Rosé’s “APT.” Responds to Unfounded Plagiarism Allegations: Similarity to Gangnam Style Dispute

Recently, BLACKPINK’s Rosé has been at the center of a plagiarism debate regarding her song “APT.”This controversy originated in Japan, where some have suggested it bears a resemblance to Miku Sawai’s 2013 hit “Sorry, I Can’t Be a Good Child.”However, experts within the music industry argue that the perceived similarities are minimal and can be attributed to common chord progressions, thereby questioning the legitimacy of the plagiarism claims.

Critics have observed that the chorus of “APT.”at the 32-second point aligns melodically with Sawai’s track from the 41-second point. While a portion of listeners may detect these echoes, music professionals point out that the chord progressions employed are prevalent across many songs, thereby complicating any assertions of copying.

Furthermore, similar chord structures appear in notable tracks such as Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” (2008) and One Direction’s “Night Changes” (2014), alongside songs from groups like IVE and Baby Monster.

A source from the music industry shared with Ten Asia that a crucial aspect of plagiarism analysis is identifying whether a song features a one-of-a-kind progression. They affirmed that “APT.”possesses distinctive qualities beyond some similarities. Additionally, they pointed out that many legal cases exist where plagiarism claims were dismissed due to genre-related similarities.

Moreover, this insider speculated that the plagiarism accusations may be fueled by envy stemming from Rosé’s international acclaim, emphasizing that these claims surfaced within Japanese online forums. They referenced past allegations against Psy’s “Gangnam Style” during its peak popularity, suggesting that this episode could represent a similar trend, deeming it an unjustified controversy.

Source: Daum

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