OPM band Ben&Ben has decided to “suspend” their fandom name “Lights,” after learning a K-pop fandom already call themselves as such.
“We apologize for the confusion and dismay that this has caused to the parties involved,” Ben&Ben said in a statement posted on their social media accounts Thursday.
“Furthermore, we truly did not realize that it may cause trouble being that Ben&Ben is an OPM band from the Philippines. We hold high respect for K-pop culture and K-pop fandoms. The band management will settle this matter immediately,” the band added.
"Lights" has been the fandom name of K-pop group HIGHLIGHT, formerly known as Beast, since 2017. The group is behind songs such as “12:30,” “Good Luck,” and “Fiction.”
Fans of HIGHLIGHT have thanked Ben&Ben for reconsidering their fandom name.
“Thank you so much Ben & Ben for hearing us out, we know it wasn't easy in your part and the whole team involved. We know you didn't mean any disrespect,” a fan with handle @kdancetoj wrote on twitter.
Ben&Ben earlier announced they will officially name their group of supporters as “Lights."
“We are naming the fandom "Lights" because it reminds us that we can be bearers of hope in these dark times. we can be Lights to others. and we can do so by being united in soaring higher together!” the group said.
However, their announcement was met with concerns from K-pop fans.
One fan replied: ”Hi, you guys may just be unaware but Lights is already a fandom name of Highlight, a K-pop boy group and it has been used for a couple of years now.”
“I think Ben&Ben needs to reconsider their fandom name. I'm also a fan of them but 'Lights' only belong to Highlight which I also stan,” another wrote.
Ben&Ben has been recently gaining attention from K-pop stars and fans with their songs and covers.