Lisa’s “SaWaDiKa” MV Sparks Backlash Over Alleged Design Theft From Syrian Artist

Another comeback, another copying controversy. BLACKPINK’s Lisa is facing fresh backlash after fans accused her “SaWaDiKa” music video of lifting a headgear design from Syrian artist Zeina, reigniting long-standing criticism about K-pop’s history with uncredited cultural borrowing.

SaWaDiKa: Overview

What Sparked the Controversy

The controversy erupted after eagle-eyed fans noticed striking similarities between the headgear worn by Lisa in her “SaWaDiKa” music video and a design created by Syrian artist Zeina. Once the comparison started circulating online, it quickly gained traction, with critics accusing Lisa’s creative team of copying the design without initial acknowledgment.

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A post shared by زينة (@the.zeina)

Fans React Strongly

The backlash on social media was swift and pointed. One user wrote, “LISA is such a COPYCAT. This is stealing of art. So disgusted,” while another highlighted a broader pattern, noting it wasn’t the first time Lisa had faced similar accusations. Several fans specifically called out the exploitation angle, arguing that if the design was genuinely wanted, the right move would have been to collaborate directly with Zeina rather than replicate her work and issue credit only after public pressure.

Others used the moment to raise larger concerns about the K-pop industry’s track record, with one comment reading, “Kpop agencies have long and dark history of copying things without caring about cultural context, shame.” The recurring theme among critics was frustration that acknowledgment tends to come only after public exposure rather than through upfront collaboration.

Credit Given After Backlash

Following the wave of criticism, Zeina confirmed that Lisa’s “SaWaDiKa” creative team had credited her after the copying claims surfaced. While this resolved the immediate dispute, many fans remain unsatisfied, arguing that proper attribution should happen before release rather than as a reactive measure once accusations go viral.

This isn’t the first time Lisa has faced plagiarism-related criticism, with past controversies involving choreography and styling choices in previous releases fueling similar conversations about credit and cultural sensitivity in the K-pop industry.

For more K-pop news, controversy updates, and comeback coverage, check out TechnoSports — including our K-pop news hub and BLACKPINK updates archive.

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