AI Penned Hit KPop Song Stirs Controversy

If you've been anywhere online recently, you've likely heard of the Netflix sensation KPop Demon Hunters. The movie's catchy tracks, like "Soda Pop" and "Golden," have become inescapable. However, a recent controversy has fans questioning the origin of one of its biggest hits.

The debate centers around claims that the songwriter known as Vince, who co-wrote the infectious "Soda Pop," used ChatGPT to assist in the creative process.

The Source of the AI Rumor

The controversy began with a since-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter) from Sherwin Wu, the head of engineering at OpenAI. Wu alleged that during the OpenAI Korea office opening, Vince mentioned using ChatGPT to help with the lyrics for "Soda Pop."

Though the post was quickly removed, a user on Reddit managed to capture a screenshot, ensuring the claim would not disappear. This screenshot sparked a widespread discussion among fans about the role of artificial intelligence in music creation.

The Songwriter's Side of the Story

While Wu's post made a bold claim, Vince's own account of the song's creation tells a different story. In an interview with Korea JooAng Daily, Vince explained that the song originated long before the movie or even the widespread use of ChatGPT.

"It was literally just a guitar sketch that I did in my own room seven or eight years ago," he stated. He added that the demo, originally titled "Ice Cream," was later developed into "Soda Pop" after a colleague requested something with a bright feel. This timeline suggests the core of the song was created by human hands years ago.

Adding another layer, a separate Korean news outlet reported that Vince acknowledged that he and other musicians sometimes use ChatGPT for inspiration. This is a significant distinction from using AI to write actual lyrics, suggesting its role might have been for brainstorming rather than direct composition.

Fan Reactions and Thematic Irony

Fan reactions to the news have been mixed, but many point out an interesting irony. On the Reddit thread discussing the tweet, one user commented, "TBH, ‘Soda Pop’ was canonically meant to be soulless and generic. So, learning it was AI isn’t too surprising.”

This sentiment was echoed by others, with another user writing, "Unpopular opinion but the song is giving AI/soulless lol." In the context of the film, where the K-Pop group Saja Boys are literally soulless demons, the idea that their hit song was assisted by a non-human entity fits the narrative perfectly.

Ultimately, whether Vince used ChatGPT for a few ideas or not at all, the controversy highlights a growing trend of AI as a tool in creative fields. While Sherwin Wu has yet to clarify his deleted post, the debate has added a fascinating new layer to the lore of KPop Demon Hunters. Many creators are already using AI for brainstorming, and if Vince did, he certainly won't be the last.