SM Entertainment recently released RIIZE‘s official VALENTINE’S DAYZE merch, which included dolls for each member. However, fans noticed something familiar about one of the particular dolls.
2024 RIIZE VALENTINE’S DAYZE OFFICIAL MD ONLINE SALES NOTICE
Sales Day
2024. 02. 14 (WED) 15:00 ~ 2024. 02. 20 (TUE) 23:59 [KST]
Online Store
SMTOWN &STORE : https://t.co/lfh23pwdjR
SM True Store : https://t.co/oXV0VGn3Or
YES24 : https://t.co/R3HVGnDb6O
Ktown4u :… pic.twitter.com/Frt9G8OGwJ
— RIIZE (@RIIZE_official) February 13, 2024
The doll for Wonbin‘s key ring appeared extremely similar to a design from a JYP Entertainment group.
RIIZE’s VALENTINE’S DAYZE dolls. | @RIIZE_official/Twitter
Stray Kids fans noticed the doll’s face and differently-shaped ears looked nearly identical to a character design Lee Know drew years ago. They immediately accused SM Entertainment of “stealing” Lee Know’s design.
This issue is getting boring, lets clear the air with facts. LK created the pose. The plushy is very clearly inspired by LKs drawing (even the eyes looking up). Why go to such lenghts to deny the obvious? SM is smart for stealing the idea & JYPE stupid for always disregarding LK. pic.twitter.com/VcMTrqCxTe
— LeeDon’tKnow (@Lee_May_Know) February 13, 2024
However, everything wasn’t as it seemed because the company wasn’t the one who created RIIZE’s dolls.
RIIZE’s Wonbin | @RIIZE_official/Twitter
Through a Weverse post and a video clip, Anton and Shotaro confirmed the members created the doll designs themselves.
confirmed: the members designed the dolls themselves, from drawing to naming https://t.co/S9wv60Teel pic.twitter.com/0IVhJiiUIv
— 넷 (@riize_net) February 13, 2024
RIIZE fans pointed out that Wonbin’s design for the doll was a coincidence because the three animals used in the design were based on what his fans, members, and friends associated with him.
fans: *trying to figure out which animals to use for wonbin’s fanmade doll, making 2-3 versions of the same doll bc he has identity crisis every other days*
wonbin: my doll has cat ears, bunny ears, carrying a duck and its name is “bunnycatduck” pic.twitter.com/B7n5yM6m2C
— 넷 (@riize_net) February 13, 2024
Wonbin doesn’t know about this, he’s not Lee know fan to know this. Wonbin doll has 3 animals: a cat bc he has cat eyes and fans like it, a rabbit bc he has bunny teeth and his member Anton supports it, and a duck bc Wonbin was called a duck by his friends predebut, hope it helps https://t.co/sJQkKjzTEx
— bapeboy0203 (@bapeboy_0203) February 13, 2024
Neither SM Entertainment nor JYP Entertainment have addressed the similarities between Lee Know’s design and Wonbin’s doll.
Stray Kids’ Lee Know
