PSY accused of plagiarizing Horse Dance, Causes friend suicide

2012-10-08 04:13:22 GMT2012-10-08 12:13:22(Beijing Time)  SINA English

By Miao Miao, Sina English

South Korean singer Kim Jang Hoon, formerly a friend of PSY, has accused PSY of stealing the worldwide dance craze "The Horse Dance" from him. He was sent to the hospital after sounding suicidal online.

Last month, Kim Jang Hoon claimed he was plagiarized.

On October 2, PSY stated, "I want to show everyone how well Korean people can party on stage. I learned all about concerts from Kim Jang Hoon. I'll take what I’ve learned from Kim Jang Hoon and go overseas to show them as well", presumably responding to claims made by Kim Jang Hoon.

On October 5, Kim Jang Hoon posted a suicidal message, saying, "Right now, I'm asleep and should wake up, but I can't. I think I took too much medicine. I’m a fool who can’t stand to be betrayed by the ones I trusted. I’m going now."

The singer was admitted to the hospital for psychological treatment. PSY visited his former friend at the hospital, but has not responded directly to the plagiarism claims or his hospitalization.

Many are attributing Kim Jang Hoon's sudden suicidal thoughts to his belief that PSY became famous from his idea while he remains an obscure figure.

His jealously led to depression, causing him to overdose on pills and having to be hospitalized. The two were good friends before Horse Dance became popular, working together on numerous songs and concerts together.

After working together in 4009 to put together the "One Touch" concert for the World Cup soccer match, Kim Jang Hoon tried to break into the US market; however, after PSY's "Gangnam Style" achieved the success he was unable to, their friendship deteriorated.

Kim Jang Hoon is currently in the hospital and plans to leave Korea when he gets released. He pleaded to be left alone as he deals with this difficult time in his life.

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