Wanna One’s Comeback Teaser Accused Of Copying “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”, Agency Responds

“I’m sad to think that their managers felt the need to borrow so flagrantly from Hedwig without attribution and flatten the myth.”

Wanna One has recently released a series of teasers for their upcoming album “1¹¹=1(POWER OF DESTINY)”, which will be released on November 19.

 

The new album concept seems to revolve around the theme of destiny.

 

The concept of “the origin of love” was used as well.

 

The latest released video also reveals an intriguing astronomical theme.

 

After the release of these teasers, director and actor of the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch, John Cameron Mitchell, shared a post on his Instagram expressing his thoughts about Wanna One’s concept, claiming that they had used Hedwig’s imagery and the song title “The Origin of Love”.

“Thoughts on Kpop band @wannaone.official’s use of #hedwigandtheangryinch/Platonist/Taoist imagery as well as @stephentrask’s song title #theoriginoflove. An ancient myth is certainly fair game to use as a metaphor for a band and its caring fans coming together but I’m sad to think that their managers felt the need to borrow so flagrantly from Hedwig without attribution and flatten the myth (much like my face in this video).”

 

In response to accusations, Wanna One’s agency has issued an official statement stating that there are no issues with Wanna One’s comeback concept in terms of copyright matters.

“Wanna One’s concept teaser was produced using the concept of the origin of love from Plato’s ‘Symposium’.  The symbols were also produced based on this concept using elements from destiny, binary numbers and infinity. During the review process, we came up with the ‘idea’ gaining inspiration from the values that humankind must share based on the philosophical concept of the origin of love and therefore, we have confirmed that it does not pose as an issue in terms of copyright matters.” ㅡ Wanna One’s Agency

 

The concluded by stating that although various interpretations of the origin of love exist, they also respect John Cameron Mitchell’s opinion.

“This concept became well-known through the song called “The Origin of Love”, which was used in the musical/movie Hedwig. Because various interpretations of the concept of the origin of love exist, we respect the opinion of Hedwig‘s creator, John Cameron Mitchell.”

Source: News1

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