A Japanese band that sparked controversy with a new track widely compared to the late Kim Kwang-seok’s “Where Wind Comes from” says it will suspend all activities tied to the song roughly 10 days after its release.
On the 24th, Super Climbing Club issued an apology and notice via its official channels regarding “Sanpo,” acknowledging listeners’ claims that the track bears a striking resemblance to Kim’s classic.
The group maintained it was unaware of Kim Kwang-seok’s hit when composing the song, but said that―after hearing the feedback―it now understands how deeply Kim and “Where Wind Comes from” are cherished in Korea. The band said it will begin pulling “Sanpo” from platforms and halt the release of related videos. A planned music video produced in collaboration with a hiking app has also been scrapped.
Calling the incident “the result of our own shortcomings,” the band apologized to anyone offended, including stakeholders and fans.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)