Girls' Generation 'FOREVER 1' MV Director Responds to Plagiarism Accusations
After raising concerns that Girls' Generation's music video for "FOREVER 1" was plagiarized, the director has finally responded to the accusations.
Keep on reading to know more.
Girls' Generation 'FOREVER 1' Music Video Accused of Plagiarizing Tokyo DisneySea
Recently on August 12, a Japanese netizen took to their social media account to raise the concern that Girls' Generation's latest set and art for their "FOREVER 1" music video committed plagiarism.
Girls' Generation
The netizen shared over on their Twitter account a photo of the emblem Tokyo DisneySea designed and used to celebrate the mega theme park's 15th anniversary since their opening.
Along with the photo, the netizen added, "Huh? Isn't this a copy of DisneySea's 15th anniversary?"
They later added new photos which compared Girls' Generation "15th" emblem found in their music video to that of the Disney theme park.
Girls' Generation's '15' emblem (left) and Tokyo DisneySea's '15' emblem (right)
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After seeing the uncanny similarities between the two, other Japanese netizens left comments agreeing that this may be a case of plagiarism. Even Korean netizens were surprised at how similar they were, and took to social media to criticize those who were in-charge of making such a mistake in Girls' Generation's important milestone.
'FOREVER 1' Director Apologizes for Plagiarism Controversy
After the netizen's post garnered attention online, the person who directed the group's "FOREVER 1" music video took to their social media to address the accusations and apologize to the public.
Shin Hee Won, the director of the music video, shared on Instagram:
"I would like to apologize for hurting Girls' Generation and SM Entertainment due to the controversy currently surrounding the set design of the music video for 'FOREVER 1.'
During my involvement in each of the stage, including the production and in the use of all props, a design was borrowed without receiving permission, and I am embarrassed and apologetic that such an incident had occurred.
In designing the number that would be included in a parade set celebrating Girls' Generation's 15th anniversary, several reference images related to numerical designs were up for consideration. And once an appropriate image was chosen, the design was borrowed without confirming of the image's origin.
I have only confirmed today that this design was a design used by Japan's Tokyo DisneySea for its 15th anniversary, and I would like to sincerely apologize for using the image without having confirmation or permission.
In order to ensure that this incident does not happen again, I will check all matters related to production thoroughly from now on.
And finally, I would like to once again apologize to Girls' Generation, SM Entertainment, and to the fans who have watched Girls' Generation's music video for causing such a troublesome incident with a careless mistake."
Meanwhile, Girls' Generation made their highly-awaited comeback back on August 5 with their seventh studio album "FOREVER 1" and its lead single of the same name. This marked the group's first comeback as a group in over five years.
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Written by Robyn Joan
