The Kpop industry is currently in turmoil with many issues happening to both the artists and companies, especially HYBE. Amid their conflict with ADOR CEO Min Heejin, HYBE’s most precious princess, LE SSERAFIM, is facing plagiarism issue and controversy again for the latest songs, “Smart” and “EASY.” So, what really happened to LE SSERAFIM, and HYBE really paid their way off from this issue? Check out the discussion below.
LE SSERAFIM Faces Plagiarism Issue and Controversy AGAIN for “Smart” and “EASY”
HYBE’s most precious princess, LE SSERAFIM, has now received the main spotlight from the Kpop community. Following the recent revelation that LE SSERAFIM allegedly stole NewJeans’ position as HYBE’s first girl group amid the HYBE x Min Heejin conflict, the girls must once again face plagiarism issue and controversy.
On May 17, the Seoul Court conducted a hearing for the massive conflict between HYBE and ADOR CEO Min Heejin. In this court hearing, Min Heejin’s legal representative revealed her email to HYBE, complaining about the company’s business method.
One of the most noteworthy complaints revealed in the court hearing was how HYBE’s artists had been continuously facing accusations of plagiarism. Not only ILLIT but also LE SSERAFIM had been the center of plagiarism issue and controversy.
“It’s not just ILLIT; LE SSERAFIM has also faced plagiarism accusations three times for their music and concepts.”
Min Heejin.
Following this revelation, the public found out that the plagiarism issue and controversy Min Heejin stated was LE SSERAFIM’s latest hit song, “EASY.”
According to several reports, LE SSERAFIM’s “EASY” was the result of plagiarism from “Cliché.” It is a song released in 2017 by artist Velous. After listening carefully to both songs, you will realize several similarities between them.
Some even pointed out that LE SSERAFIM’s “EASY” sounded almost the same as “Cliché” starting from 0:17 of this 2017 song.
Additionally, LE SSERAFIM already faced plagiarism issue and controversy after “Smart” sounded extremely similar to “Water” by Tyla.
Moreover, LE SSERAFIM’s “Hydra” was also reportedly plagiarized from “Debut” and “Dip N Drip” by Swedish musician Cobrah
HYBE Reportedly Settled This Case by Paying Off Negotiation Fee
Furthermore, some fans believed that the similarity between LE SSERAFIM “EASY” was only similar because they sampled “Cliché.” However, others refuted the belief because HYBE did not credit the artist, Velous, in the song.
Most importantly, according to Min Heejin’s email, HYBE has reportedly settled the case by paying off the negotiation fee. So, does it mean that a plagiarism controversy is simply an issue so trivial for HYBE that ILLIT and LE SSERAFIM must suffer while the company simply paid their way off?
“An overseas producer working with ADOR mentioned that HYBE is currently negotiating fees for plagiarism damages related to some of LE SSERAFIM’s songs.”
Min Heejin.
Plagiarism is a massive issue and a severe “sin” in the world of creative businesses. While the artists are completely innocent as they’re simply doing their job, it is the company’s ultimate task to crosscheck, making sure that no creative boundaries are crossed in the process.
But what do you think? Do you believe that these accusations are nonsense? Or do you also think that these songs are similar? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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