown and Inkigayo. Meanwhile, Taemin remains active with SHINee and solo projects, with fans eagerly awaiting his next release.
CREDITS: X (twitter)
