Hallyu
HYBE’s New Girl Group KATSEYE Under Fire for Copying the Name of iKON as their Fandom Name EYEKONS

Fans of K-pop group iKON have recently raised concerns over the choice of fandom name for the global girl group, KATSEYE, under Geffen Records and HYBE Entertainment.
KATSEYE members are Manon, Sophia, Daniela, Lara, Megan, and Yoonchae, is poised for a promising debut through the collaboration of HYBE x Universal Music Group on the survival show, The Debut: Dream Academy. However, amidst the anticipation surrounding their debut, the revelation of their fandom name ‘EYEKONS’ has sparked controversy within the K-pop community.
iKON fans furious with HYBE for "Stealing" Fandom Name #KATSEYE #EYECONSpic.twitter.com/8p3Bb02hwB— Hallyu Insider (@hallyu_insider) April 22, 2024
In the tradition of K-pop fandom culture, each group is bestowed with a unique fandom name that serves as a unifying identity for its supporters. For instance, fans of TREASURE are affectionately known as Treasure Makers (TEUME), while BLACKPINK enthusiasts proudly go by the name Blinks.
On April 12, KST, KATSEYE unveiled their chosen fandom name, “EYEKONS,” through a social media post. While the announcement excites their fans, it also drew criticism from netizens, who raised concerns over the name’s resemblance to that of Kpop group iKON.
iKON 아이콘 does exist. You should rename your fandom considering that iKON & eyekon are confusingly similar given the fact that they belong in the same industry. Where is your IPO? He/she must be aware of this fact. iKON is duly registered as a tradename, thus, protected by IPL. https://t.co/77piPOnawf— iKON : iLOVE🦒 (@LaGiRAFE_iKONIC) April 22, 2024
Not surprise. They already steal EYEKONS from iKON and now want to steal LILLY from LILIES. Stealing is HYBE specialty🤷🏻♀️pic.twitter.com/nqPuIyhiJw https://t.co/8q0yuaPxlI— notyourchingu (@notyourchingu2) April 22, 2024
they did it first with iKON with the fdm EYEKONS and that kateye whatsoever and now LILIES with another hybe group. Hybe can pay for everything except for vocals,talent and creative team LOL https://t.co/LY4PTNcPZb— 🍊🍒 (@hiraethraia) April 22, 2024
This isn't even us being furious. We've been respectfully calling their attention since Mar 1 & yet they still chose this fd name & announced it this month clearly disrespecting our artist & our fandom. This fandom's response to our request has also been to be rude & tactless— donna🍉 got nothing BUT YOU iKON!(PCD x2) (@Fluffy_Noona) April 22, 2024
you claimed we bully you, but you have zero respect to the name that was fought for with sweat, tears and blood for almost 9 years.
you can act that way coz you have bigger bullies behind you. but when you took what's not yours, in the future you'll reap what you sow.— CURTAIN CALLED ilsamil131🆔||¦||¦¦|¦ (@beksamsibil131) April 22, 2024
Hybe needs to stop now. My respect for this agency has left the building ages ago but this….where is the originality? 🙄 #iKONICS belongs to #iKON, PERIOD!!!! https://t.co/QQEl6oVxre— Patti_eonni (@Patti_Eonni) April 22, 2024
First HYBE copying LILLIES FANDOM TO LILLY
THEN ADOR calling out HYBE for using ILLIT to copy new jeans
And then HYBE copying iKON 아이콘’s name for KATSEYE fandom name “EYEKON 아이콘스“
0 originality and just for that quick buck and attention 👏👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/UwNCW49s1J— 🆔 x ||¦||¦¦ Liyennie 🍉 on break finding $$$$ (@liyenniee) April 22, 2024
Kpop boy group iKON made their debut under YG Entertainment in 2015 following the survival show Mix & Match, gained fame in South Korea in 2018 with their chart-topping track, Love Scenario. In January 2023, signed a new contract under 143 Entertainment.
Over the years, the K-pop group has garnered a dedicated fanbase known as iKONICs. Their supporters expressed dismay upon noticing the similarity between their fandom name and the newly proposed “EYEKONS” for KATSEYE.
HYBE tried, but did not succeed in winning iKON. 🤣 My faves are irrelevant huh? Offering a contract by your shitty company? 🤣
Now what they can do is to produce “eyekon” 🤣😭
This is iKON!
