South Korean entertainment giant Big Hit Music is mounting a rigorous defence against claims that BTS plagiarised an American track for their worldwide hit «Swim.»
Hybe’s management division publicly pushed back on Friday against a recent federal court filing that accuses the company of intellectual property theft.
Speaking directly to The Korea Herald, agency representatives described the K-pop anthem as a completely original work. They dismissed the legal challenge as entirely baseless and vowed to tackle the dispute head-on in court.
A trio of musicians comprising Steve Cooper, Jon Sandler and Greylyn Johnson initiated the litigation in California’s Central District on Wednesday. The plaintiffs argue that the lead promotional single from the boy band’s comeback record «Arirang» heavily mirrors an unreleased demo they authored under an identical title.
This controversy emerges while the music septet travels internationally for a massive tour supporting their first major studio project following a four-year group pause.
Cultural roots and musical themes
Naming their latest LP after a historic Korean folk anthem, the group aimed to blend cultural heritage with modern reflections. Vocalist Jimin recently told listeners that the broader album dives into their origins, whereas the contested track serves as a snapshot of their present mindset.
Official promotional materials describe the pop track as an exploration of resilience amidst unpredictable challenges. The lyrics encourage listeners to navigate forward steadily instead of fighting against natural currents, framing personal momentum as a celebration of existence. Expanding on this concept, Jimin noted the melody acts as a bridge connecting previous struggles to tomorrow’s ambitions.
Legal claims and expert testimony
According to court documents, the American writers crafted their preliminary audio between January and March of 2025. They contend this early master was uploaded to the Disco network and pitched to Artist Publishing Group executives, theorising it was eventually leaked to the Hybe production team.
The plaintiffs enlisted musicologist Alexander Stewart to conduct an independent audio analysis. His findings reportedly expose glaring structural parallels across the chorus hooks, lyrical phrasing, rhythmic patterns and underlying harmonies, leading him to declare the K-pop release derivative.
Litigation targets corporate entities including Hybe and Big Hit Music alongside credited Western producers like Ryan Tedder, James Essien and Derrick Milano. Notably absent from the defendant list are the performing artists themselves, as well as band leader RM and long-time Korean producer Pdogg who both hold writing credits.
The aggrieved composers want a judge to block any future commercial use of the disputed material while demanding financial compensation and stripped profits. If an outright ban fails, they are petitioning for official co-writing acknowledgements to guarantee a cut of all subsequent royalties.
