K-Pop Idol IU Criticized For ‘Chat-Shire’ Album – In Trouble For Using Britney Spears’ Voice And Child Abuse Lyrics

Usually in K-pop, main group acts receive the most attention compared to others. Simply ask a K-pop fan who their favorite acts are and most of the time they’ll mention a group act such as APink, Super Junior, Big Bang, 2NE1, Red Velvet, EXO, BTS, Sistar, or the like. Very rarely will they state a subgroup or solo artist, given the fact most have branched off from a group act. Even Taeyeon, whose budding solo career is getting a lot of attention, is constantly linked to the fact she is the leader of So Nyeo Shi Dae (known more commonly as Girls’ Generation).

Very rarely will a solo act from the ground up be as popular as group acts, but there are success stories every now and then. Ailee and PSY are great examples. Presently, IU is in the limelight for the release of her latest album, Chat-Shire. Unfortunately, that limelight turned into an interrogation spotlight as IU’s new album is heavily criticized for supposedly using Britney Spears’ voice without her permission and controversial lyrics on child abuse.

Starting with the supposed use of Britney Spears’ voice without her permission, Korea Times reports that a fan of Spears posted on an online community forum that IU sampled Spears’ voice from the chorus of her song, “Gimme More,” in “Twenty-Three,” the title track of Chat-Shire. Apparently, the fan claims that the part of the song that goes, “keep on rocking,” Spears’ voice can allegedly be heard in the background.

For reference, both music videos of the two songs can be viewed below. “Twenty-Three” by IU is featured first, followed by “Gimme More” by Britney Spears.

Right now, Loen Tree (IU’s label) and Jive Records (Britney Spears’ label) are working out the details, trying to figure out how this incident came to be.

Unfortunately for IU, the aforementioned situation with Britney Spears is not the only issue with Chat-Shire. According to KpopStarz, IU wrote the lyrics for her song, “Zezé,” a song centered on the character of the same name from the novel, My Sweet Orange Tree. However, said song was interpreted in a way in which critics and fans thought IU was singing about child abuse. Apparently, many who listened to the song were disappointed, which prompted IU to apologize on her official Facebook page.

“I have recently become aware of all the opinions surrounding my song lyrics and it took a while before I mustered up the courage to post this. Sorry for taking so long. I deeply apologize for those who were hurt by my lyrics.”

It should be noted that IU is somewhat inexperienced as a songwriter thus far in her career. This can be seen in the follow-up to her apology, as she explains her side of the situation.

“‘My Orange Tree’ is a book I really cherish. I swear that I did not write those lyrics with the intent to sexually objectify a 5-year-old boy. The Zeze in the lyrics was only borrowed from the story as a 3rd person observer. However, I realize that many were made uncomfortable by my lyrics and I became aware that many were hurt by that. This is because I am inexperienced as a songwriter.”

IU also apologized for the situation pertaining to her song, “Twenty-Three.” To be fair, such mistakes probably won’t kill her career given the fact it is her first time writing and producing her own album. It also helps that she did apologize to all parties who were hurt or disappointed. Such mistakes, however, are less likely to be forgiven a second time.

[Image via Leon Tree]