Jeon Somi Suspected of Japanese Manga Plagiarism in Fast Forward MV

Jeon Somi, a popular K-pop soloist and former member of I.O.I, has been accused of plagiarizing a Japanese manga series in her latest music video for “Fast Forward”. The song is the title track of her first EP album “GAME PLAN”, which was released on August 7, 2023.
The controversy arose when some netizens noticed that the MV contained scenes that resembled the artwork and characters of “Urusei Yatsura”, a classic manga series by Rumiko Takahashi that ran from 1978 to 1987. The manga tells the story of a lecherous high school boy named Ataru Moroboshi, who is forced to marry an alien princess named Lum, who wears a tiger-striped bikini and has horns and electric powers.
Some of the alleged similarities include Jeon Somi’s outfit, hairstyle, and accessories, which look similar to Lum’s; the use of a flying scooter and a UFO-shaped spaceship; and the appearance of a character with glasses and a bandage on his face, who resembles Ataru’s friend Megane. Some netizens also pointed out that the MV’s title “Fast Forward” could be a reference to the manga’s opening theme song “Lum no Love Song”, which has the lyrics “fast forward, rewind, play”.
The MV’s director, Han Sa Min, and Jeon Somi’s agency, THEBLACKLABEL, have issued an apology statement on their official social media accounts. They admitted that they were inspired by “Urusei Yatsura” and other retro anime works, but denied any intentional plagiarism. They explained that they wanted to create a fun and nostalgic concept for Jeon Somi’s comeback, and that they did not intend to disrespect or infringe on the original work. They also stated that they have removed the scenes that caused the controversy from the MV, and that they will be more careful in the future.
However, some fans and critics are not satisfied with the apology, and have demanded a more sincere and detailed explanation from Jeon Somi and her agency. They argued that the MV’s similarities to the manga are too obvious and blatant to be considered as mere homage or coincidence, and that they have damaged the reputation and image of Jeon Somi as an artist. They also expressed their disappointment and anger at Jeon Somi and her agency for not giving proper credit or respect to the original manga creator, Rumiko Takahashi, who is widely regarded as one of the most influential and successful manga artists of all time.
On the other hand, some fans and netizens have defended Jeon Somi and her agency, and have criticized the plagiarism accusations as being exaggerated and unfair. They claimed that the MV’s concept was creative and unique, and that it did not copy the manga’s story or characters, but only used some elements as references or tributes. They also praised Jeon Somi’s performance and visuals in the MV, and expressed their support and love for her music.