BTS members perform during a concert. Courtesy of BigHit Entertainment

French photographer keeps taking issue with BTS work

French photographer Bernard Faucon has once again accused K-pop colossus BTS of having plagiarized his work, just a week after the boy band came up with its latest album “Map of the Soul: Persona.”

In mid-April, Faucon claimed that several cover photos for another BTS album, “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life,” and its music video, “Blood Sweat Tears,” were similar to his 1978 series “Summer Camp,” and “The Banquet.”

He sent letters to BigHit Entertainment, the management agency of BTS, twice late last year demanding an apology, compensation and public acknowledgment that BTS referenced his work.

In response, BigHit has denied the accusation, countering that the septet has had nothing to do with the French artist’s work of more than 40 years ago.

But this time, he fell short of arguing that the K-pop idol group outright plagiarized his work.

Just ahead of the Faucon disclosure, BTS member SUGA responded to the accusation with the same tone as in the band’s global press conference in Seoul, April 17.

He said his opinion was in line with that of BigHit. “Our company’s legal team is dealing with this issue. The results will come out,” he said briefly.

Some critics contend that Faucon may be trying to ride on the popularity of BTS, which has gained traction across the world with their latest album. Some even claim that the French photographer is attempting “noise marketing.”

In fact, BTS has disclosed the source of the band’s inspiration for their music videos.

For example, BTS made it clear that the book of James Doty called “Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon’s Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart” became the motif for “Magic Shop,” one of the tracks on the group’s 2018 album “Love Yourself: Tear.”

BTS also said that the music video of “Boy With Luv,” the title track of its latest album, pays homage to classic U.S. musical film “Singing in the Rain.”

 

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