Chapter 340
Chapter 340
Let’s take a look at the public reaction to the plagiarism controversy between Starry Melody and TeSTAR’s Kim Rae-bin.
To be precise, I’ve categorized the people who are currently thrilled to finally have a rock-solid excuse to bash TeSTAR after all this time.
First, Type 1.
The "I Never Expected This" type.
They emphasize how they never thought poorly of TeSTAR before, but are now "deeply disappointed" by this incident.
Of course, the opposite type is just as fun to read.
That would be Type 2.
The "I Knew It" type.
They’re enjoying the freedom to spout all sorts of speculative insults and rumors that would normally get them attacked for being insane. And finally, the most crucial one, Type 3.
The "Starry Melody Hype" type.
The more they deify the victim, the better it feels when they hit the perpetrator.
“So, if we were to predict the reaction of Kim Rae-bin, the core member of Starry Melody who is being hailed as a modern-day Mozart and a genius…”
“…Thank you?”
“Yep, that’s the one.”
At Keun Se-jin’s words, the members either sighed or let out hollow laughs. The guys, who had stopped Kim Rae-bin from immediately posting ‘Starry Melody is TeSTAR’ on social media, were now gathered at the dorm in the early hours of the morning right after landing.
“Where’s Rae-bin?”
“He’s, he’s sleeping well.”
“Okay.”
“But why are we stopping Rae-bin? Let’s just tell them it’s us! Let’s show them the taste of justice!”
“Mmm~ Yu-jin, it’s better to prepare a bit before speaking out on things like this.”
Keun Se-jin gave a bitter smile.
“There are people who get angry and feel like they were tricked, even if it was their own misunderstanding.”
“Ugh… that’s pathetic.”
“It kind of is.”
He was right. Of course, the moment it’s revealed that Starry Melody is actually TeSTAR with Kim Rae-bin at the helm, mainstream opinion will flip instantly.
The problem is that depending on the method, there could be unnecessary side effects.
I spoke up, crossing my arms.
“People might say we did it on purpose for promotion.”
“Right, that’s a possibility too.”
Some might try to spin the narrative that we created the WeTube account as soon as we signed the OST contract to upload arrangements related to Section 127… or something like that.
There’s no need to leave bait like that behind.
Ryu Cheong-woo added with a serious expression.
“But we can’t leave it for long. Rae-bin is being attacked too much.”
“True. It’s a serious misunderstanding.”
If we leave it for too long under the guise of "deliberating," the symptoms will only worsen.
‘Because people hate apologizing.’
A significant number of those who joined the plagiarism controversy to bash him won't want to admit they were wrong. They’ll try to find another excuse to blame us instead of themselves.
Seon A-hyun looked distressed.
“E-even if it’s a misunderstanding… I think it’s too much. Without even hearing Rae-bin’s explanation, they’re already…”
“…Yeah. it’s too much.”
I nodded.
“It’s a side effect of the song being too successful.”
If the controversy had broken out over a regular B-side track, it might have been different, but this OST is currently riding the National Pride Meta.
‘When vicarious satisfaction is shattered, it turns into vicarious embarrassment.’
They’re even more enraged because they’re afraid of being humiliated internationally. It was a side effect of the National Pride Meta. Even if our title track had a plagiarism controversy, the internet wouldn't be this loud.
“Phew.”
I let out a dry laugh as I watched the subscriber count of the Starry Melody WeTube channel climb alongside the heated atmosphere. Keun Se-jin, who leaned in to check, was shocked.
“Whoa, it passed 100,000.”
“I see.”
In the midst of all this, it’s turned into noise marketing. Should I tell him to register it as a monetized account soon so he can at least get the settlement for the copyright-cleared amount?
Bae Se-jin, who was reading the comments on the channel, muttered with a disgruntled face.
“…Kim Rae-bin is being recognized exactly as much as he’s being bashed, isn't he…?”
“I-I guess so….”
It was a ridiculous situation where it was hard to tell whether to be happy or sad. Cha Yu-jin stretched.
“Whatever! If we do well next time, they won't be able to say anything! Let’s just tell them quickly!”
