To recap, some netizens noticed that Roy Kim's song sounded very much like Acoustic Rain's song and the issue eventually blew up. Roy Kim denied the accusations and his agency CJ E&M stepped up to try to clarify the matter with their statement, revealing that the ukulele version of Acoustic Rain's "Love Is Canon" was not even registered until after Roy Kim's song release. In regards to the original version of "Love Is Canon", which was registered a year before, the agency revealed that experts had looked into the matter and determined that there was no plagiarism involved. The agency also firmly stressed that neither Roy Kim nor any of the composers involved in the album had known about the existence of Acoustic Rain and his song.
Acoustic Rain remained quiet for the most part, and received some flak for keeping mum on the issue. But he has now released a statement, revealing why he hasn't spoken up until now and also firmly stressing his wish to maintain a good relationship with CJ E&M.
Acoustic Rain wrote, "First off, I would like to sincerely thank the many netizens who gave encouragement and strength to an unknown artist like me."
"Also, I humbly accept the points that the supporters of an awesome musician like Roy Kim have made and fully understand their love and wanting to protect the young and famous musician. I will tell you why I couldn't reveal my position before."
"The downloads and streaming of my songs from MelOn, Mnet, Bugs, Soribada, and Olleh Music supply my salary and determine the sum I receive every month. I earn a little over 1 million KRW (~890 USD) ever month. Among the sources of income, the income from MelOn and Mnet are almost all of it. In this way, Mnet is a very important company to me. Roy Kim is an artist from that agency. Also, I am the head of my household and a father who needs to raise money for his 2 children by maintaining a good relationship with CJ E&M (Mnet). I hope that Roy Kim's fans will understand and resolve their misunderstanding."
"I don't make music with bad intentions. I try to sing only the truth with a heart filled with love. I also have a trauma concerning lawsuits. When I was in my twenties, my parents were faced with a lawsuit so I witnessed a lot of their financial and emotional damage. The effects of that lawsuit led my mother to be treated for long periods of time at the neuropsychiatry ward at the Incheon Christian Hospital and an another hospital in Incheon.
"I don't want to hate anyone and I also don't want to hurt someone. Although this wasn't my intention, if Roy Kim got hurt from this experience, I want to say that I'm sincerely sorry. Honestly, I myself couldn't do anything for the past two weeks in a state of numbness. Now I will get myself together and work hard as well. I dream of a world filled with forgiveness, consideration, and love."
The post unfortunately hasn't really quenched netizens' thirst for answers as many wonder if Acoustic Rain is trying to indirectly say that he was pressured by CJ E&M to keep silent if he wants to make his songs available on Mnet.
Whatever way his statement is interpreted, the one thing that is clear is Acoustic Rain's wish for this issue to not drag on any longer.
Source: Sports Chosun via Nate
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