The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Actor Song Joong-ki still hungry for new movie roles

  • 3

    S. Korea flexes military might in rare parade with US in central Seoul

  • 5

    Seoul Welcome Week to return for first time since pandemic

  • 7

    S. Korea-US alliance will end NK regime in event of nuclear weapons use, Yoon says

  • 9

    Chuseok exodus begins ahead of extended 6-day holiday

  • 11

    INTERVIEWWellington mayor's love for Korean culture spurs collaboration

  • 13

    INTERVIEWONEUS returns as 'mermaid prince'

  • 15

    Rwandan artists bring diversity to Seoul's art scene

  • 17

    BOK warns of worsening household debt situation

  • 19

    Opposition leader Lee attends arrest warrant hearing at Seoul court

  • 2

    Korea has world's highest senior poverty rate: data

  • 4

    Gov't to boost Korean language education for multiethnic students

  • 6

    Hyundai Steel decides to form steel pipe unit

  • 8

    Korean tennis player Kwon Soon-woo embroiled in controversy after 2nd-round upset

  • 10

    Guide to Chuseok celebrations across Korea

  • 12

    Late Samsung chairman's love of animals helps change Korea's pet culture

  • 14

    For closer business ties between Korea, Vietnam

  • 16

    Court rejects arrest warrant for opposition leader Lee over corruption charges

  • 18

    Over 100 money changers face suspensions, fines, criminal charges

  • 20

    S. Korea shows off 'high-power' missiles for armed forces founding anniversary

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Thu, September 28, 2023 | 10:44
Is Plagiarism a New Genre?
Posted : 2009-10-28 16:57
Updated : 2009-10-28 16:57
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
By Lee Sung-moo

Korean pop culture was very far from the mainstream back in the 1980s and `90s. The mainstream of pop culture used to be dominated by Hollywood, Hong Kong and Japan.

But ever since numerous Korean soaps made big splashes throughout Asia, Korean culture has become a new icon of pop culture at least in Asia and we can see ``hallyu ― the Korean wave" ― often in The Times, CNN and many other international mass medias.

After the big wave of TV series, of course, many Korean songs and singers became very popular, too. Now, a lot of bands and singers are enjoying sold-out concerts and they generate tremendous album sales outside of Korea. Hallyu is not only a one-shot event but also a trend in the entertainment world. Obviously, Korea has hundreds of bands and idols on stage and hundreds of others are training to get their shot. However, some hallyu singers and bands have both fame and shame.

About a month ago, G-Dragon, a member of Big Bang, which is one of the hottest boy bands in Korea, released his first solo album. He is known as a ``genius singer-songwriter" and he made the most of the band's songs. The songs that he composed hit the charts and became anthems for youngsters. As soon as he made his solo debut, all the charts were his and the spotlight was on him.

But after only a few days, I could see a lot of criticism about his two songs and a very interesting sign [Ctrl C + Ctrl V by G-Dragon]. The sign is a shortcut of copy and paste for MS Word and Hangeul, the nationwide program for word documents in Korea, and other various computer programs. This is sarcasm for the plagiarism issue among some netizens.

His two songs ``Heart Breaker" and ``Butterfly" were suspected of plagiarizing the world famous rapper Flo Rida's song ``Right Round" and rock band Oasis's ``She's Electric," respectively. Fans of G-Dragon were annoyed and rejected the allegation outright, but some of the critics and musicians pointed it out as a chronic disease of Korean pop.

After considering the storm that was developing, Sony BMG, after some days, sent an official warning letter on Sept. 17 to YG family, the company of super idol groups such as Big Bang and 2NE1, about non-permission use of other artists' contents.

To date, there is no answer from the company. After the official warning, the singer still sings the songs on stage and they continue to be at the top of Korean pop charts. Furthermore, G-Dragon's fans point out that the people who criticize plagiarism really have no objective thoughts about the issue. They have acted like misdirected people and have finally defined the criticism as a ``witch hunt." Personally, I'd like to point out a few things about this issue.

First, YG family and the singer have to explain to their fans about the official warning. Everyone knows about it and people are waiting for the truth. But, for weeks, nobody has given clear answers, even though this is one of the hottest issues in Korea. Many people are waiting for the truth and audiences deserve to be informed.

Second, the fans need to have an objective view about this issue. Supporting their favorite stars is natural and no one will blame them for that, but supporters and fanatics are very different. If you really love the singer and encourage him, now is the time to take objective criticism. Without reasonable and logical thoughts, your behavior is nothing but meaningless worship.

Last but not least, all the broadcasting companies take this issue really seriously. If the song and the singer are suspicious, you need to stop playing it and stop showing them. Continuing to act negligently could make listeners feel that copyright and plagiarism are minor problems.

G-Dragon and his band Big Bang are the icons of Korean pop. As I mentioned above, Korean pop culture is not only for the people. Millions of Asians are watching and chasing after Korean stars and culture, too. Moreover, many Korean stars are dreaming and trying hard to spread their wings to other parts of the world (i.e. the Wonder Girls in America). However, no one can stand on stage with fake songs.

So, I exhort you, G-Dragon, to be a real ``dragon." Spread out your own talent in the entertainment world. Don't just perform as a ``drag-on" specialist.

The writer teaches English, and creates and organizes programs at UNESCO GPV as the head teacher. He also used to be a freelance writer for HOT Music magazine and can be reached at drmetal@dreamwiz.com.
 
miguel
wooribank
LG
Top 10 Stories
1Chuseok exodus begins ahead of extended 6-day holidayChuseok exodus begins ahead of extended 6-day holiday
2Guide to Chuseok celebrations across KoreaGuide to Chuseok celebrations across Korea
3Korea sees record-low births in July Korea sees record-low births in July
4Political battle intensifies after court rejects Lee's arrest warrantPolitical battle intensifies after court rejects Lee's arrest warrant
5DMZ Open Int'l Music Festival to be held in Goyang in November DMZ Open Int'l Music Festival to be held in Goyang in November
6Hyundai E&C to build upmarket apartment complex in Seoul's Gwanak District Hyundai E&C to build upmarket apartment complex in Seoul's Gwanak District
7Lotte focuses on health care, mobility to spur growth Lotte focuses on health care, mobility to spur growth
8Two Koreas trade barbs over nuclear war Two Koreas trade barbs over nuclear war
9Defense ministry launches project to find families of unidentified fallen Korean War soldiers Defense ministry launches project to find families of unidentified fallen Korean War soldiers
10Korea on track to prove esports prowess at Asian Games Korea on track to prove esports prowess at Asian Games
Top 5 Entertainment News
1[INTERVIEW] With '30 Days,' Kang Ha-neul finds new level of comfort in acting INTERVIEWWith '30 Days,' Kang Ha-neul finds new level of comfort in acting
2[INTERVIEW] ONEUS returns as 'mermaid prince' INTERVIEWONEUS returns as 'mermaid prince'
3Rwandan artists bring diversity to Seoul's art scene Rwandan artists bring diversity to Seoul's art scene
4Kep1er unveils 'Magic Hour' with fresh perspective on love Kep1er unveils 'Magic Hour' with fresh perspective on love
5K-pop group Kingdom recalls album cover resembling Quran K-pop group Kingdom recalls album cover resembling Quran
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group