Jang Wonyoung Reacts to KPop Demon Hunters’ Plagiarism Claims by Comparing Golden to I AM

Jang Wonyoung is getting major attention online after finally speaking out about the long-standing comparisons between KPop Demon Hunters’ “Golden” and IVE’s I AM.

Since its release, KPop Demon Hunters has become a global phenomenon, following the story of demon hunters who secretly live double lives as members of a world-famous K-pop girl group. The Sony Pictures Animation film has gained explosive popularity around the world, with its soundtrack, especially the song “Golden,” becoming one of the project’s biggest viral hits.

However, almost immediately after the film’s release, many K-pop fans began pointing out the similarities between “Golden” and IVE’s hit song “I AM”. Online discussions quickly escalated into accusations of plagiarism, with some listeners claiming the songs shared a similar emotional buildup and overall vibe.

Now, nearly a year later, Jang Wonyoung has personally addressed the controversy for the first time.

During a recent interview with Esquire Korea, the idol was asked if she had watched KPop Demon Hunters. Wonyoung confirmed that she had seen the film before being asked about the ongoing comparisons between the two songs.

Rather than dismiss the argument entirely, the IVE member candidly admitted that she too noticed similarities when she first heard “Golden.”

“Uh… this is actually the first time I’ve said this, but when I heard ‘Golden’, it reminded me of our song ‘I AM’. I was the only one who thought and felt this way, and this is the first time I said it out loud myself. But when people around me kept mentioning it too, I realized that many people felt the same way.”

His honest response immediately sparked heated reactions in online communities and social media platforms, where debates over the alleged similarities resurfaced once again.

While many fans agreed with Wonyoung’s comments and continued to accuse the film’s musical team of copying elements from “I AM,” others defended “Golden,” arguing that similarities between pop songs are common within the genre and do not necessarily indicate plagiarism.

Despite the controversy, both songs remain a huge success. “I AM” became one of IVE’s signature hits, while “Golden” emerged as one of KPop Demon Hunters’ standout songs, contributing to the film’s worldwide popularity and award recognition.

As discussions continue to spread online, Wonyoung’s remarks have once again put a spotlight on the fine line between musical inspiration and plagiarism in the global pop industry.

Sources: X

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