Consistent as always.
Then, surprisingly, Ryu Cheong-woo spoke up solemnly.
“Actually, I’m thinking the same thing.”
“Huh?”
“I might be being optimistic… but I think if we just speak honestly, it’ll be fine without much trouble.”
Hmm.
“Honestly?”
“Yeah. I think it’ll be fine if we explain well why we made that account. It’s actually a good story.”
“Mmm.”
The direct approach, then.
Actually, it was the most correct way to release a statement. Explaining the circumstances honestly.
“I was thinking of releasing a formal statement through the company.”
Just then, a low voice came from behind me.
“I… I agree with that.”
“…….”
“Gah!”
“I’m sorry!”
Turning around, I saw Kim Rae-bin standing awkwardly behind a startled Bae Se-jin.
“W-weren't you sleeping?!”
“I woke up a few minutes ago. I came out to get some water, and it seemed like you were all having a discussion, so I was moving quietly, but I unintentionally overheard the conversation!”
“Uh, okay….”
We’re the ones who should feel guilty for talking about someone who wasn't there, so why are you the one making excuses?
Anyway, since the person involved was here, the atmosphere shifted toward hearing his opinion.
“So… Rae-bin, you like this idea? Telling them everything honestly?”
“Yes.”
Kim Rae-bin sat down and nodded.
“The fact that we started this Starry Melody account was a result of the kind help you all gave me when I was in a slump. I definitely want to mention that.”
“R-Rae-bin….”
“Although it will be difficult for us to continue running the account as a hobby… I will try to develop another healthy hobby in a different direction!”
Kim Rae-bin clenched his fists.
‘Oh.’
I smiled broadly.
“Alright. Let’s just be honest.”
“…!!”
I heard whispering next to me.
“Moon-dae-Moon-dae?”
“Is he drunk?”
I ignored them.
“Rae-bin is right. Sincerity always gets through. I think going the honest route is best.”
“Thank you!”
“…Wow~”
Keun Se-jin looked at me with a face that said, "Stop lying." Look at this guy.
Of course, I still had more to say.
“But, instead of going through the company, how about you do it yourself?”
“Ah, then on TeSTAR’s SNS…”
“No, not there.”
“…?”
“Then where are you suggesting I post it?”
Smiling, I turned my smartphone around and showed it to him.
Maximum impact. Let’s go.
Half a day after the plagiarism controversy erupted.
The internet was still burning.
It had turned into a total mess, going beyond the current incident to the point where all sorts of past rumors about Kim Rae-bin were being stitched together and dragged out.
In the midst of it all, while the OST—which was still soaring on the charts—was being hit with rating bombs and constantly generating new buzz...
The victim of the plagiarism had finally appeared!
[This is my position regarding the recent plagiarism controversy.]
Excited by the new fuel, people clicked on the video like crazy.
After the black thumbnail passed, the video revealed…
[Hello. I am TeSTAR’s Kim Rae-bin, the operator of the Starry Melody channel.]
-
In an instant, the real-time chat was filled with question marks, exclamation points, and all sorts of onomatopoeia.
However, Kim Rae-bin, sitting in a room at the dorm in casual clothes, continued his statement with a serious face, referring to the paper he was holding.
[First of all, thank you to everyone who supports this channel. And I am sorry for causing a stir.]
Why was the person accused of plagiarism suddenly saying things like "thank you" on the other party's channel?
‘Is he going to say he reached an amicable agreement with the victim?’
‘If he’s making a forced appearance like this, isn't that just pathetic?’
But Kim Rae-bin continued.
[Back in late autumn, I was experiencing difficulties in composing due to a sudden slump… Because of that, the older members took time out of their busy schedules to organize a hobby camp activity for me.]
[It is unfortunate that this happened during that process, but it was entirely my mistake, and I want to state that the members bear no responsibility.]
From his humble posture and tone, people finally jumped to the conclusion that Kim Rae-bin had come out to apologize for the plagiarism.
Thanks to that, insults finally started pouring in.
[Due to my mistake, the samples got mixed up….]
It was at that moment.
