[서병기 연예톡톡]Yoo Hee-yeol’s ‘similarity controversy’, what is the reaction in Japan?
[헤럴드경제 = 서병기 선임기자]What is the response in Japan to the ‘similarity controversy’ that musician Yoo Hee-yeol’s ‘Very Private Night’ and Japanese composer, pianist, and film music master Ryuichi Sakamoto’s song ‘Aqua’ are similar?
In Japan, there are hardly any related articles other than Jiji News. The allegations of plagiarism by Yoo Hee-yeol are known as the Japanese version of Korean comprehensive newspapers such as the Chosun Ilbo and JoongAng Ilbo.
When I asked some Japanese journalists, it was because Yoo Hee-yeol was not famous in Japan.
On the other hand, Ryuichi Sakamoto is very famous in Japan. Every move and every move is knighted. Articles that Sakamoto’s cancer has progressed to several stages, that he returned to Tokyo following a poor treatment in New York, or that he had the most recent woman he dated into the family register are quickly reported.
Moreover, as reported by Jiji News, Sakamoto said, “It’s okay. “He was settled because he said it wasn’t a matter worthy of going to court.”
However, in addition to ‘A Very Private Night’, the second track in Yoo Hee-yeol’s daily life music series, other songs are also being plagiarized. Yoo Hee-yeol has not yet made a statement on this.
Yoo Hee-yeol’s fourth track ‘When I Turn On’ is similar to ‘1900’, a piano arrangement of Enrio Morricone’s music by Ryuichi Sakamoto, and ‘Please Don’t Go My Girl’ released in ‘Infinite Challenge’ is public Suspicions have been raised that it is similar to Announcement’s ‘Body Bumpin’.
In addition, there was a story that ‘Happy Birthday To You’ sung by Sung Si-kyung was similar to a song of the same name by a famous Japanese rock band Anjeon, and Sung Si-kyung’s ‘Hello My Love’ also raised a similarity problem with the Japanese song of Makihara Noriyuki. .
‘With Kim Dong-ryul’ from the toy album ‘Da Capo’ released in 2014 has similar parts to Tomita Keichi’s ‘April fool’ released in 2011.
Coincidentally, all of the originals in which Yoo Hee-yeol’s similarity issue was raised are Japanese music. The reason his music has a lot of J-pop atmosphere may be because he usually listens to Japanese music a lot.
Therefore, as Yoo Hee-yeol first acknowledged the similarity as in the case of ‘Very Private Night’ and apologized immediately, and ended with ‘beautiful communication’ with the original song composer, it would be better for him to state his position first in the case of similarities that followed. Rather than a formal apology, speaking the truth as a creator would be the order.
Some say that it should not end with an agreement between Yoo Hee-yeol and Sakamoto Ryuichi. It is not something that can be solved by just the two of them. In-between is the music consumer. The emotions of the consumers are also important. The composition has changed. This is why the need for communication and empathy with the public is raised. However, it is also very dangerous to go out to kill Yoo Hee-yeol with this incident.
Personally, I would like to add one ‘advice’. Yoo Hee-yeol was originally a ‘Shy musician’ who didn’t fit in with TV. He communicated only through radio, an analog medium. But what regarding now?
As a composer and producer who continues to make music to singers and releases albums for the individual group ‘Toy’, as the head of Antenna, a famous planning production company that has Yoo Jae-seok and Mi-joo as entertainers in his agency, he is also the most active entertainer in TV shows. He is active as a broadcaster.
Yoo Hee-yeol’s ransom skyrocketed as music audition programs, which were absolutely lacking in the ‘jury pool’, were running rampant. Except for KBS, the ransom is high in other broadcasting stations, making it difficult to receive them. Yoo Hee-yeol is a ‘grand mentor’, the so-called ‘principal teacher’ level.
At this point, it seems like there will never be enough time to make music. This plagiarism controversy may be a signal to think regarding whether it is okay for Yoo Hee-yeol to intervene in the expansion of octopus feet. It’s a common expression, but I feel like I’ve lost my focus.
There is a need for restructuring to focus on jobs that fit one’s identity. There is no need to carry multiple types of titles. Moreover, the appearance of a self-interested broadcast called ‘wrap my family’, which pushes and pulls together with Yoo Jae-suk and Mi-joo on ‘What do you do when you play’, doesn’t look very beautiful either.
This ‘similarity controversy’ shows how Yoo Hee-yeol should communicate and empathize with the public through music. Hee-yeol Yoo has now become very familiar with the public through broadcasting, so he sees it even more so. Closing the viewer’s bulletin board for ‘Yoo Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook’ is not a problem that can be solved.
