K-Pop Light Stick War: THE BOYZ Gains Industry Support, QWER Under Fire

By Jieun, Baek

Oct 01, 2025

K-Pop Light Stick War THE BOYZ Gains Industry Support, QWER Under Fire



THE BOYZ has a strong supporter on their back in the light stick war against QWER. Will QWER apologize for this incident.

On the 30th, the Korea Management Association (hereinafter referred to as Han Mae-yeon) issued a statement regarding the controversy over the similarity of light sticks between The Boyz and QWER.

"Cheering tools are unique symbols that connect artists and fandom and are important identity assets in K-pop fandom culture," Han Mae-yeon said. This controversy not only violates the pride of certain artists and fandom, but also leads to unnecessary conflicts between fandom and undermines industry trust." In fact, he was on the side of THE BOYZ.




K-Pop Light Stick War THE BOYZ Gains Industry Support, QWER Under Fire
In addition, he said he expects QWER to actively cooperate in solving the problem, adding that `No matter what problem arises, slander and hatred that go too far cannot be tolerated. This alliance will firmly deal with these issues and contribute to the establishment of a mature fandom culture. In addition, we will do our best to help discuss it through a fair mediation process. We will seek to improve the perception of the industry through various attempts, including campaigns and education, so that the industry's fair system, such as protection, valuation, and deliberation of intangible assets, can be established."

The Korea Entertainment Producers Association (hereinafter referred to as the Federation of Korean Entertainment Producers) also stepped up. On the 29th, the Federation of Economic Cooperation said "Institutional overhaul is urgently needed to protect intellectual property rights and creativity. It actively urges the establishment of standard guidelines so that protective devices can be clearly applied to the meaningful creative assets of each agency, artist, and fandom. A culture of mutual understanding and respect between fandom should be established. The association and related agencies will do their best to mediate between the parties and come up with effective measures to prevent recurrence. In the future, we will emphasize the initial planning-deliberation system so that the pre-registration, public review, and industry pre-consultation process of official goods design can be established."

K-Pop Light Stick War THE BOYZ Gains Industry Support, QWER Under Fire
Two of the three biggest associations in the entertainment industry ruled in favor of THE BOYZ. As a result, attention is being paid to whether QWER will apologize for the controversy over the similarity of light sticks.




QWER recently made the official light stick of the World Tour 'Location' in the shape of a loudspeaker. However, controversy arose because the loudspeaker-shaped light stick has already been used as an official light stick after THE BOYZ has already registered its design rights in 2022. THE BOYZ agency Won Hundred requested a design change, etc., but failed to reach a consultation", suggesting a strong response, including legal action, but QWER expressed regret for the legal response and countered that "there is no problem with copyright as a result of expert confirmation.".








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