#KoKoBop: EXO Accused Of Plagiarising David Guetta’s “Light My Body Up”; Producer Responds

Oh dear, EXO is accused of plagiarising David Guetta!

Following the release of “Ko Ko Bop”, listeners pointed out that the the idol boy group’s new track sounds highly similar to David Guetta’s hit “Light My Body Up” featuring Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne. According to some netizens, the drop for both songs has the same melody and tempo.

However, a One Hallyu forum user known as “exo9irl” noted that Paul Thompson of Marz Music (MZMC), who is one of the producers behind “Ko Ko Bop”, said the team created “Ko Ko Bop” in November 2016 while David Guetta’s “Light My Body Up” was only released in May 2017. 

“Please everyone, don’t worry. We wrote ‘Ko Ko Bop’ in the first week of November 2016. It takes a long time to prepare an album! I think David Guetta’s song came out end of May 2017. I really hope everyone can calm down and just enjoy the song,” replied the music maker on Instagram.

Since news of the plagiarism went viral, many EXO-Ls (as EXO’s fans are affectionately known) have stepped up to defend their favourite idol group. One fan commented, “That type of drop has been used since before you were born. No plagiarism here. Fake news.”

“It’s a descending chromatic melody so it’s not exactly original. It’ll sound the same in any song in any key,” said one netizen.

You can listen to the comparison below:

https://twitter.com/rmzzangzzang/status/887339022808358912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.allkpop.com%2Farticle%2F2017%2F07%2Fexos-ko-ko-bop-accused-of-plagiarizing-david-guettas-light-my-body-up

What do you think of the controversy? Do you think EXO “copied” David Guetta? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below!

Sources: All Kpop, One Hallyu / Featured image: SM Entertainment, Billboard.