Objective Explanation On ARMY's Issue Against Melanie Fontana: Did Melanie Steal Credit From BTS?

[@meemac4709]

I am a new Army but I also noticed Montana's youtube posts about her claiming as the writer of Euphoria and BWL. I felt curious because i learned in an interview with Big Heat CEO #BangPD said that all the 7 BTS are greatly involve in the creation process, including in the choice of projects. #RM also said in an interview everyone in BTS has their own tasks like him, Suga and #Jhope either writes or do rewrites of their songs and melodies; the tripple Js ensure that all the dance choreographies are well executed or revised, if needed, in accordance to their standard which is so high level. In one videos, #Suga was assuring RM in one of their intimate conversations regrading to one of their songs that the life of the song will have depend on how the vocal team will bring it into life and said RM, "Just give it to them. For sure, they will deliver what is in our mind or even better." They were referring to #Jin, #V, #JK and #Jimin because the next clip was the four trying to gtasp the song and figure out how to interpret it . So I immediately verified Montana's claim by research and the records show that Montana was not the sole writer of the Euphoria and BWL, instead, it appears that she is actually a collab-writer of the said songs. And yet, records seemed to state that she had either sold her song to BH without first copywriting it in her name or that she was commissioned to write songs for BTS. Once you sold your artistic work without copywriting it first or commissioned to do the same, it is inappropriate, if not illegal, to claim that the song is your own work. If that is the case, then it was so respectful of BigHeat to give Montana the courtesy by giving her credits of the songs as one of the collab-writers. If such was the case, I remember in Permission to Dance, Ed Sheetan did not claim to be the writer of the song, until Big Heat and BTS announced it. Same in Make it Right, his participation as collab-writer was not known, until BigHeat and BTS announced the same. See the difference? After this fracas, it might be goodbye for Milanie F and BTS. Milanie did not do her research well before working with BTS that to greedy people, "the Karma is BTS Army." So is Milanie wanting to be the next J. Derulo in Savage Love? One thing is clear about BTS, and thus the endearing love and support of its Army, they don't like working with greedy people. And, the enadearing love and support of the Army is because they take pride in the BTS' endurance and faith in their mission to spread love, self-love, self-respect, the recoginition of individuality and differences and embracing them in a positive way. The 7 BTS guys are hardworking artists and, individually, they are fair and good people and yet they take pride in hardwork. Over the years, the 7 of them have grown up and became emotionally and intellectually intelligent artists which keep them grounded. And, BTS and Big Heat do not like greed or any cousins to greed. As Suga has always emphasized that BTS producing music is not all about the record sales, streams, fame and awards, it's more of simply about making good music that can touch the human heart.

[@HeatherQuinn]

From an American pov, Melanie is using old time colonialistic tricks to steal value from another culture's artists. Her purpose is blatant. She thinks physical distance will protect her. That's why she was irate when Armys intervened, and she tried to clap back at them. She is outright wrong. It's offensive to me that an American artist is so craven and greedy that she would use this discredited strategy. She insults our humanism. Thanks for your video. 💜🐋💜

[@rosieg6432]

Exactly. It’s gross to see Americans still acting like this. Where is the humanity?

[@positivityitsbest4188]

Exactly.

[@akita41]

Im American too and I feel disgusted by this. BTS deserves so much better from EVERYONE. They are talented and hard working. The fact that Americans are ok with her and her people, basically STEALING from BTS makes me sick. She WOULD NEVER do this to Beyonce or Taylor Swift.

[@akita41]

@lyn holin I never said Americans are ok with this...most of us, those that know about this, don't like it and think it is disrespectful to BTS and anyone else that has their hard work stolen. If you read MOST of the comments, they say "Americans" sooooo, Im not singling anyone out. And most Americans are different Races and coltures, so how is saying AMERICAN racists? Being American is not a race its where I live. Saying someone from Ireland is Irish, is that racist? or is that just saying where they are from?

[@annarobrigado7196]

oh my my my... that was what i wanted to point out. sounded colonial alright.

[@positivityitsbest4188]

Namjoon gave us an honest opinion of his experiences in the process of composing and finishing the process of BOY With LOVE music. Likewise, Adora & Halsey are co-creator but gave much of the credit back to BTS... Simply, be ACCURATE in you claim, Melanie.

