Hearts2Hearts’ Concept Photos Stir Debate Over “Copying” Japan’s Purikura Trend
Hearts2Hearts has found itself at the center of unexpected online backlash following the release of teaser images styled after vintage photo booth stickers—also known as purikura in Japan. Japanese netizens have expressed anger, claiming Korea is copying a trend that originated in Japan.
The controversy erupted on social media shortly after the group’s teaser photos were posted, with the official account receiving a flood of quote tweets and critical comments from Japanese users. Many argued that sticker photo booths are uniquely Japanese cultural products, questioning why Korean artists were using similar visuals.
However, Korean netizens quickly clapped back. Popular forum Theqoo saw a wave of responses pushing back against the claim that Korea was copying Japan. Some of the top-voted comments include:
- But our country also had those in the 90s. Are they joking?
- The inferiority complex is insane.
- Why are they like that…
- ? But my unnie is an ’89-er and she used to take so many of those in her choding (elementary school) days too?
- We also took sticker photos in Korea too~!!!!! It appeared in the 90s, why should we copy you? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
- No but it’s not from Japan….
- But your purikura’s editing is different from us…?
Fans argue that sticker photo booths were widely used in Korea during the late 90s and early 2000s as well, and that their use in the teasers reflects nostalgic Y2K aesthetics rather than cultural appropriation. Despite the backlash, the controversy may be giving Hearts2Hearts more visibility than ever.
