Japanese indie band Super Mountaineers has officially acknowledged similarities between their music and the late Kim Kwang-seok's beloved classic, deciding to halt activities in response to the controversy.

Acknowledgment and Apology

On October 1, the band posted on YouTube: "Many people have pointed out that our song resembles Kim Kwang-seok's Where the Wind Blows (1994). We were unaware of the song during composition, but now realize how deeply cherished Kim Kwang-seok and his music are to Korean fans."

The band confirmed that they will withdraw their latest track Sanbo and delete its music video along with other related content. Their apology statement will also be taken down 24 hours later.

They continued, "We sincerely apologize to everyone who felt uncomfortable because of this incident, as well as to the fans and those affected. We are truly sorry for causing concern."

The Plagiarism Controversy

Super Mountaineers released Sanbo on September 10. However, following the music video release, comments quickly raised suspicions of plagiarism, citing strong similarities to Where the Wind Blows.

At the time, the band attempted to clarify, stating, "Regretfully, we did not know the original song when creating ours. The melody was inspired by imagery of walking through mountains."

Moving Forward With Respect

The group concluded, "This incident introduced us to one of Korea's great masterpieces. We will carry deep respect for Kim Kwang-seok's music in our hearts and approach our creative process with greater care in the future."

Kim Kwang-seok remains one of Korea's most iconic singer-songwriters, with Where the Wind Blows regarded as a timeless anthem symbolizing hope and nostalgia.