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Proud 'HAHABABY is too awesome' and Accused LV of Copying: Cài Āg-gā's Old Controversial Remarks Ignite Firestorm Again

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Taiwanese YouTuber Cai Ag-ga is facing renewed controversy over past remarks made during a trip to Japan.
  • In videos from 2023, Cai and his wife jokingly accused the luxury brand Louis Vuitton of copying their brand, HAHABABY, referencing designs by artist Yayoi Kusama.
  • The resurfaced comments have drawn criticism online due to Kusama's established artistic status and her iconic use of polka dots.

Taiwanese YouTuber Cai Ag-ga and his wife, Erh-bo, are once again embroiled in controversy following the resurfacing of past remarks made during a 2023 trip to Japan. Their children's brand, HAHABABY, has recently been involved in a plagiarism dispute, prompting the couple to resume work after a month-long hiatus.

LV! It's going to copy HAHABABY again.

— Cai Ag-gaReacting to Louis Vuitton's polka dot designs during a trip to Japan.

During their Japan trip, Cai and Erh-bo visited an Louis Vuitton store and encountered a display featuring Yayoi Kusama's signature polka dots. Cai Ag-ga repeatedly joked that LV was copying HAHABABY, even giving a thumbs-down to a depiction of Kusama and making jesting comments about "HAHABABY suing LV internationally." In another video, they referenced polka dot advertisements in Shibuya, with Cai Ag-ga humorously asking his wife if she was there for "inspection," accompanied by on-screen text proclaiming "HAHABABY is too awesome."

The couple continued this playful theme during a visit to a Kusama exhibition. In one video, Erh-bo was described as the "boss lady scouting for designers," and Cai Ag-ga jokingly invited Kusama herself to apply for a job. These segments were originally intended as lighthearted entertainment for their travel vlogs.

HAHABABY is too awesome.

— Cai Ag-gaCommentary accompanying a video referencing polka dot advertisements.

However, the resurfaced videos have sparked online backlash. Critics point to Yayoi Kusama's significant standing in the art world and her long-established association with polka dots as the reason for the renewed criticism. Erh-bo had previously discussed HAHABABY's "Hugging Polka Dots" series, noting similarities to LV's colorful polka dot products and suggesting consumers might associate the elements due to the brand's established identity.

Come to see the exhibition, and the boss lady is here to poach designers.

— Cai Ag-gaJoking during a visit to a Yayoi Kusama exhibition.

Despite these claims, the LV collection in question was a collaboration with Kusama, whose polka dot motif is a defining element of her artistic oeuvre. The re-examination of these past jokes has reignited discussions among netizens about the couple's comparison of their brand's designs with Kusama's iconic artwork.

We have a certain brand recognition, so consumers might associate it when they see similar elements.

— Cai Ag-gaExplaining potential consumer association with similar design elements.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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