Rain, plagiarism allegations surrounding SMF’s song “DOMESTIC”… Mnet “Similar at the beginning, but pure creation”
Rain ‘s new song on “Street Man Fighter” is facing accusations of copying Armani White’s “BILLIE EILISH”.
Singer Rain (41, real name Jung Ji Hoon)’s new song “DOMESTIC” released on Mnet’s “Street Man Fighter” (“SMF”) was embroiled in “plagiarism allegations”. It is said to be similar to the introduction of overseas singer Armani White’s “BILLIE EILISH.”.
“DOMESTIC” is a semi-final song of “SMF” with the choreography of “SMF” crew We Dem Boyz added. Since its release on Oct 18th, similarities with “BILLIE EILISH.” have been raised.
The genre is the same. “DOMESTIC” and “BILLIE EILISH.” are both of the hip-hop genre. However, it is pointed out that it is difficult to find a difference in the prelude rhythm and hook (the highlight of the song) between the two songs. Most of the opinions are that “BILLIE EILISH.” came to mind as soon as they heard “DOMESTIC”.
Rain’s agency Rain Company told Ten Asia, “There’s no song sampled. We just received the song from a composer who collaborated with Mnet. Both songs can sound similar due to the ‘hip-hop Arab genre’.”
Ten Asia also contacted CJ ENM. An official said, “The composer Caesar participated in the song ‘DOMESTIC’ of ‘SMF’. The arrangement of string instruments at the beginning of the song is similar, but it’s a pure creation.”
Previously, the music industry suffered from the “Yoo Hee Yeol plagiarism incident”. In June, Yoo Hee Yeol was accused of plagiarizing Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “Aqua” with his self-composed song “Very Private Night” (literal translation). At the time, he bowed his head, saying, “I acknowledge the similarity between the two songs,” and “I apologize for disappointing many people.”
In the case of Yoo Hee Yeol, the original composer Ryuichi Sakamoto did not take legal action. Nevertheless, it doesn’t matter if the original composer doesn’t object, since fans already expressed disappointment at Yoo Hee Yeol for staying silent and not answering to the accusations before his apology.
If a work is copied without the consent of the original author, it is considered plagiarism. However, for plagiarism to be recognized, separate standards of similarity and creativity need to be considered. Here lies the problem: it is difficult to distinguish between similarity and creativity.
Regarding this, music critic Lim Jin Mo said, “It is most important for the general public to listen and judge. The evaluation of music is up to the public to judge. We need more thorough self-verification and consideration while composing.”
With Rain’s latest issue about his song “DOMESTIC”, rumors about plagiarism are circulating again. Since a “Street Man Fighter” cast recently made noise due to plagiarism allegations related to the choreography of “New Thing”, it is necessary to properly resolve the plagiarism accusations of “DOMESTIC”.
The level of the public’s listening level is now too high to blur the final truth with claims of “genre similarity”.
Source: daum
