Famous critic refutes allegations Yoo Hee-yeol plagiarized songwriters + calls netizens "psychos"

Article: Critic Jung Min-jae, "Yoo Hee-yeol didn't plagiarize, Kim Tae-won's fatal speech mistake"

Source: Joongang Ilbo

A famous critic has refuted allegations that Yoo Hee-yeol plagiarized songwriters.

On the 18th, critic Jung Min-jae shared a lengthy post on Twitter and stated, "I didn't want to add anything because the controversy seems to be overheating more than necessary but I don't agree with the allegations of plagiarism floating around the internet. Just because some of the chord progressions overlap, doesn't mean its plagiarism."

"I don't know if there were issues with the original songwriter but just because it sounds similar or because you feel bad about it doesn't mean its plagiarism. In the case of 'A Very Private Night' and 'Aqua' which became an issue for the first time as Yoo Hee-yeol and Ryuichi Sakamoto said, "the similarity in main theme" is felt. This is different from plagiarism. The original songwriter acknowledged the similarities but said it wasn't plagiarism and that no follow-up action was necessary."

"However, contrary to what he said, the eight bars of the two songs are never exactly the same. There were some other parts. That's why the original songwriter was also taken aback. The weight of the words 'similar without confusion' and 'same without being disturbing' is different. Kim Tae-won made a fatal speech mistake as a musician."

"It's a pity Yoo Hee-yeol's response is that way. When he said something like 'I thought it was a pure creation but had to admit the similarity between the songs' articles got put out as if he was admitting plagiarism. From here on, it has already become difficult to correct. Netizens immediately brought up that the songs sounded similar to their ears and raised suspicions of plagiarism but if the original songwriter hasn't raised an issue, it's rare for a simple similarity to lead to disputes over rights."

"I admit the similarity in 'A Very Private Night' but many of the allegations raised now just feel like netizens madness. They didn't need to take it this far. Plagiarism is clearly a legal issue. It's difficult to empathize with the act of driving a non-plagiarized song into plagiarism just because of your own ears. At this point, I hope all the commotion is over."

Meanwhile, that same day, Yoo Hee-yeol announced he was leaving KBS' 'Yoo Hee-yeol Sketchbook' that he had spearheaded for 13 years and stated, "There are parts that are difficult to agree with claims of plagiarism. Many of the allegations may be their own views and interpretations but its difficult to accept. I'll take a deep look inside myself to make sure such a controversy doesn't happen again."

1. [+2,913, -125] It's isn't just one suspicion, he's suspected of plagiarizing 26 songs... aren't you ashamed writing that? Do you think ears are just there as an accessory to be worn?
2. [+1,448, -33] Anyone can become a critic and there are many of them from past decades eating and living well. It wasn't just simple chord issues, there are a lot of similarities in musical instruments and lyrics. Do you think similarities in 8 chords is the only issue? Why are you batting this hard for Antenna?
3. [+878, -163] Eh, if you're going to look at things with zero morality then you're just a touch-n-go supporter.. Yoo Heo-yeol isn't just anyone, he's a famous celebrity.
4. [+693, -35] He's an all-time scammer but it's netizens madness? A lot of his songs are all similar but the experts are the ones putting out shields? Are you seriously shielding him right now?
5. [+621, -37] So shameless ~ I was a fan but this is so disappointing. He didn't just plagiarize, he chose to step down from 'Sketchbook' on his own.. this is going to be a scarlet letter for him for the rest of his life!
6. [+259 -3] It wasn't just the chord progression that overlapped, it was instrument composition and even lyrics that he copied. Sung Si-kyung's 'happy happy birthday' too.. the songs are completely the same in lyrics and melody???! Instead of writing things like this, compare the songs one-by-one and explain why it's not plagiarism.. wouldn't that be a true courtesy to fans??? So it's unfair but he chose to leave the show? Who's really cosplaying as victim here?
7. [+217, -4] We aren't saying its plagiarism just because of some simple chord.. it's because the song sounded similar to everyone listening. Although the other songwriters aren't as popular as him, Koreans that heard the songs are all saying it's plagiarism. From the chords, melody, accompaniment, instrument arrangements, beat and even dance.. it's a total copy and paste. It can't all just be a coincidence. On what grounds are you saying it's netizens madness? If you can't even justify that then you can f*ck right off being a critic.
8. [+197, 03] Kim Tae-won isn't someone that puts out reckless words.. he knows there's an issue with the songs that why he said it.
9. [+174, -4] Madness? Did you take a course in probability and statistics? Similarities can be found in one composer even if it's not plagiarism but that means there's no originality in the song. Kim Tae-won was courageous in saying those words and wouldn't talk recklessly, he's human too.
10. [+141, -1] You're talking like you worked closely with them.. do you think Kim Tae-won was just foaming at the mouth? If you're smart you wouldn't be taking sides right now.