“They Are Just A Terrible Copy” — Simon Cowell’s New Boyband ‘December 10’ Blasts BTS In A Shocking Pre-Debut Shade That Ignited A Global War With ARMY
The music industry is no stranger to manufactured drama, but Simon Cowell’s latest move might have crossed a line that no amount of PR can fix. Just days before the official debut of his new boyband, December 10, a leaked clip from the Netflix series Simon Cowell: The Next Act has set the internet on fire. The reason? A direct, disrespectful “shade” aimed at the kings of K-pop, BTS, that has left the global ARMY fandom fuming and demanding a total boycott.
The Shot Heard Round the K-Pop World
During a high-tension rehearsal scene, a member of the 7-piece Irish and British group—reportedly Cruz—didn’t hold back his disdain for the achievements of BTS. “If BTS can sell out Wembley Stadium in flipping five minutes, we can sell the flipping Pluto in five minutes,” he boasted, before allegedly calling the 21st-century icons a “terrible copy” of Western boyband formulas.
The arrogance of the statement was enough to ignite an immediate firestorm. BTS didn’t just sell out Wembley; they broke barriers, shattered racial stereotypes, and became the first non-English speaking act to dominate the global stage since the dawn of digital music. For a group that hasn’t even released an original song to label BTS a “terrible copy” isn’t just bold—it’s perceived as career suicide.
Ragebait Marketing: A Dangerous Game
Industry insiders are calling this a classic case of “Ragebait Marketing.” Simon Cowell, a veteran of talent shows and boyband formation, knows that negative attention is still attention. By positioning December 10 as the “anti-BTS,” he has ensured that every K-pop fan in the world knows their name before they even drop their first music video.
However, many critics argue this is a short-sighted strategy. ARMY is not just a fandom; they are a sophisticated, global grassroots organization capable of sinking a brand’s reputation in hours. By insulting the very group that paved the way for modern boybands, December 10 has alienated the largest and most active music-buying demographic on the planet. You don’t build a legacy by burning down a palace.
The “Temu Version” of One Direction
The backlash hasn’t just been about the comments. Netizens have been quick to point out the irony of the situation. With exactly seven members—the same as BTS—and a musical style that seems to mimic K-pop’s high-energy production without the years of rigorous training, December 10 is being labeled the “Temu version of One Direction.”
The comparison hurts. While BTS is celebrated for their self-produced lyrics and grueling dance choreography, December 10 is entering the scene with an acoustic cover of NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye.” The lack of originality, combined with the “shade” aimed at their superiors, has made them an easy target for memes and mockery across X and TikTok.
Legal Battles and Cancel Culture
As if the BTS drama wasn’t enough, December 10 is already facing a legal nightmare. A Scottish metal band also named December Tenth has publicly called out Cowell’s team for trademark infringement. The confusion on social media has led to the metal band receiving a wave of hate mail meant for Cowell’s group, further complicating the debut.
The K-pop world is fuming, and for a good reason. BTS has spent a decade building a reputation based on hard work, humility, and “love yourself” messaging. For a new group to enter the market with such open hostility feels like a step backward for the industry. Many fans believe that Cowell’s “Next Act” might be his last successful one if he continues to underestimate the power of international fandoms.
Will December 10 Survive the Debut?
Despite the outrage, the numbers tell a different story. Search interest for “December 10 boyband” has skyrocketed. Whether people are tuning in to support them or to see them fail, they are tuning in. But in the long run, the music world is wondering: can a group built on “shade” and “outrage” actually sustain a career?
The global war with ARMY has only just begun. As the debut approaches, the world will be watching to see if December 10 can back up their talk with actual talent—or if they will simply go down in history as the group that dared to insult BTS and paid the ultimate price for it. In the world of K-pop, respect is everything, and right now, December 10 is bankrupt.
