Trending on X: iKON Fans Demand KATSEYE Fandom Name Change Due to “#RESPECT THE NAME” Controversy

Fans of the K-pop boy group iKON are urging for a change to the name of KATSEYE’s fandom, known as EYEKONS. The girl group revealed its official fandom name, EYEKONS, on April 12, 2024. However, the announcement received mixed reactions from netizens due to the similarity between EYEKONS and the name of the K-pop group iKON, which debuted on September 15, 2015.

EYEKONS cleverly combines “EYE”from the group’s name with the word “icon.”Nonetheless, many netizens argue that HYBE has copied iKON’s name for its girl group’s fandom. They pointed out that while the spellings differ in English, the names sound nearly identical in Korean. Despite ongoing requests from iKON supporters, HYBE has yet to address the situation.

iKON recently celebrated its 9th debut anniversary on September 15, 2024, with fans reiterating their demand for HYBE to recognize iKON’s contributions, expressing that the current name could harm the boy group. Fans took to social media to express their sentiments.

“RESPECT THE NAME,”fans trended on X.

“STEALING someone’s identity is not a good thing. Not original. iKON is the original. There are so many words in this world, why steal? Not creative,”a fan added.

“We were humbly asking you to just change your fandom name before you’ve made it official. And yet, you didn’t listen. So here we are, fighting for iKON’s rights! The name they have established for years!,”a user stated.

Supporters of iKON continue to demand a name change for the HYBE girl group’s fandom.

“We strongly request that the fandom name ‘EYEKONS/아이콘즈’ of KATSEYE, under HYBE and Geffen Records, be changed because it is very similar to the existing group ‘iKON/아이콘’,”a fan commented.

“Please change KATSEYE’s fandom name because EYEKONS has a similar pronunciation to the Korean boy group iKON,”a user wrote.

“No offense to the ladies… I thought their fandom name is EYEKONs but I don’t even hear the ‘S’ and ‘S’ is not even stressed enough. So, it is definitely too similar to iKON. The spelling doesn’t even make a difference. I really hope that their fandom name could be changed,”a fan said.

More about K-pop boy group iKON and HYBE’s rookie girl group KATSEYE

The K-pop group iKON was formed through a survival show called Mix & Match under YG Entertainment, debuting on September 15, 2015, with the song “My Type.”The group currently consists of six members: Bobby, Jay, JUNE, Song, DK, and Chan. Originally a seven-member group, leader B.I, also known as Kim Han-bin, left in June 2019.

On December 30, 2022, all members of iKON left YG Entertainment to join a new agency called 143 Entertainment, effective January 1, 2023. The group is known for hits like “RHYTHM TA,””Love Scenario,””WHY WHY WHY,”and “KILLING ME.”

Meanwhile, KATSEYE was formed through a survival program by HYBE and Universal Music Group named The Debut: Dream Academy, a collaborative effort between HYBE and Geffen Records. This six-member group features members from various nationalities: Manon, Yoonchae, Sophia, Daniela, Lara, and Megan.

KATSEYE officially debuted with their song “Debut”on June 28, 2024. They subsequently released another single titled “Touch”on July 26 and their first EP, “SIS (Soft is Strong),”on August 16.

Source