HYBE subsidiary Supertone Co. launches virtual girl group SYNDI8, netizens question if the group 'strongly referenced' aespa

Supertone Co., an AI audio and sound technology company owned by HYBE Labels, has launched its virtual girl group SYNDI8 on June 27.

SYNDI8 consist of members Canary, Nest, Goyo, and Raven. The group’s 1st single album, ‘MVP’, was released worldwide on June 27 and contains 3 tracks, including the title track “ATOTA” and b-side tracks “My Fantasy” and “True Color”.

The girl group promotes mainly in a virtual realm known as Nansy Land, a realm based on sound where voices act as energy that powers the world. The members of SYNDI8 also use their unique voices to call upon their magical powers.

Notably, some Korean netizens have begun to question if the Supertone girl group “strongly referenced” a real-life K-Pop idol group, aespa.

Some initially began raising questions after finding out that one of the members was named Canary, which, when pronounced in Korean, sounds like “Kanari”. It was further pointed out that the virtual idol Canary’s height and MBTI (168 cm, ENFP) are the same as the height and MBTI of aespa member Karina.

Some Korean netizens criticized,

“The virtual group’s album covers reminds me of aespa’s ‘Girls‘ album cover.”

“They really put no effort into naming the members.”

“One of the members is named after Karina and the group’s name is also like The8 lol.”

“Kanari?? I think they’re doing it on purpose kekekeke.”

“At this point, I don’t think anyone at HYBE is capable of creating anything original unless they reference something already in existence.”

“How about instead of Kanari, they go with Kkanari (Pacific sand lance) kekekeke.”

“Are they seriously trying to step on aespa with those horrendous character designs.”

“Her outfit is similar to the one Karina wore for the ‘K-Link Festival’.”

“Bang Si Hyuk must really love aespa.”

“Forget the reference, the character designs just suck.”