K-Pop Star's Song Accused of Plagiarism: Baek Yerin vs. Ha Sungwoon

In an unexpected twist that rippled across the Instagram universe, the popular soloist-songwriter Baek Yerin didn’t just stroll into the limelight; she practically pirouetted into it with a pointed finger aimed at the music team behind Ha Sungwoon’s latest OST. Yes, you read that right! It seems that the soundtrack for the heart-fluttering drama "Love Next Door" isn’t sitting well with Yerin, who claims that the melody is a little too... let's say, reminiscent of her own work.

On September 4th, just when the world thought it could settle in for some sappy tunes, Yerin shared Ha Sungwoon’s official soundtrack, “What Are We?” with what appeared to be the enthusiasm of a loyal fan. A casual scroll might have had you thinking she was on board with the romantic vibes of the song, but her cleverly snarky caption had her followers raising their eyebrows as if they had just bitten into a sour candy. “It must be you to suck at copying. Feel bad. If you want a song like mine, please ask me,” she quipped, making us wonder if perhaps a career in witty comebacks might be on the horizon for her. Talk about a plot twist!

Yerin has gone on record suggesting that this new OST isn’t just inspired by her, but may very well be lifting notes from her 2019 track, which was featured in her album “Every Letter I Sent You.” If you listen closely, the opening guitar riff could have easily convinced a casual listener that it was picking up the same tune. Ah, the joys of modern music; sometimes, it feels like a game of “spot the difference” where the lines between originality and inspiration blend like watercolor paint.

Of course, no drama would be complete without a bit of netizen uproar. Many fans took to social media, expressing their dissatisfaction over what they deemed an “unfair” act of imitation, urging the production team to apologize and properly credit Baek Yerin for her apparent influence. Meanwhile, the devoted fans of Ha Sungwoon—the so-called HA:NEULs—are stepping up to defend their idol. They remind everyone that, while he may belt out the emotional jaunties of the OST, he wasn’t the one at the helm of writing or producing it. In this whirlwind of outrage, one can’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for the poor guy caught in the crossfire.

In the messiest of situations, the real lesson shines through: Whether you’re a soloist, a star, or just a humble fan, the world of music is as intertwined as a bouquet of wildflowers—beautiful, chaotic, and sometimes a touch prickly. But before we conclude, let’s take a look at how the social media audience has been reacting! Feast your eyes on the comment section of this digital drama, for it promises a mixture of support, sarcasm, and a sprinkle of chaos.

As the saga unfolds, there’s no mistaking that both Baek Yerin and Ha Sungwoon will remain in the spotlight—though perhaps not exactly how they had envisioned. Such is the curious business of fame, where even the most melodic notes can echo a little too closely to someone else's tune.