Rocker accused of plagiarism leaves for Germany to offer settlement
Jeon In-kwon, far right, performs during a candlelit peace demonstration demanding Park Geun-hye’s resignation at Gwanghwamun Square last November. / Korea Times file
By Ko Dong-hwan
Rocker Jeon In-kwon is heading to Germany to offer a settlement after claims that his signature song “Don’t Worry, My Dear” plagiarized Black Fooss’ “Drink doch eine met” from the 1970s.
After netizens made the accusation on Wednesday, Jeon said he would talk with the German band and arrange some type of royalty deal if this was wanted.
“I’m going to Germany soon. First, I will accept the stance of the person who wrote that song and do whatever that person wants,” Jeon said on Facebook.
Jeon, 62, former lead vocalist of Korean rock band Deulgukhwa, composed and released the song in 2004 as the title track of his fourth solo album.
The past hit was revisited with nationwide popularity during the candlelit peace demonstration at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square from October 2016 to March.
Jeon sang the song in front of crowds during the weekly protests that led to the ousting of former President Park Geun-hye in March on charges of corruption and accepting or demanding bribes.
The song also was used in the tvN drama “Reply 1988” in 2015.
Jeon said he would pay royalties under the guidance of the Korea Music Copyright Association if an amount was agreed upon.
He said he would like to tell the German band that he believed the lyrics of “Don’t Worry, My Dear” may be better than those of “Drink doch eine met.”
Jeon denied the plagiarism charge, saying the similarities were “a mere coincidence.” He said he would “do my best to make sure the song beloved by so many is freed of shame.”
This month, Jeon publicly endorsed Ahn Cheol-soo from the People’s Party, the No.2 poll-leading candidate ahead of May 9 presidential election.
Online supporters of front-runner Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party of Korea criticized Jeon for his endorsement.