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| The 15th anniversary emblem of Tokyo DisneySea, left, and the one shown in Girls' Generation's new music video / Captured from Twitter |
By Kim Rahn
The director of the music video for K-pop girl group Girls' Generation's new song, "Forever 1," has acknowledged and apologized for plagiarizing a set design.
Allegations emerged after the Aug. 5 release of the music video of the group's new song from its seventh full-length namesake album, which was released in line with the group's 15th anniversary.
Some Japanese online users raised the suspicion of the illegal design use, saying an emblem showing the group's 15th anniversary in the music video is very similar to the one used by Tokyo DisneySea when the theme park celebrated its 15th year.
As the allegation grew, the director, Shin Hee-won, admitted to copying the DisneySea design and apologized.
"I am ashamed of using the design without permission. I apologize for it," Shin wrote on her Instagram, Sunday.
Shin, who was in charge of the entire music video production process from planning and directing to deciding on minor props, said she searched for logo designs to reference for the 15th anniversary emblem to appear in the music video, found one that would suit and used it without confirming the origin of the design.
"I confirmed today that the design was the 15th anniversary logo for DisneySea. I apologize sincerely for using it without thorough examination and confirmation," Shin wrote. "I'm sorry to the Girls' Generation members and SM Entertainment for whom we caused trouble, and fans who enjoyed the music video."
Shin has directed dozens of music videos for K-pop artists, making videos for songs including EXO's "Lucky One," SHINee's "View," HyunA's "BABE," VIXX's "The Closer," Red Velvet's "Russian Roulette," Seventeen's "Pretty U" and NCT DREAM's "My First and Last."
In the meantime, Girls' Generation is demonstrating its global popularity after making a comeback with all eight members five years after its sixth album, "Holiday Night" (2017). "Forever 1" topped the iTunes albums charts in 31 countries and local album charts in China and Japan immediately after the Aug. 5 release.
