VietNamNet Bridge – Copyright infringements among local artists in fashion or music industries have occasionally been reported in Vietnam over the years. Lately, the song “Chac ai do se ve” composed by local teen pop star Son Tung M-TP has been accused of copying the melody of the song “Because I miss you” by South Korean singer/songwriter Jung Yong Hwa, leader of popular CNBlue band. This has led to a big debate among music experts and fans.

Son Tung M-TP (2nd, L) in a poster of the movie “Chang trai nam ay” which has had its premiere delayed due to the music copycat scandal

Previously, the song “Chac ai do se ve” composed by the 20-year-old Son Tung M-TP was released on local online music sites on October 24.

This is a soundtrack for the movie “Chang trai nam ay” featuring Son Tung M-TP and other popular young artists whose premiere slated for late this month has been delayed due to the copycat scandal. Since its debut the song has been on top of favorite songs on local music charts and helped bring Tung to the nomination list of local pretigious music awards of Lan Song Xanh organized by the radio Voice of HCMC.

However, on October 30, it was reported on the Fanpage of one of the members of CNBlue band, Lee Jung Shin, that Son Tung M-TP is a “music thief pro.” The page also said that Tung has stolen many songs of K-Pop (the pop music industry of Korea) artists, including Namolla Family, As One, Bang Yong Guk B.A.P and Exid and copied the style of Korean music star/fashion icon G-Dragon.

There were controversies among fans. Some said that Tung copied the melody and the singing style of “Because I miss you” while others defended Tung against that accusation and said that there was no similarity between these two songs.

After receiving a letter from director Nguyen Quang Huy of the movie “Chang trai nam ay,” the Copyright Office of Vietnam asked Vietnam Musicians’ Association to have a thorough appraisal about the song. A meeting consisting of musicians Pho Duc Phuong, Do Bao, Duong Khac Linh and Vo Thien Thanh was convened on Monday with the final conclusion that the song was a copycat.

Veteran musician Pho Duc Phuong told Tuoi Tre on Monday that “Son Tung M-TP copied the song in a clever way. Our appraisal committee all agreed to send a document to the Copyright Office of Vietnam and request the singer to stop this copycat. This is such an international copyrights’ violation.”

The composer also said that there should be strict punishments and stops the circulation of the song. Musician Truong Ngoc Ninh, who also attended the meeting, shared his opinion that Tung’s song was almost 80% the same as “Because I miss you” from the melody to the beat.

“This song can taint the image of our music industry. Furthermore, it will create a bad antecedent for others in the future,” said Ninh.

Director Quang Huy told Zing.vn that he and the film’s producers haven’t received any document from the Copyright Office of Vietnam so they can’t comment anything. No matter how it is they respect the decision of authorities.

Huy, who is also a musician, also said that he and certain other colleagues found no similarity between these two songs except the chords.

Truong Thu Dung, deputy head of the Recording Industry Association of Vietnam, told Zing.vn that this is not the first time Son Tung has been denouned for music copycat. Some of his songs like Em cua ngay hom qua, Con mua ngang qua and Nang am xa dan have been music hits with huge downloads and views and helped bring him to stardom in Vietnam. Dung showed her concerns as local youth have a blind love for their idol without questioning his/her wrong behaviors.

She also commented that Tung has talents in singing, dancing and performance skills. However he needs to lead his music career in the right direction for long-term development.

Due to the copycat scandal, the organizing committee of this year’s Lan Song Xanh music awards last week eliminated the song “Chac ai do se ve” from the nomination list although it has gained millions of hits on the music chart of Lan Song Xanh.

In an interview with kenh14.vn, Tung said that he was sad to hear the conclusion from the appraisal committee of Vietnam Musicians’ Association about his song. He asserted that he himself had created the song’s melody and lyrics except the beat done by producers. Tung was also regretful at the delay of the movie “Chang trai nam ay” as many people have invested their effort and time into the work. He also felt guilty to his family’s members who have suffered from his scandal. The singer expects to take a break time in the northern province of Thai Binh as his hometown with his family to release his stress and tiresomeness.

Lately, Tung’s agency, Van Production, released a document to announce the ban of his performances from November 1 to April 30. According to the company, Tung failed to follow the company’s schedule and personally cancel performances and signed advertising contracts without permission of the company.

Tung told the media earlier this week that he and his agency had stopped their cooperation earlier this month thus all the decisions and words from the agency were no longer related to him.

SGT/VNN