Netizens are buzzing over a recent controversy surrounding NewJeans’ track “Bubble Gum.”
A YouTube video has sparked discussions on an online forum, drawing comparisons between “Bubble Gum” and the 1980s hit “Easier Said Than Done” by the still-active British jazz-funk band Shakatak.
The post, titled “Is this plagiarism by NewJeans?” underscored the similarities between the compositions by 250 and others, and Shakatak’s track by Bill Sharpe & Roger Odell.
The video has since racked up over 85,000 views and ignited thousands of comments.
Supporters of the song argue that sampling is a common practice in the music industry, pointing out that beats and samples can be legally obtained. Some speculate that “Bubble Gum” might have legally sampled the renowned Shakatak song, which itself has been used in multiple tracks, including Japanese commercials.
While ADOR has yet to confirm whether “Bubble Gum” involves a licensed sample from “Easier Said Than Done,” advocates maintain that legally purchased samples do not necessitate crediting the original artists. It’s also reported that the Shakatak track has been sampled in about 20 other songs.
The Korean media’s coverage of this controversy has since been withdrawn.
Discussion comments range from anticipation of an official release and statement to frustrations over misinterpretations of sampling laws:
“The song ‘Bubble Gum’ isn’t even out on music platforms”
“So they haven’t issued an official statement yet?”
“I wonder if this is corporate’s way of trying to take down Min Hee Jin even more” “The journalist who has written this article also wrote so many other articles talking about how Min Hee Jin said ‘BTS “copied” her’…oh god”
“I’m so frustrated because once the sampling is cleared then there’s no need to credit the owner of the original copyright, no?” “So, it’s like a remake?” “There was a time when ATEEZ’s producer EDEN had to post a message saying how their song “Dancing Like Butterfly Wings” used the same sample as PENTAGON’s “Genius.” But those samples were all legally purchased so it didn’t matter…”
“It’s too similar, ADOR will probably make a statement, right? Usually, ADOR is pretty clear about their position on such matters.But if it’s just a reference, that would be a bit ridiculous since other groups get severely criticized for using references”
“I guess some people still don’t understand the difference between sampling and plagiarism lol”
“ILLIT’s ‘Lucky Girl Syndrome’ is also from sampling…”
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