Blackpink member Lisa has found herself at the center of an unexpected controversy just days after releasing her latest solo single. Her new music video for “SaWaDiKa” has been accused of using a design that closely resembles the work of London-based Syrian artist and designer Zeina. The accusation, shared publicly on Instagram, has sparked a heated debate among fans and observers about artistic credit, cultural inspiration, and the obligations of creative teams when borrowing from independent designers. The situation has since taken a positive turn, according to the artist, but it has also left many people reflecting on how such incidents are handled.
Lisa’s new single and the growing controversy
Lisa, a member of the global K-pop group Blackpink, released “SaWaDiKa” on September 4 as a pre-release single from her upcoming EP, “Press Play.” The track marks a return to her Thai roots and showcases a shift back to rap and hip-hop. It arrived at a crucial moment in her career, as she is also preparing for the theatrical release of her documentary “Always Lalisa.” The song itself was well received by fans, with many praising the music video’s dynamic visuals and cultural references. But the celebratory atmosphere was soon disturbed by an online accusation from an artist who claimed her original design had been used without proper credit. The controversy quickly grew, raising questions that go beyond the music industry into the world of fashion and visual art.
Zeina’s claim: a replica of her coined headphone design
Zeina, a London-based creative of Syrian origin, took to Instagram on Friday to call out the visual team behind the “SaWaDiKa” music video. She identified a golden accessory worn by Lisa in the video as being a “replica” of her own “coined headphone” idea. According to Zeina, the design was inspired by her Arab heritage and was the result of her own original creative work. In her post, she asked why the team had not acknowledged her contribution when the similarities between the designs were so evident. The piece in question is a distinctive headpiece or ear accessory that appears prominently in the video, and it quickly attracted attention from viewers who recognized Zeina’s work.
Zeina’s use of the word “replica” was deliberate. She made it clear that in her view, the design was not simply a generic cultural artifact that anyone could use freely. Instead, it was a specific artistic creation that she had developed through her own research and design practice. The fact that Lisa wore the accessory in a high-profile music video meant that the design was being exposed to an audience of millions. For Zeina, this amplified the sense of injustice, because the work was presented without context or credit, making it appear as though it had been created by the production team rather than by an independent designer.
The design and its cultural roots
Zeina’s original “coined headphone” concept reflects a blend of contemporary accessory design and motifs drawn from Arab visual culture. Coins have a long history in Middle Eastern jewelry, where they are used in headpieces, necklaces, and other ornaments. Zeina said her design was inspired by this heritage and by her own personal background. This cultural layer made the dispute especially sensitive. When designers from marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds create work that references traditional elements, they often feel a strong sense of ownership over that meaning. Seeing those symbols recreated by a big production without acknowledgment can feel like erasure, regardless of whether the usage was intentionally exploitative or a case of coincidence.
The visual similarities between Zeina’s work and the accessory in “SaWaDiKa” were enough to convince many observers. Screenshots comparing the two images circulated widely, showing what appeared to be the same general shape and decorative logic. Some users noted that the piece fit well with Lisa’s Thai-inspired styling, since Thailand also has a rich tradition of elaborate jewelry and ornamentation. That overlap may have contributed to the confusion, with the creative team possibly believing the accessory was an original creation for the video. Still, supporters of Zeina argue that intention matters less than the impact on the original artist. If a design is copied, even inadvertently, the creator deserves to be credited and possibly compensated.
The social media reaction and divided opinions
As soon as Zeina’s original post went live, social media became a battlefield of opinions. Many fans of Blackpink and Lisa defended the singer, noting that she is not personally responsible for the creative choices made by her styling and production teams. Others argued that the video’s visual artists should take accountability and that Lisa, as the leading figure, should also be aware of what is featured in her work. The debate quickly expanded into a broader conversation about cultural appropriation and the way K-pop borrows visual traditions from throughout Asia and the Middle East.
