By Dong Sun-hwa
Prolific Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto has taken a stand against allegations that Korean singer-songwriter You Hee-yeol plagiarized his 1999 release "Aqua" to write his 2021 song, "A Very Private Evening."
Sakamoto's comments came about a week after You was accused of plagiarism when some internet users pointed out on Instagram that "A Very Private Evening" ― a track made for You's "Life Music" project that intends to bring diverse music to people's daily lives ― has a similar melody and chord progression with "Aqua."
Hours after the accusation was raised, You said on the Facebook of Antenna Music ― a music label he established in 1997 ― that after reviewing the two songs, he came to agree that the main themes of them shared similarities.
"As Ryuichi Sakamoto was a musician whom I've respected and been influenced by for a long time, his songs may have remained in my head and I think that's how I came up with similar melodies," he wrote, adding he apologizes to the Japanese composer and his fans.
Antenna Music said You contacted Sakamoto immediately and received a statement from him the next day on June 15, that "Aqua" and "A Very Private Evening" share some similarities but not on the level of requiring any legal action.
On Monday, It Music Creative, an agency in charge of Sakamoto's projects in Korea, also disclosed the statement. "I can see You's great respect for my composition," Sakamoto said. "I have some pieces that have obvious strong influences from Bach and Debussy, whom I love, respect, and from whom I have learned a lot. I don't mean to put myself on the same level as Bach and Debussy, so please don't get me wrong. Every creation is influenced by existing arts (the public domain). It would be great and appreciated if you could put 5~10 percent of your originality into it. I am still trying my best to raise my originality percentage on every music I create, which is challenging. But that makes the art beautiful, I think."
Numerous online commenters, however, are still insisting that You is guilty of plagiarism. They also say he plagiarized works by American R&B group Public Announcement and Japanese musician Tamaki Koji, but Antenna has not commented on these allegations.
He is also suspected of plagiarizing another of Sakamoto's pieces, "1900," in his own song "Time to Turn on," but Antenna claimed that You had never heard "1900" before. "Sakamoto does not want the ongoing issue to spread further," the company added.
You, who debuted as a member of band Toy in 1994, has been acclaimed for his songwriting skills, composing a string of hits including "That I Was Once By Your Side" (1996).
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| Singer-songwriter You Hee-yeol / Courtesy of Antenna Music |
Sakamoto's comments came about a week after You was accused of plagiarism when some internet users pointed out on Instagram that "A Very Private Evening" ― a track made for You's "Life Music" project that intends to bring diverse music to people's daily lives ― has a similar melody and chord progression with "Aqua."
Hours after the accusation was raised, You said on the Facebook of Antenna Music ― a music label he established in 1997 ― that after reviewing the two songs, he came to agree that the main themes of them shared similarities.
"As Ryuichi Sakamoto was a musician whom I've respected and been influenced by for a long time, his songs may have remained in my head and I think that's how I came up with similar melodies," he wrote, adding he apologizes to the Japanese composer and his fans.
Antenna Music said You contacted Sakamoto immediately and received a statement from him the next day on June 15, that "Aqua" and "A Very Private Evening" share some similarities but not on the level of requiring any legal action.
On Monday, It Music Creative, an agency in charge of Sakamoto's projects in Korea, also disclosed the statement. "I can see You's great respect for my composition," Sakamoto said. "I have some pieces that have obvious strong influences from Bach and Debussy, whom I love, respect, and from whom I have learned a lot. I don't mean to put myself on the same level as Bach and Debussy, so please don't get me wrong. Every creation is influenced by existing arts (the public domain). It would be great and appreciated if you could put 5~10 percent of your originality into it. I am still trying my best to raise my originality percentage on every music I create, which is challenging. But that makes the art beautiful, I think."
Numerous online commenters, however, are still insisting that You is guilty of plagiarism. They also say he plagiarized works by American R&B group Public Announcement and Japanese musician Tamaki Koji, but Antenna has not commented on these allegations.
He is also suspected of plagiarizing another of Sakamoto's pieces, "1900," in his own song "Time to Turn on," but Antenna claimed that You had never heard "1900" before. "Sakamoto does not want the ongoing issue to spread further," the company added.
You, who debuted as a member of band Toy in 1994, has been acclaimed for his songwriting skills, composing a string of hits including "That I Was Once By Your Side" (1996).
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