[@beyondthescene0613]

Personally, I have no respect for Melanie or her husband as both are very problematic. This obviously isn't the first time she's pulled this stunt and unfortunately it won't be the last. It all started with Euphoria, her claiming the song as solely hers, when clearly it was a collaborative team effort of everyone involved. I'm not saying that she didn't help with the songs, she did and no one can take that away from her. The problem I have is her making it seem like her contribution is bigger than what it actually is and her 'me, myself and I' agenda she has going on. Not to mention her trashy attitude, when Sulli of F(x) had unfortunately passed away, and Melanie proceeded to make her passing about herself. Literally bragging about how F(x) was the first K-pop group she ever wrote a song for then offering condolences afterwards. How can you use someone's death as a stepping stone for your achievements? Absolute disgrace of a human being... BTS have proven, time and time again, that they are amazing and very capable musicians who can stand on their own two feet. And yet, despite all of the achievements, high praise/acclaims, records etc... They're still treated as a fad and not taken seriously. Obviously due to the stereotypes and stigma surrounding boybands and K-pop in general, but also blatant xenophobia as well as the colonizing western mindset that a POC can't be successful in the western market without the help of a westerner, specifically a white one. And Melanie is feeding into that narrative by what she's doing. Point being, I hope BigHit drops her soon or when her contract is over. This is going to keep happening until they get rid of her. BTS work way too hard for this, they didn't need her then and they certainly don't need her now. Just my two cents...

[@positivityitsbest4188]

I'm really hoping Big Hit will not get her services anymore.

[@evatoth7778]

Very well said! It is so TRUE!

[@wasekaislam4450]

Is there really a contract type thing for this kind of work too? Is that why they can't get rid of her? I would really really like to know more about that bc i can't seem to understand why bighit still lets her work with them. I mean they have to know by now that nobody here wants her anymore

[@mari.27]

She is nothing for army, she did nothing important for army. She's just a trash for army.

[@eileencritchley4630]

@@wasekaislam4450 Coming from the UK we have laws and that woman would have been removed from her position with her contract being terminated due to copyright issues and the problems that could bring to the company. Get rid of her asap.

[@namu7868]

The thing is she has worked with western artist. When there was on article on IG for Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa where she worked on one of the song(again co-writer I think) she gave credit to everyone who worked on it which is very different attitude from when she is working with poc artists She tried to take credit for the background vocals in TXT's Puma which are by Adora not her When the tragedy about one of f(x)'s members tragedy came out Melanie made it about herself! completely dismissing the real tragedy She has also made very racist remarks towards black people and brown people and send death threats to people over nothing In general she is a very bad and selfish person

[@positivityitsbest4188]

I love the way you end your thoughts: If MELANIE was writing for someone like BEYONCE, will she be able to ASSERT her OWNERSHIP the way she is doing it with BTS? Thank you for your sharing your insights.

[@laylascott6096]

positivity itsbest that’s actually a really good point

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

oh thank you. that last part hurt when i said it. It's a reminder to me that Asian's attitude of gratitude and humility is very much taken advantage of here in the U.S. and it's so second nature to them that they are not even aware they are doing it.

[@positivityitsbest4188]

What are your thoughts on, why would Melanie venture WITH K-pop groups but not totally respecting them in return? There are many instances that will prove this pov.

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

@@positivityitsbest4188 I think 1) it's culturally inherent to her. Western Artists are very much about 'individuality' and ownership. that's not, by nature, wrong. i am an artist myself. our creations are like our babies, children. that's our emotions in there. that is us in our most vulnerable. *it becomes wrong when it UNDERMINES the ownership of other artists who put just as much IF NOT MORE emotions in there.* this is what she is doing. curiously, she is only doing it to BTS. i think it's partly because the media also ONLY BITES WHEN IT IS BTS. MAYBE she attempted to do it in the past with other groups but the media didn't pay much attention. That's just a theory. I think i also saw her post about co-writing a Britney song, maybe. But it is known fact here that Britney doesn't write her own songs. So, it wasn't anything shocking. So, she didn't get a lot of attention for that. 2) this is work for her. this is what she does for a living. in the U.S., work is work and you take care of your own interest first and foremost. her interest is to establish a name for herself as a composer. again, that's not, by nature, wrong. i mean, we're all just trying to make a living, right? FROM HER POINT OF VIEW, she is not necessarily disrespecting Kpop artists she is working with. she's is just doing her job and doing herself a service. So, from her point of view, she means it when she says and thinks she is not doing anything wrong. that boils down to culture, again. To Asians, we are very careful about that because humility is very inherent in our culture. We prefer that others recognize us without us having to beat our own drums. We also are very compassionate to the point where we often put the interest of others above ours. to us, for as long as we are ok, surviving, healthy, that's all we need. so it clashes with her attitude. 3) What I am concerned about is that after so many years of working with Asians, she has not gone out of her way to understand our culture. her husband said "different people celebrate their success different ways". My initial thoughts were 'Yes and in our culture, the way you are doing it is wrong. So whose interest takes precedent?' we have respected the way she was 'celebrating her victories' for so long. the one time ARMY asked her to back off, she couldn't bring herself to do it. that i think IS VERY VERY SELFISH, DISRESPECTFUL, and ARROGANT. it has to be two ways. she's had her chance to shine. She should have given this round to Taehyung. Also, she should make an effort to understand Asian culture. 4) I do want to note that all of BTS western collaborators DIDN'T ESTABLISH OWNERSHIP AS STRONGLY AS SHE DID. Maybe they didn't have a manager like Justin Garza that could given them the media attention Melanie was getting but then again, there is Max, Halsey and Lauv. those three did a media round and continue to have the opportunity to talk about part in their work with BTS. but they are always so ACCURATE in their description of their roles. NONE OF THEM ever said "my song". All of them would always say 'my part in the song'. So, it's not also entirely correct to just say it's Western culture. if these artists manage to be accurate and they are Western, then it's not their culture. *IT'S ALL ABOUT A PERSON'S CHARACTER.* I am sorry for giving such a long answer to your one-line question. I got carried away. Don't pay attention to me. LOL