RESPECT THE NAME#RESPECTiKON #iKONnotEYEKONS #iKON #아이콘 #iKONICS pic.twitter.com/rE1FWmk2Qv— ||¦||¦¦ 송윤형 el • jinhwan & yunhyeong’s (@syheong22) April 23, 2024
iKON worked hard, & still doing their best despite all the struggles they have experienced in the past & present. So, your words “irrelevant”, “close to disbanding”, “nobody remembers” are blatantly disrespectful. Tbh, you can tell us, the fans, awful things, but pls not our boys— 𝑳𝒂. (@onlyikons) April 22, 2024
It's even worse because they're not stealing a fandom name but a boygroup name that is a registered trademark. https://t.co/zS8gCWcpPv— ccikonics (@ccikonics) April 22, 2024
@GeffenRecords @HYBEOFFICIALtwt, for ur awareness. @katseyeworld chosen fandom name, EYEKON (아이콘), shares the same Korean translation & pronunciation with an active KPOP boyband, iKON (아이콘)— Z (@goodgraciouz) April 22, 2024
the lack of originality is reeking. come on. y’all always brag about being the ‘best and biggest’ company nowadays so what is this?? 아이콘 and 아이콘스 are literally the same. can’t even be creative?? there’s no way they didn’t know about iKON. pls, at least show some respect. pic.twitter.com/uK9ZkHyYbL— ziα 씨 (@ikonstantexo) April 22, 2024
THEYRE NOT KPOP! THEYRE A GLOBAL GROUP!
then why have hangul in their introduction?
BCOZ THEIR COMPANY IS KOREAN!
…pick a struggle, srsly.— CURTAIN CALLED ilsamil131🆔||¦||¦¦|¦ (@beksamsibil131) April 22, 2024
honestly can’t they think of names like they had the chance to call themselves like eyelids, eyeliners, eyelashes, eyesore, eyeballs, eye bags, bullseye, sore eyes— shannon♡ikon (@junhwan27) April 23, 2024
Yall never learn. Having the same pronunciation will implicate each other’s business and just because ikon doesnt have a big fandom like Lisa doesnt mean yall can bully them. “Ikon” is already trademarked, your faves’ company shouldve known better. Go home kid https://t.co/YGM33mVZeU— JACY 🖤 (@ahyeoniv3rse) April 22, 2024
This isn’t the first time HYBE has faced backlash over perceived lack of creativity in naming. Just recently, fans of BLACKPINK’s Lisa criticized the company for allegedly “stealing” a fandom name, further fueling discontent within the fan community.
HYBE creative team was paid to be a copycat. https://t.co/OYcWJmaMkH pic.twitter.com/X5IjFm2kcV— notyourchingu (@notyourchingu2) April 23, 2024
They also did it with SNSD Tiffany's fandom name 😭
Her fans are called Young Ones. For their 2nd bg, they officially announced the fandom name "Young One" before changing it to the fandom name they have now 💀 https://t.co/AGfY9IDZMf— Pinkie 🎀 (@mymelotae) April 22, 2024
Stealing is Hybe’s specialty. I mean copyKATS is available 🤣 https://t.co/RmmBUgpX6O pic.twitter.com/YeEtzOqeH8— SiR ROBERT 2.28 (@U_SiR_) April 22, 2024
“chosen by the fans”
afaik they had a say in it as well. there’s no way they didn’t know about an existing group named iKON and that’s what’s making me shake. they fought for their name after leaving yg so they don’t deserve this. the disrespect is insane pic.twitter.com/egopVCXeQX— ziα 씨 (@ikonstantexo) April 22, 2024
AND LEAVE iKON ALONE OMGG, iKON names have been in use for 9 years before your girls even appeared on the surface, are you not ashamed of stealing another group's name and now acting as if you were hurt by us? Fuck u and ur fd https://t.co/CoaN5Zloy2— NaCl 0,9% (@ISTJChanw00) April 22, 2024
They could be given the name EYEKONICs simply why try to create confusions purposely??
Hybe keeps stealing other's names wtf
1st it was txt , then illit and now katseye???
This company is so disrespectful— Annie ☆😈☆🐢🐇☆🖤🩷☆ (@jichulovebaemon) April 22, 2024
RESPECT THE NAME#RESPECTiKON #iKONnotEYEKONS #iKON #아이콘 #iKONICS
pic.twitter.com/blAl7hwXGQ— Shang 🐺 (@nektonicjuneya) April 23, 2024
Will HYBE going to address the concerns raised by fans?