Supporters of Zeina expressed frustration at what they saw as yet another case of an independent artist not being paid or credited for their creative labor. They pointed out that if Zeina had not spoken up, no one would have known that the design had a specific origin. A number of Arab and Middle Eastern designers also voiced solidarity with her, sharing their own stories of having their work copied by larger manufacturers and entertainment companies. At the same time, skeptics argued that the design might be based on a shared historical style, making it difficult to claim exclusive ownership. The middle ground was occupied by those who said that a simple credit would have been enough to avoid the entire conflict.
A quick development: Zeina says she was contacted
Just hours after Zeina raised the accusation, the situation appeared to be moving toward a resolution. In an update posted to her original social media thread, Zeina revealed that she had been contacted by visual artist Nanist, who is credited with work on the “SaWaDiKa” music video. According to Zeina, Nanist recognized her contribution and credited her in the inspiration sketches for the coined headphone concept. This update was significant because it showed that the issue could be resolved quickly through direct communication rather than through lengthy legal escalation or continued public criticism.
Zeina did not announce any intention to pursue further action, which suggested that the acknowledgment she had asked for had been provided. The fact that Nanist reached out so quickly also implies that the creative team may have been unaware of the design’s origin, or at least was willing to make amends once the issue was raised. By giving credit to Zeina in the inspiration sketches, the team acknowledged that the accessory was not an original idea conceived entirely within the production. This type of retroactive credit is not always common in such disputes, but it helped de-escalate tensions and demonstrated that the artists involved were open to listening.
Credit and cultural inspiration in modern music videos
This incident fits into a larger pattern of debates around visual credits in the music industry. Music videos are collaborative works that rely on stylists, set designers, choreographers, and visual artists. Yet the credits for these videos often focus on the performers and directors, while individual designers of particular props or garments may go unnoticed. When a piece is custom-made by a major fashion house, it is usually credited and publicized. But when a small or independent designer contributes to a visual concept, their role can be overshadowed. Social media has made it easier for those artists to speak up and claim their credit, but it has also exposed how frequently those credits are lacking.
The K-pop industry, in particular, has faced repeated criticism for borrowing cultural imagery from other countries, often without proper contextualization. Korean pop acts frequently incorporate elements of African American culture, Middle Eastern aesthetics, South Asian religious symbols, and other traditions into their music videos and stage productions. Some fans see this as global appreciation and creative expression. Others view it as cultural appropriation, especially when the original communities do not receive recognition or respect. In Lisa’s case, the situation is made more complex by the fact that she is a Thai artist representing a Korean group, and her solo work often highlights her Southeast Asian roots. Her latest video intentionally draws on Thai visual language, which is different from appropriating another culture. However, the inclusion of a design with Arab elements demonstrates that even well-intentioned cultural celebrations can intersect with another person’s ownership claims.
Lisa’s career and what comes next
Lisa, born Lalisa Manoban, has remained one of the most prominent figures in K-pop since Blackpink’s debut in 2016. The group’s global popularity has allowed each of its members to pursue solo activities. Lisa’s solo releases “Lalisa” and “Money” achieved enormous streaming numbers, and she has also become a major ambassador for several luxury fashion brands. Her upcoming documentary, “Always Lalisa,” is expected to offer fans a closer look at her journey from Thailand to South Korea and her rise to global stardom. The documentary comes at a time when Lisa is expanding her presence beyond music, with acting and producing opportunities reportedly being considered.
“SaWaDiKa” is positioned to be an important part of that narrative. The title, which echoes a common Thai greeting, is a proud statement of her roots. Lisa has often said that she wants to introduce Thai culture to an international audience. The song’s sound also marks a return to the rap style that first made her stand out as a trainee. For many of her fans, this new chapter represents a more confident and mature artistic persona. The controversy over the design may be a minor setback, but it also highlights the fact that representing a culture is not always straightforward, especially when visual traditions overlap with the work of individual artists.
Source:MSN News