Why BTS and other K-pop bands turn a blind eye to ‘copycat’ acts from Japan, China and elsewhere
K-pop imitated and blended music from the West and Japan to develop its own distinguishing features; now bands from elsewhere are taking Korean music as their reference
Japanese band Ballistik Boyz from Exile Tribe became the talk of Korea last year after conquering Japan’s Oricon weekly album chart with their debut EP “Ballistik Boyz”.
While some celebrated the feat, many criticised the group for imitating K-pop titan Bangtan (meaning “bulletproof” in Korean) Boys, who are better known as BTS.
The two share lots of common ground, from name, number of members and sonic style. Both have seven members – three rappers and four vocalists – and are hip hop-based. Many even point out that Ballistik Boyz’ wardrobe choice, hairstyles and image resemble BTS’.
Since K-pop’s global ascent in the mid-2000s, legions of singers, mostly from Asia, have copied various features of the genre. Chinese groups AOS and OK Bang and Thai band Candy Mafia are a few examples.
K-pop also imitated and blended music from the United States, Japan and other countries to develop its own distinguishing features such as a mixture of diverse genres and emphasis on choreography and music videos.
Since imitation is a frequent phenomenon in pop culture history, K-pop labels have rarely taken action against copycats.
Industry insiders say there is another major reason for overlooking them.
“Korean music labels tend to believe that the emergence of copycats proves the pre-eminence of the original K-pop singers,” Lee Gyu-tag, a professor of arts and science at George Mason University Korea, told Korea Times.
“Knock-off groups usually cannot beat out or replace K-pop artists in terms of music and other features. But their attempt to emulate shows that K-pop is their ‘reference’, leading people to think the genre is something of quality and original.”