A growing concern has emerged among fans of Seventeen, particularly focusing on the potential misuse of member THE8’s (Xu Minghao) stage name and associated fan tag. The issue has been brought to light with the recent debut of HYBE’s new AI music group, SYNDI8, and the Japanese nickname for Zerobaseone’s Zhang Hao.
SYNDI8, HYPE’s newly formed AI music group, has drawn comparisons to Seventeen’s THE8 due to the similar numerical and phonetic aspects of their names. The group’s name, “SYNDI8,” shares a striking resemblance to THE8’s stage name, “디에잇” (Dieit), both incorporating the number eight. This similarity has led to concerns among Seventeen fans about potential plagiarism or a deliberate attempt to capitalize on THE8’s established popularity.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Japanese fans of Zerobaseone have adopted the nickname “ハオちゃん” (Hao-chan) for member Zhang Hao. This nickname bears an uncanny resemblance to the long-standing Japanese fan tag for Seventeen’s Minghao, causing confusion and overlap in trending achievements on social media platforms.
The unauthorized use of the stage name and fan tag, which have been closely associated with THE8 for nearly a decade, has ignited a wave of anxiety and anger within the Seventeen fandom. Fans argue that these elements have become synonymous with THE8’s identity and represent years of dedication and support from the fanbase.