[@silviag3798]

@@AsianEntertainmentandCulture even in the West, it's frowned upon to claim credit for something you didn't do. And in the case of intellectual property like a song, claiming credit for it can bring legal and financial considerations into play, so unless Melanie can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the entire song was 100% her creation with no other input, she should be very very careful about what she claims over it. What she is doing is questionable in any context, west or east.

[@abante72]

This woman is problematic. No one has said she didn't contribute to the song. But in magazine and TV interviews she makes it seem like she wrote the whole song. She is actually only credited in the chorus which is, "Oh my, my, my"...When Boy With Luv broke the record for most viewed music video in 24 hrs, she posted a picture celebrating this accomplishment as if it were her own. ARMY'S didn't stream the video because Melanie wrote Oh my, my, my. They watched to video because they wanted to support BTS. The fact that magazines were making it seem like she was the messiah and saved BTS songs. Relegating BTS to a mere fabricated boy band with no artistry who didn't write and produce their own songs. Shame on you!

[@Rex_426]

You should look into how opera is translated. Translating opera is quite a unique job. These people are paid to translate, just like Melanie was, but they aren’t going around telling everyone the wrote la traviata or la boheme. They’re credit for the translation after the librettist who is credited after composer but at the end of the day, the work still belongs to the original composer and librettist. She’s out of line, she’s unprofessional and I hope BH and BTS never work with her again.

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

That's a great example! I wish I thought of that before I made this video.

[@Rex_426]

Asian Entertainment and Culture no problem at all! Not a lot of people know about this for opera but I work in the opera world so it’s the first thing that popped into my head when I first read about it on Twitter. Also wanted to say (because I forgot) that I really like your channel and I really liked this video 💜

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

@@Rex_426 Woah! are you an opera singer? I feel so intimidated whenever I watch an opera. I feel like I am watching so... sophisticated. and thank you 😊

[@dewmountain8104]

All big artists have a team of co writers who help them with their songs, like Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa, and many other big name artists! But I have NEVER seen any of there co-writers claim a song as there own and call it “my song”. Like imagine one of JB’s co writers saying oh look he’s performing my song! This never happens and she would never dare do it to an American artist! What he’s doing here is purely racist! She’s taking advantage of the fact that BTS are Korean and that they won’t realize what’s going on! Terrible behaviour! I remember even Ed Sheehan wrote a song for One Direction but he never claimed it as his own! This person has issues.

[@Always4Bangtan]

Ed Sheeran wrote a song for BTS, too, and no, he didn't call it his own. 💜

[@dewmountain8104]

lyn holin Jeez she really should know better than to mess with BTS and Army.

[@meawatymeawaty9838]

RIGHT OWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE DONT UNDERESTIMATE ASIANS.........PLEASE BE FAIR AND HONEST. BTS WORKED SO HARD TO BE HERE THEY ARE NOW........... LOOK FROM 2013 TO 2016 PROVEN THEY ARE TALENTED.

[@ot7army443]

Honestly i only hope this Melanie thing Never gonna work with BTS again.. I dont even know her but i already cant see her face. This is the first time ever i feel this for any person.

[@regardstoall9667]

Liked your very balanced comments, logical and not emotional... I think ultimately it was the way that she's saying things rather than what she had actually said.

[@Always4Bangtan]

I agree. And it's also a pattern of behavior. She hasn't spoken in this way once, or even twice, but a few different times, which makes it even more of a problem.

