The K-pop internet has found its latest battleground: two little words, “Chapter 2.” Yes, apparently the phrase that has existed since the dawn of storytelling is now grounds for plagiarism debates. All because Seventeen’s Hoshi mentioned it after enlistment, and suddenly the internet is divided on whether this is a copy of BTS.
Let’s break this down logically. Every book ever written has a Chapter 2. Every movie script has a second act. Every drama eventually says “Season 2.” So why, exactly, are we acting like saying “Chapter 2” is some kind of intellectual property theft? What was Hoshi supposed to say—“Welcome to the part after the first part”? The outrage feels a little like accusing someone of stealing because they dared to breathe oxygen after you.
Now, let’s be clear: BTS made “Chapter 2” iconic. When they used the phrase, it wasn’t just about turning the page—it was about redefining an era. Solo debuts, record-breaking global impact, and the kind of cultural influence that doesn’t just trend on Twitter, but reshapes the entire music industry. For ARMYs, “Chapter 2” means something sacred, and it’s understandable why the comparisons sting.
But accusing Seventeen of plagiarism just for saying the exact two words that exist everywhere? That’s a stretch. It doesn’t erase the fact that BTS turned those words into something legendary—but it also doesn’t mean other artists can’t use a phrase that belongs to, well, the dictionary.
So maybe the real issue isn’t plagiarism at all. Maybe it’s that BTS has raised the bar so high, anything remotely similar instantly gets measured against them. And honestly, that’s not Seventeen’s fault—it’s just the reality of living in a world where BTS exists.
At the end of the day, “Chapter 2” belongs to literature, to history, and yes, to BTS in a way that no one else can replicate. But expecting everyone else to avoid two words forever? That’s like banning the use of “Hello” just because Adele sang it better.