Suddenly, a member crept out from the corner of the room. It was Seon A-hyun.
He waved frantically at Kim Rae-bin, then realizing it wasn't working, he waddled over, whispered in his ear, and disappeared back off-camera.
Only then did Kim Rae-bin’s eyes widen as he nodded.
[Ah! Did I not mention it? I am sorry.]
[I am Starry Melody!]
[I am sorry. I should have mentioned this first, but my desire to give a detailed explanation got ahead of me….]
The comment section was once again filled with confusion and screams. Not that it mattered to Kim Rae-bin, who didn't even know he could see the real-time chat.
[To be precise, this was an account where all of TeSTAR uploaded works we arranged and composed during our hobby camp.]
[Thank you for your support. I’ve been gaining strength from the comments you’ve been leaving recently!]
[If I were to match the songs each member led the arrangement for… Ah, I almost strayed from today’s topic. Once again, I am sorry!]
The real-time reactions were covered in gibberish. But Kim Rae-bin just diligently explained why the situation had turned out this way, exactly as he had prepared.
The only digression was this:
[Gaining strength from the positive reactions you sent, I even sent the works from this account as a portfolio during the OST consultations.]
This was a sentence Park Moon-dae had subtly pushed in to prevent any suspicions that the songs on this account were made after the OST contract was signed.
Of course, Kim Rae-bin spoke it solemnly, thinking he was simply expressing his gratitude.
The real-time chat instantly flipped its stance and started becoming playful.
Because it was fun!
And because Kim Rae-bin wasn't blaming or accusing them for insulting him, but rather saying he was the one who caused the misunderstanding!
Mocking those who had insulted him even more harshly and stirred up the controversy, the chat window now began to embrace its identity solely as Starry Melody supporters.
The trolls who had entered with genuine animosity toward TeSTAR were either pushed out by the changed atmosphere or started laying low.
What followed was a detailed explanation of how Kim Rae-bin composed the OST and why the samples overlapped.
[Due to production schedule issues, I had to create a demo version in four days, and in that process, the mistake of overlapping samples occurred….]
Even that was a situation that evoked plenty of empathy and sympathy from modern people.
The atmosphere had now turned into a pleasant one, purely about listening to the production process of a massive hit movie OST.
Since Kim Rae-bin’s prepared statement was about five minutes long, and it would have a negative effect if it went on too long, it was about time to wrap up the broadcast.
[Knock knock.]
[Ah!]
On screen, Kim Rae-bin turned his head toward the dorm door, which was halfway in the corner.
Then, the rest of the TeSTAR members started creeping into the room from behind the door.
Just as the chat was filling up with "Lmao" at their embarrassed behavior, as if they were late to a meeting room...
Dressed in comfortable casual clothes, they hurriedly bowed their heads, even making sure to get into formation around Kim Rae-bin.
[We are sorry for causing a stir!]
When a scene that looked like it belonged in an "apology thumbnail" appeared, the comments were once again filled with laughter.
[I’m sorry! I suggested it! I told him to try it as a hobby!]
[We didn't know it would turn out like this either! Rae-bin is innocent!]
It was so obviously sincere that it was hilarious.
In that lighthearted atmosphere, people now felt comfortable enough to even start apologizing.
It was the moment the controversy completely transitioned into a delightful anecdote.
[Then, we will see you next time with a mistake-free appearance!]
Finally, the camera shook clumsily a few times before the live stream ended.
But the comments were still buzzing with the aftereffects of the delightful mess they never saw coming.
At the same time, the internet began to be flooded with similar posts.
Because it was funny.
[The Identity of Starry Melody]
[Kim Rae-bin and Kim Rae-bin reach an amicable agreement over plagiarism controversy... .jpg]
Only after those had spread appropriately did TeSTAR upload a piece of evidence to their official SNS, like a reflection on the incident.
========================
Now it can be told... The Ginseng Wine Park Moon-dae drank at the Composition Camp Cabin.
(Photo)
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Everything was a matter of timing.
The only thing Park Moon-dae hadn't expected was that this time, the timing would work out even more perfectly than he had imagined.