Famous North Korean Singer Jeong Hong-ran 'Be Jealous of Us'
Instrumental Part Similar to Girlfriend's 'Fingertip'
"Since We Can't Control It, We Made It Similar"
Jung Hong-ran, a famous North Korean singer, has been accused of plagiarizing the song "Fingertip" by the South Korean girl group GFriend.
The controversial song appears in a video uploaded to the North Korean regime's propaganda YouTube channel "Samjiyon." Jung Hong-ran performed a song titled "Be Envious of Us," which is said to be a remake of a song originally sung by the Cheongbong Orchestra.
The plagiarism suspicion centers on the interlude section of the song. Netizens pointed out that it is similar to GFriend's 2017 release "Fingertip," noting that the progression and note names are identical.
On December 31 last year, North Korean rookie singers performed at the New Year's celebration concert held at the Pyongyang May 1 Stadium. From left to right are Kim Ryugyong, Hyun Yewon, and Jeong Hongran. [Photo by Yonhap News]
On the 17th, North Korea expert Professor Kang Dong-wan of Dong-A University explained in a video about the plagiarism suspicion posted on his YouTube channel, "After comparing the two songs with professional musicians, it was found that both songs are expressed with exactly the same note names," adding, "Ultimately, it should be considered plagiarism."
Regarding why the North Korean singer copied a South Korean song, Professor Kang mentioned the current remake trend sweeping North Korea, stating, "At the September 9th (9.9) Day performance last year, singers Kim Yu-kyung and Jung Hong-ran appeared and rearranged songs in a South Korean R&B style, which was evaluated as a 'historic performance.' Because of this, many songs were rearranged to the extent that people wondered what the original songs were at this year's New Year's Grand Celebration."
He continued, "The North Korean authorities are controlling the situation because the new generation is becoming ideologically confused by being obsessed with South Korean songs. Since they cannot keep cracking down and controlling indefinitely, they instructed to create higher-quality songs than South Korean ones, describing this as subjective change and subjective transformation," and analyzed, "Therefore, it seems intentional to include a South Korean girl group's song in 'Be Envious of Us' to make it sound like a very familiar rhythm."
Professor Kang also explained why North Korean youth are captivated by K-pop: "Most North Korean songs are in the form of military songs, with lyrics about sacrificing one's life for Kim Jong-un. In contrast, South Korean songs deal with love and human life. It is said that North Korean songs have only ideology, while South Korean songs have only love," adding, "Even if the rhythm or beat of South Korean songs is plagiarized, I don't think North Korean youth will like or be enthusiastic about 'Be Envious of Us' as intended."
Kim Jong-un: "K-pop is a Malignant Cancer Corrupting Our Youth"
Meanwhile, foreign media have reported that Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, has referred to K-pop as a "vicious cancer," expressing concern over the spread of the Korean Wave within North Korea.
The New York Times reported on June 10, 2021 (local time), "Kim Jong-un defined K-pop as a 'vicious cancer' that corrupts the clothing, hairstyles, speech, and behavior of North Korean youth," adding, "Through state media, he warned that if left unchecked, North Korea would 'collapse like a damp wall,' urging strong countermeasures."
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