Boy Band Brawl

Korean fans of Justin Bieber were reportedly feuding with Korean fans of the K-pop boy band EXO last weekend when both artists played high-profile concerts in Tokyo on the exact same night.   

Photo: Rob Grabowski / Invision / AP
Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Ill.

According to Chattsportsnet.com, EXO’s fans claimed their heroes “snatched” Beliebers from JB’s Saturday night show at Makuhari Messe, a convention center just outside of Tokyo. EXO’s own concert that night was at the Tokyo Dome. Since EXO’s show was sold out and there were still tickets available at the door for Bieber’s concert, the EXO fans somehow figured that they had won.

Then Bieber’s fans started to fight back online, comparing the talents of their man to those of the K-pop group. The bone of contention was JB’s “Boyfriend,” which EXO member Kyungsoo covered at the Dome concert, and which EXO fans claimed was the superior version.

EXO adherents didn’t mention, however, that EXO’s performance was one of several as part of the SM Town Live World Tour, a showcase of artists who toil for the talent agency SM Entertainment.

They also didn’t mention that Bieber’s show the next day was sold out, though perhaps that might have only reinforced their case.