BTS chart-dominating “Swim” from their ARIRANG album this year, you might want to sit down for this one.
What started as a feel-good global smash debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and racking up hundreds of millions of streams has plunged into a messy, multi-million-dollar copyright battle that’s got the entire industry buzzing.
Three Los Angeles-based songwriters Steve Cooper, Jon Sandler, and Greylyn Johnson filed suit on July 8 in California federal court against HYBE, HYBE America, Big Hit Music, and credited songwriters including Ryan Tedder. They claim BTS’s hit lifts heavily from their unreleased 2025 demo of the same name: the title hook, melodic lines, harmonies, rhythms, textures, and even lyrical phrasing. A musicologist they hired, Alexander Stewart (who’s testified in big cases like Ed Sheeran’s), called the similarities “obvious and inescapable.”
The plaintiffs say their demo circulated in industry circles starting March 2025, reaching people connected to the BTS track. They tried settling privately first but ended up in court, seeking damages, credits, and to halt further exploitation of the song. Big Hit pushes back hard. On July 10, the label called the claims “unilateral and unsubstantiated,” insisting “Swim” is an independent, original creation and promising a vigorous legal defense. Notably, no BTS members are named as defendants only the company and some co-writers (RM is credited on the track but not sued).
As a longtime K-pop watcher who’s covered everything from comeback anticipation to fan ARMY activism, this hits close to home. I remember the pure joy when “Swim” dropped those uplifting vibes, the production polish that made it feel both fresh and familiar. But familiarity is exactly what fuels these disputes. Music copyright has always been tricky; subconscious influence happens, especially in a hyper-collaborative, global industry where demos float around constantly.
Industry veterans I’ve spoken with (off-record for now) point out that cases like this test the thin line between inspiration and copying. One veteran producer told me, “In today’s streaming era, with AI tools and reference tracks everywhere, labels need ironclad clearance processes more than ever. A loss here could chill creativity or spark more aggressive lawsuits.”
What’s next? Expect motions to dismiss, possible expert battles in court, and plenty of fan debates online. HYBE’s track record of protecting their artists suggests this won’t go down quietly. For ARMY and music lovers, it’s a reminder: behind the glitter and hooks, the business side can get complicated fast.
Watch MV:
