Singer G-Dragon (real name Kwon Jiyong) and Yang Hyun Suk, executive producer at YG Entertainment, are under police investigation for alleged copyright violation.
The Seoul Mapo Police Station launched the inquiry following a complaint filed last November by a composer. The composer accuses G-Dragon and Yang Hyun-suk of copying his song without permission, changing its title, and releasing it as part of an album in April 2009.
He claims that the song he originally composed was used without his consent, which constitutes a breach of copyright law.
The police have since questioned several individuals connected to the case and conducted two raids, one at YG Entertainment’s headquarters and another at the Korea Music Copyright Association. During these searches, relevant materials and documents were seized to aid the ongoing investigation.
Despite these developments, YG Entertainment has denied all allegations of unauthorized copying. A company representative explained that the controversy arose due to confusion over a concert setlist during G-Dragon’s 2009 solo performance.
According to the official statement on August 13, two songs with the same titles were listed, which may have led to misunderstandings. YG insists this was not a case of copying or reproducing any song without permission and emphasizes that no album tracks were involved in the dispute.
The investigation remains open as authorities continue gathering evidence and interviewing those involved.
Neither G-Dragon nor Yang Hyun Suk has been publicly charged, and YG Entertainment maintains its position that no copyright laws were violated. The company vows full cooperation with the police and is committed to resolving the matter transparently.
Meanwhile, G-Dragon will begin his North American leg of world tour, Übermensch, in Newark on August 22-23. He will hold concerts in Las Vegas (August 30) and LA (September 5-7) before concluding in Paris on September 20.
On the other hand, Yang Hyun Suk received a six-month suspended sentence and a year of probation for forcing an ex-trainee to lie in a drug probe linked to former iKON member B.I.