After delaying the release of the LP, the copyright-related issues are scheduled to be resolved
“What I personally did… I’m sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment”
Singer Yoo Hee-yeol acknowledged the similarity and apologized for the allegation that she plagiarized a Japanese song by Ryuichi Sakamoto. /Photo = Hankyung DB
Singer Yoo Hee-yeol acknowledged the similarity and apologized for the allegation that she plagiarized a Japanese song by Ryuichi Sakamoto. Sakamoto is a master of Japanese film music and has a large number of fans in Korea.
On the 14th, Yoo Hee-yeol made an apology through his agency Antenna Twitter.
He said, “Since last fall, I have been working on a project to release one piano piece a month under the title of ‘You Hee-Yeol’s Life Music’.”
He continued, “On Tuesday, June 14th, through Instagram, one person reported that the project’s second track ‘Very Private Night’ and Sakamoto Ryuichi’s ‘Aqua’ are similar.”
Yoo Hee-yeol said, “As a result of the review, we came to agree that the main theme of the song is sufficiently similar.” “As the musician I have been most influenced and respected for for a long time, I unconsciously wrote the song in a similar way that remained in my memory. I thought it was a creation, but I had no choice but to acknowledge the similarity between the two songs.”
‘You Hee-yeol’s Life Music’ is a project that has been in progress since August last year, and through this, it has been showing music to listen to casually like background music in everyday life.
It was scheduled to release an LP this month with a total of eight songs, including ‘Sunday Afternoon’, ‘Very Private Night’, and ‘Dinner Promise’, as well as a sheet music book.
Yoo Hee-yeol said, “I apologize for disappointing many people for not being able to take a close look. And above all, I apologize for making things unsatisfying for Sakamoto-sensei and the fans.”
He added, “Besides, from the perspective of a long-time fan, the fact that Sakamoto-sensei’s health is not very good now breaks my heart even more.”
On the 14th, Hee-yeol Yoo posted an apology on Antenna Twitter. /Photo = Antenna Twitter
However, he explained that there was a misunderstanding regarding the content of the report posted on Instagram, which raised a similarity in a YouTube comment a few weeks ago, but that the antenna was intentionally omitted.
Yoo Hee-yeol said, “As a result of the review, I would like to inform you that it is not true and that a misunderstanding has occurred, and I am seeking a broader understanding.” I would like to thank you for not leaving a big blemish.”
He also apologized once more, “I apologize to the producers who have been disrupted by my personal actions. Once once more, I apologize for causing inconvenience and disappointment to those who have been waiting for the music to come out following a long time.”
On the other hand, Yoo Hee-yeol’s side will delay the release of the LP first, then contact Sakamoto to sort out credit and copyright issues, and to inform purchasers of the LP separately.
Reporter Lee Bo-bae, Hankyung.com [email protected]