[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Hyesoo] Sampling inserted in the BTS member Suga's solo mixtape track "What Do You Think?" is becoming a global issue.
On the 22nd, Suga released the mixtape "D-2" under the name "Agust D." It was later revealed that the introduction of the track "What Do You Think?" included a speech sample from American cult leader James Warren Jim Jones. This sampling is from Jim Jones' 1977 speech, containing the message, "You will live even if you die. Those who live and believe will never die."
Jim Jones founded the cult People's Temple in the United States in the 1950s and became controversial for orchestrating the "Jonestown Massacre" in November 1978, where he forced his followers to commit mass suicide by poison. It is known that around 900 people lost their lives in this incident.
The problematic sampling inserted in "What Do You Think?" was first raised as an issue by overseas fandoms. International fans pointed out that including Jim Jones' speech, which is unrelated to the song's lyrics, was inappropriate. However, some fans argued that it could be acceptable as an "artistic domain" or "ironic expression," so the controversy is not expected to subside easily.
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