Singer IU (real name Lee Ji-eun) has drawn her sword to root out accusations of plagiarism that have persisted for over a decade.

On May 8, an individual referred to as A filed a complaint at the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul, alleging that IU violated copyright law. The songs suspected of plagiarism include 'Pink Shoes', 'Good Day', 'Bbibbi', 'Pitiful', 'Boo', 'Celebrity', amounting to a total of six songs. Notably, IU has participated in the composition of 'Celebrity' and the production of 'Bbibbi'.

In response, her agency EDAM Entertainment stated, "We are aware of the fact that flyers containing groundless rumors and posts alleging plagiarism based on false information have been distributed in some areas," and continued, "We will not cease to respond strongly to indiscriminate third-party accusations and criminal acts based on false information." They also affirmed their continued legal response.

So why did the accuser target IU, who is a singer, not the creator of the songs? In 2013, a decade ago, IU faced criticism for plagiarism suspicions regarding 'Pink Shoes'. The song was pointed out as similar to the German band Nektar's 'Here's Us', to which Bang Si-hyuk, known as the head of HYBE, responded, "Music has the concepts of genre and cliché," and added, "If 'Pink Shoes' is plagiarism, then we would have to say that nearly all swing jazz songs are plagiarizing each other."

Songwriters involved in IU's work also closed ranks. Songwriter Lee Min-soo said, "I read an article that the songs 'Good Day' and 'Pink Shoes', which I composed for IU, are suspected of plagiarism," and continued, "I am writing this in response to recent criticism of artists that goes beyond reproduction and expansion. Neither 'Good Day' nor 'Pink Shoes' were created with reference to or considering other people's songs," thereby denying the suspicions.

Lee Jong-hoon, who composed 'Bbibbi', also stated that "Copyright (intellectual property) belongs to the domain of the composer," and called the situation of accusing IU, not himself, an "attempt to tarnish the artist," while also denying the plagiarism suspicions.

Choi Gap-won, the producer who co-composed and wrote the lyrics for 'Pitiful', also mentioned that the mere existence of such controversy is a disgrace and promised the strongest possible response.

The original creators, as experts, are actively defending IU's album. IU, one of the top musicians in the country, faced plagiarism suspicions 10 years ago, and it is clear that she plans to break through the situation with a strong legal response this time as well.

Being a singer, not the original creator, and already at the top as an actor or entertainer, these plagiarism suspicions can be quite damaging for the star who has consistently suffered from malicious comments and defamation. IU must feel the need to thoroughly eradicate these plagiarism suspicions, and her agency is in close communication with the original creators, viewing the accuser as attempting to tarnish the artist.

In the world of popular arts, creative works, and plagiarism controversies, experts conduct careful reviews before any judgement is made, and all eyes are on the stakeholders as they await the conclusion of this case.

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