Game developer NCSoft has responded to criticism regarding the character creation presets in its upcoming MMORPG Aion 2, following public concern that some designs closely mirrored two well-known K-pop idols.
The issue first surfaced during Aion 2’s official YouTube livestream on November 16, where viewers observed that one of the default female characters bore an uncanny resemblance to NMIXX member Sullyoon, down to a distinct facial mole. Soon after, another male preset was said to resemble Stray Kids’ Felix, further igniting speculation and online discussion.
NCSoft released a statement clarifying that any similarities were purely coincidental and not deliberate. The company added that it is reviewing the situation and considering adjustments, a move that many interpret as a soft acknowledgment of the controversy.
Industry experts have pointed out that default character presets are created by developers and used broadly, so any unintended resemblance to public figures especially celebrities can spark intense scrutiny. The matter is even more sensitive due to Aion 2’s adult-only rating, which raises concerns about potential future cosmetic items or animations depicting characters with similarities to real-life idols in suggestive contexts.
JYP Entertainment, the agency representing both Sullyoon and Felix, stated that it currently has no official stance on the matter.
Compounding NCSoft’s woes, the launch of Aion 2 was met with additional setbacks. When the game went live at midnight, players encountered widespread login issues for nearly two hours. On top of that, the monetization system particularly involving enhancement and engraving packages sparked backlash so strong that the development team held an emergency livestream to apologize to the player base.
Despite the bumpy launch, all eyes remain on how NCSoft will navigate the character likeness issue and whether further changes will be made to address fan concerns.
Sources: Koreaboo
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