Who is VIXX?
"Who is VIXX? No one knows them." These dismissive words may come from newer K-pop fans, particularly those who joined during the 4th or 5th generation boom, reflect a concerning generational divide that manifests as collective amnesia toward K-pop's foundational acts. This tendency to prioritize personal bias over artistic history overlooks how groups like VIXX helped redefine what K-pop concepts could be, with newer fans favoring current chart performance and social media presence over the creative pioneering that established modern K-pop's standards.
The irony is that today's beloved groups directly benefit from the boundaries that artists like VIXX broke, yet this lineage remains unacknowledged by fans eager to crown their favorites as ultimate innovators without understanding the shoulders they stand upon. The truth is VIXX were the trend.
How VIXX were Crowned the Concept Kings
VIXX, often hailed as "concept kings" of K-pop, has long been celebrated for their innovative artistry, groundbreaking performances, and unique concepts. Debuting on May 24, 2012, the group quickly distinguished themselves and solidified their place in the industry through their willingness to explore theatrical, and mythological themes that were largely untouched in the K-pop landscape at the time.
Their elaborate storytelling approach transformed each comeback into a cinematic experience, with songs like "Voodoo Doll," "Error," "Chained Up" and "Shangri La" showcasing their ability to present diverse themes including horror, fantasy, or Sci-Fi with intense emotional narratives and top tier vocals and dance.
The group's meticulous attention to visual aesthetics, from intricate and bold choreography that incorporated props and symbolic gestures to their striking costume designs and makeup, elevated their performances beyond basic singing and dancing into immersive theatrical productions.
The Struggles and Rewards of Daring to be Different
VIXX's bold and provocative concepts frequently drew criticism from Korea's conservative spectators, who viewed their dark, sensual, and unconventional themes that challenged Korea's preference for wholesome, family-friendly idol images. At the release of 'On and On' the public made comments such as their makeup and expressions were too scary for children.
Their 'Voodoo Doll' era faced scrutiny for its horror-inspired imagery and metaphorical violence. Despite facing censorship on certain music programs and having to modify some performances to meet broadcasting standards, this did not stop the group from reaching their first number 1 trophy on the difficult-to-win weekly program Music Bank on December 6, 2013.
Of course, their public-friendly song 'Love Equation' managed to earn triple crowns on all music shows a rare feat for any artist. However, instead of continuing to lean into a more public-friendly image, the group did a 180 degrees and returned with the BDSM-inspired concept for the song 'Chained Up.'
VIXX's persistence in maintaining their artistic vision ultimately helped normalize more mature and complex themes for idol groups, gradually shifting public discourse about what constituted acceptable content in Korean popular music and contributing to the industry's eventual embrace of more diverse artistic expression.
A Source of Inspiration
VIXX's creative boldness has had a profound impact on the K-pop industry, inspiring a generation of artists to embrace more experimental and narrative-driven concepts. Their success proved that audiences were hungry for sophisticated, story-based content that challenged conventional pop music boundaries, paving the way for other groups to explore darker themes and complex visual storytelling. They even won "Hot Trend Group of the Year" at the V CHART Awards in 2017.
The group's influence can be seen in how contemporary K-pop has increasingly embraced similar concepts and fashion. They became a huge source of fashion inspiration, just one example is being the first male idol group to incorporate chokers in their wardrobe. Before long, chokers became a mainstay in other idol group's stage costumes. Another example is the concept for their album "Shangri La" which incorporated modern hanbok styles that immediately captivated audiences and the industry. Soon after other idol groups began incorporating traditional clothing into their concepts and stages. VIXX's artistic authenticity and creative risk-taking resonated with both domestic and international audiences, ultimately contributing to K-pop's concept diversity over time.
However, their creativity has not only inspired fans and other musical artists. VIXX's distinctiveness has also made them a frequent target for plagiarism. Over the years, VIXX’s work has been imitated, or outright copied, sparking outrage among Starlights (VIXX’s fandom) and discussions about intellectual property rights in the entertainment industry as a whole.
Some Notable Cases of Plagiarism
VIXX has been the victim of undisputable cases of plagiarism numerous times. It began in January 2017, when a contestant on the "The Voice Turkey," took the instrumental of VIXX's song "Dynamite" and claimed it as his own. When called out for his actions, the rapper made a diss track insulting VIXX, their fans, and K-pop fans in general. He was later eliminated from the show.
In February 2017, a Chinese group called TVBOYS plagiarized VIXX's entire routine that they once performed on the Chinese program "Heroes of Remix". In March 2017, a "Produce 101" contestant covered one of VIXX member N's dance choreographies for his self-introduction without proper credit, he later apologized for the incident. In April 2017, the instrumental of VIXX's song "Dynamite" was completely plagiarized by Egyptian singer Reda Mandor and sold as part of his album.
The song "Beautiful Liar" by VIXX LR (a subunit of VIXX) was plagiarized in the soundtrack for the Chinese movie Father and Son. The composer denied the similarity, yet the music was exactly the same as "Beautiful Liar" composed by VIXX's Ravi himself. Eventually, Ravi addressed the issue on his SNS, reprimanding the actions of the composer, as well as the composer's wife who insulted fans. Fast forward to 2024, one of the competition songs from the survival show Universe League, called 'Prison' heavily resembled VIXX's 2014 song 'ERROR.' VIXX has invested years in cultivating a unique artistic legacy, to the fans these instances seem like a betrayal of their efforts.
VIXX’s Legacy Remains Unshaken
Despite these challenges, VIXX continues to stand as a symbol of creativity and originality in K-pop. Their ability to craft unforgettable concepts and push artistic boundaries ensures their place in the annals of K-pop history. While plagiarism may tarnish certain moments, it cannot erase the impact VIXX has made on the industry.
Many fellow artists have publicly acknowledged their love for VIXX's music and how they are inspired by them. The group's vocal prowess and performance style have also earned respect from other artists, leading to numerous covers and tribute performances across the industry. Groups like The Boyz, A.C.E, Dreamcatcher, KNK, The KingDom, P1Harmony and various rookies have performed VIXX songs during special stages, music shows, and survival shows, often highlighting tracks like "Chained Up," and "Shangri-La" for their impactful style and dramatic flair. These cover performances typically showcase the industry's admiration for VIXX's concepts and their ability to convey emotion through both vocals and choreography. The covers often receive positive reception from fans, further cementing VIXX's influence on their peers.
The song and concept for their song 'Shangri La' was so impactful that the International Olympic Committee invited VIXX to perform at the 132nd IOC Session in 2018. A photograph of the group members from the event was featured on the South Korean President's official website.
May 2025 marks the 13th anniversary of VIXX. As they reach this milestone, their influence on K-pop's conceptual evolution remains undeniable, with their pioneering work in theatrical storytelling and mature themes helping open doors for countless artists afterwards. Their legacy as concept kings endures not only through their own discography but through the continued reverence shown by newer generations of idols who recognize VIXX as foundational figures K-pop. As time passes VIXX's contributions to K-pop's standards remain as relevant as ever, proving that true artistry transcends generational boundaries and temporal trends.
