Cupid alleges Seventeen's 'Left & Right' inspired by 'Cupid Shuffle', Internet says 'blame Pledis, not the boys'
This year hasn’t particularly a cheerful one for fans of K-pop music. There’s some more bad news coming our way, especially for the K-pop band Seventeen's fans. American singer Bryson Bernard, better known as Cupid, put up a video on Twitter alleging the band's new single ‘Left & Right’ bore an uncanny resemblance to his own song ‘Cupid Shuffle’.
In the video, Cupid started by saying, “Guys, I want to check this album and tell me what me and my team should do.” He went on play the snippet from Seventeen's song and then from his own song.
BREAKING NEWS 🚨 Cupid (Cupid Shuffle) proves SEVENTEEN hit “Left Right” ... https://t.co/RPmVoIwVXC via @YouTube #MUSICNEWS
— CUPID (@NEWCUPID) August 14, 2020
In a subsequent tweet, the American singer said, “KPOP GROUP #seventeenで妄想 takes Cupid Shuffle & Cupid is taking action!”.
KPOP GROUP #seventeenで妄想 takes Cupid Shuffle & Cupid is taking action!
— CUPID (@NEWCUPID) August 14, 2020
He followed this by tweeting about a screenshot from TIME magazine on Instagram. He wrote: “TIME MAGAZINE time I love that pledisentertaiment_ & saythename_17 stated in Time magazine that I inspired their new Hit. Now let’s get the business done.” The TIME magazine article that the rapper is referring to is a July 29 report, it states, “With an easy-to-learn chorus routine—choreographed by main dancer Hoshi and members of Team Same, a choreography team Seventeen works with regularly—and a catchy refrain resonant of the Cupid Shuffle, “Left & Right” drew fans from around the world, and a large number of K-pop artists, to groove along.”
TIME MAGAZINE time I love that pledisentertaiment_ & saythename_17 stated in Time magazine that I inspired their new Hit. Now let’s get the business done. @concordmusicpub yogibear337 #cupidshuffle #musicbuisness… https://t.co/ghtFytuYtQ
— CUPID (@NEWCUPID) August 15, 2020
He further tweeted: “This is the music business! That “inspired” card has EXPIRED. The business hasn’t been done. @pledis_17 I made the blueprint. That cost $ @SeventeenFY.” And followed it up with, “It’s funny how Black artists supposed to just shut up when Companies try to not do squarebiz. This ain’t Cadillac Records no more.”
This is the music business! That “inspired” card has EXPIRED. The business hasn’t been done. @pledis_17 I made the blueprint. That cost $ @SeventeenFY pic.twitter.com/gTo3bmvnE5
— CUPID (@NEWCUPID) August 15, 2020
It’s funny how black artist supposed to just shut up when Companies try to not do squarebiz. This ain’t Cadillac Records no more
— CUPID (@NEWCUPID) August 15, 2020
Since these allegations were on Twitter, naturally Twitterati weighed in on the topic. It was discussed at length and there were a lot of different opinions. One user said, " Nah but jokes aside if cupid really does decide to take action as a fan that doesn't concern me. its strictly business and this whole thing literally doesn't affect me in any way it's not like yall are gonna be prohibited from listening to left and right yknow"
nah but jokes aside if cupid really does deside to take action as a fan that doesnt concern me. its strictly business and this whole thing literally doesnt affect me in any way its not like yall are gonna be prohibited from listening to left and right yknow
— lex²⁴ʰ (@yoonflrts) August 15, 2020
Another said, "Cupid never insulted the boys or anything so idk why y’all are getting so worked up acting like he’s trying to cause their downfall he just wants credit for his song ???"
cupid never insulted the boys or anything so idk why y’all are getting so worked up acting like he’s trying to cause their downfall he just wants credit for his song ???
— mari (@hoshifile) August 15, 2020
Another opined, "It is the company who should be held responsible so do not try to blame the boys because they clearly do not have control of such matters. and if they are aware i am sure they do want to apologize but they just completely CANNOT because of pledis. we all know how controlling they can be. but the boys? remember that day mingyu stole the mic and bravely apologized himself? i know wonwoo wants to take action about the past issue too, but you know just why he cant. we ALL know why. if they ever really did something they would sincerely apologize themselves at any chance possible. it is the company, not the boys."
it is the company who should be held responsible so do not try to blame the boys because they clearly do not have control of such matters. and if they are aware i am sure they do want to apologize but they just completely CANNOT because of pledis. we all know how controlling
— 🍞 (@22MlNS) August 15, 2020
Pledis Entertainment is a South Korean entertainment company and is a subsidiary of Big Hit Entertainment. Seventeen, after being trained by the company, debuted in May 2015.
A lot of users pointed their questions at the company and said it should be a matter between Pledis and Cupid. A user said, "Just let him and pledis settle this we all have no say in this matter so please don't attack the artist and learn how to respect."
just let him and pledis settle this we all have no say in this matter so please don't attack the artist and learn how to respect
— eu (@hoshiftsvt) August 15, 2020
Another said, "Regarding the problem between how cupid wants credit from pledis , i think as carats we shouldn't engage in it anymore as its just causing more problems . pledis should just speak with cupid . carats , please . stop being one sided and look at things equally."
regarding the problem between how cupid wants credit from pledis , i think as carats we shouldn't engage in it anymore as its just causing more problems . pledis should just speak with cupid . carats , please . stop being one sided and look at things equally .
— kelly is looking for carat moots ♡ (@svt_vobouji) August 15, 2020
One argued, "If it was actually sampled, the man deserves compensation. If it was just inspiration, he still deserves compensation. We won’t know and carats don’t need to know because this is legal information between cupid & pledis (i wish him luck contacting them) this isn’t our concern."
if it was actually sampled, the man deserves compensation. If it was just inspiration, he still deserves compensation. We won’t know and carats don’t need to know because this is legal information between cupid & pledis (i wish him luck contacting them) this isn’t our concern
— Pix ✨ (@burnpIedis) August 15, 2020
The song is from Seventeen's album 'Heng:garae' and as TIME states, it is a Korean word for throwing someone into the air in celebration. A recent article by Teen Vogue states the album sold over 1 million copies in pre-orders before its June 22 release and it has put them in the same bracket as Korean groups like BTS and EXO.
MEA WorldWide (MEAWW) cannot independently verify and does not support any claims being made on the Internet.