BTS’ highly anticipated comeback has been overshadowed by an unexpected wave of controversy after the teaser for their upcoming music video “NORMAL” ignited heated debate across social media. While countless ARMYs praised the teaser’s quirky humor and bold visual direction, others slammed its unconventional “toilet” concept, calling it bizarre, inappropriate, and even accusing the group of copying an iconic BIGBANG moment. Within hours of its release, the teaser had become one of the most talked-about topics online—not because of the music, but because of the fierce arguments surrounding its creative concept.

The teaser, released as part of BTS’ promotion for “NORMAL,” immediately caught fans off guard with its deliberately absurd and comedic aesthetic. Rather than opting for the polished, cinematic visuals that have defined many of the group’s previous music videos, BTS leaned into an intentionally chaotic concept that mixes humor with shock value.

For many fans, that unpredictability was exactly what made the teaser entertaining.

Across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and Korean online communities, ARMYs praised the group’s willingness to experiment instead of repeating familiar formulas. Many described the teaser as refreshing, arguing that BTS has always balanced serious artistic projects with playful concepts that showcase the members’ personalities.

However, not everyone shared that enthusiasm.

Almost immediately after the teaser dropped, critics began mocking its heavy use of bathroom imagery, with some calling it “childish,” “cringe,” and “the worst concept BTS has ever attempted.” Others claimed the teaser relied too heavily on gross-out humor instead of meaningful storytelling, arguing that it felt out of place for one of the world’s biggest music acts.

The criticism quickly escalated beyond simple opinions.

Several social media users attempted to compare the teaser to GD&TOP’s “ZUTTER,” claiming that one particular visual sequence resembled a memorable scene from the BIGBANG subunit’s 2015 music video. Screenshots from both videos were circulated online as users accused BTS of borrowing ideas from the earlier release.

Some posts went even further.

“They can’t stop copying other people,” one viral comment read, while another insisted that G-Dragon would “always be the original.”

Those accusations rapidly spread across multiple platforms, fueling yet another fan war between supporters of the two legendary K-pop acts.

Yet many viewers were unconvinced by the plagiarism allegations.

ARMYs quickly pushed back, arguing that the similarities were extremely superficial and limited to a common comedic setting rather than any distinctive creative element. Fans pointed out that bathroom-themed scenes have appeared in countless music videos, films, and television shows over the years, making it unreasonable to claim ownership over such a broad concept.

Others criticized what they viewed as an attempt to manufacture controversy before the full music video had even been released.

Supporters also emphasized that the teaser lasts only a short time and intentionally withholds much of the storyline, making it impossible to fairly judge the complete artistic vision based on a handful of clips.

Many fans instead praised BTS for taking creative risks at a stage in their career when they could easily rely on safer concepts.

“This is exactly why BTS stays interesting,” one fan wrote.

“They’re not afraid to be weird.”

Others argued that the group’s willingness to embrace humor demonstrates confidence rather than a lack of creativity, noting that some of BTS’ most memorable music videos have combined emotional storytelling with unexpected comedic moments.

The debate also reignited a familiar discussion within the K-pop community about originality.

With thousands of music videos released every year, many fans argued that isolated similarities are inevitable and do not automatically constitute plagiarism. Unless there is clear evidence of direct copying involving choreography, cinematography, storylines, or highly specific visual sequences, they believe accusations of plagiarism often become exaggerated through online fan rivalries.

At the same time, critics maintained that major artists should be especially careful when introducing concepts that may remind audiences of previous iconic releases, regardless of whether those similarities were intentional.

For now, the controversy remains centered entirely on the teaser rather than the full music video itself.

As anticipation for “NORMAL” continues to build, many fans are urging others to reserve judgment until the complete video is released and its full narrative can be seen in context. Others believe the heated online debate has only increased curiosity about the comeback, ensuring that millions of viewers will tune in as soon as the official music video premieres.

Whether the teaser ultimately proves to be a misunderstood piece of creative marketing or simply another example of social media amplifying minor similarities into major controversies, one thing is already certain: BTS has once again captured the internet’s attention.

And with the full release of “NORMAL” still ahead, the biggest conversation surrounding this comeback may only be beginning.