Rookie Japanese Group BALLISTIK BOYZ Allegedly Copies BTS's Group Concept

A Japanese boy group has recently become the center of controversy as online communities contained accusations that the group copied BTS.

Managed by a Japanese company called LDH Entertainment, BALLISTIK BOYZ was introduced to the public in May 2018. The term “BALLISTIK” in their team name stands for bullets. EXILE’s Hiro, the producer of the group, explained, “As all the members carry microphones, and as vocal and rap responsibilities change according to each song, [we had] a strong image of a speedy bolt of lightning that constantly varies.”

BALLISTIK BOYZ consists of seven members including Hidaka Ryuta, Kanou Yoshiyuki, Kaninuma Ryusei, Fukahori Miku, Okuda Rikiya, Matsui Riki, and Sunada Masahiro. The average age of the members is 18.8.

All seven members are said to be talented in both singing and dancing. According to their agency, BALLISTIK BOYZ does not have assigned rapper or vocalist positions to their members. Instead, all the members are capable of taking the center.

Because BTS stands for Bulletproof Boy Scouts in Korean, the team name BALLISTIK BOYZ is especially reminiscent of BTS, according to some fans. Fans have pointed out that the group’s name, the number of members, the group photo, and even each member’s characteristics are strikingly similar to the popular Korean boy group.

Source (1)