[@Always4Bangtan]

Thank you so much for this video. You did a fine job of breaking everything down, with support, while avoiding being hateful. I respect that a great deal. As a Westerner myself, I'm so sorry that these values seem to be what we transmit out into the world. I do believe in the value of the individual, but I grew up in a close-knit family who have always been present and supportive in each other's lives, and have made many sacrifices for one another. Many, many of the people I know personally live in the same way, so it saddens me that we have failed to present that balance on a larger scale. With Melanie, I have no idea how deep the roots of her behavior go, but it's clear that at the very least she has been more than willing to take advantage of Western media's blind spot when it comes to BTS. (Which I would argue is likely a mix of both the simpler motivations of ignorance & arrogance, as well as more malignant xenophobia. There are many articles and interviews that come simply from a more Western-centric angle - still unacceptable - but then you have articles like the one from the Hollywood Reporter last fall which danced right into outright bigotry & xenophobia, not to mention laziness.) I like that you mentioned her manager's likely role in the press she gets - some of this depends on the kind of coverage he seeks out for her. Of course, it's the WAY she's willing to use that press that seems to be the problem. She could use the opportunities to promote herself AND BTS, but that's not really what she does. You articulated the 'how's' of that very well. And I think you hit the crux of the matter when you pointed out that she couldn't do that with big Western names. First, because she wouldn't get the focus in the same way, and second, because most of Western media has remained unaware of BTS's involvement in their own music, while the way most Western artists produce is common knowledge (a result of more laziness & condescension as far as I'm concerned). That is what ultimately speaks to the heart of the issue, though: She seems to be taking advantage of her collaborations with BTS in places where they are vulnerable. And THAT is particularly abhorrent. One could argue that the bigger names who've written with & for BTS (Halsey, Troye Sivan, Lauv, Ed Sheeran, etc.) don't need the press in the same way she does, but then you have people like Candace Sosa (who I believe wrote the original version of Euphoria) and DJ Swivel (and a new name I saw frequently in the MOTS: 7 album, Antonina Armato, although we haven't heard from her yet) who have somehow managed to speak about BTS respectfully & collaboratively as well. My final note is simply that on the flip side of all of this, the hate that ARMY was throwing out on Twitter is something I find absolutely unacceptable. I find myself frequently frustrated by the fact that many of us in today's world do not understand that speaking up about someone's wrong behavior is different than trashing that person, (as hard as that instinct can be to fight). And I feel so strongly that we just undermine our own very valid points and arguments when we do that. I am endlessly grateful to the ARMYs like yourself who work hard to avoid that road. Thank you. I think it honors the boys in the way they deserve. Well... This is.. ridiculously long. Apparently I've thought about this a lot.. Again, thank you so much. 💜

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

Hi. I appreciate your thoughts very much. Am also flattered (however self serving that may be) that I managed to be a part, no matter how small, of the things that encouraged you to speak up. First, if I seem to be bashing Western culture, I apologize. I live here too. The mere fact I made a choice to live here means I, in some level, allow the culture to thrive. Bashing so much of it would be a little hypocritical. Although it's natural for anyone to criticize even their core, I do not mean to appear like I am above it. Again, I made a direct decision to be here. That's saying a lot. Second, I do not think the act of 'ownership' or the guts to establish ownership is, by nature, wrong. She was part of the team that created that art. She has some right to it. That confidence in her ownership, I mostly see that in the West. Frankly, I like that. I think the world can use more of that. *BUT when she impedes on the ownership of other artist, that is her choice and her character. I work with many Caucasians.* Many of them are kind, considerate, honest, and just. So, I refuse to believe that credit grabbing or whatever we may want to call her behavior is because of culture. I think that's her. She made the choice to do the things she is doing. She made the choice not to understand Asian culture. She made the choice to exaggerate her role in the creation of the songs. She made the choice to rage war agains the fandom that FINANCES (sorry to be blunt but it's the truth) everything the songs she help create achieved. Third, I do not condone bullying but the anger of ARMY was justified. It is not as if they didn't try to call her attention before. Many have tried, she never listened. And just like anyone who are being pushed to their limits, ARMY snapped. No one was listening when they were speaking calmly. And they tried so many times. What else can they do? Like any other great change in the world, force has to be exerted for people to listen. They tried to talk to her calmly and she continued doing what she was doing. When ARMY snapped suddenly they are the ones doing something wrong? When ARMY first tried to call her attention or first tried to speak out, she didn't pay attention. Media didn't pay attention. They are still not paying attention. And it is not as if ARMY is ganging up on a helpless individual. She has the power of the US press behind her, evidently. She even dangled her direct connection to BTS and Big Hit. Did some of the ARMY go overboard? Yes. Absolutely. Some went overboard. SOME. But you can't expect everyone to come out of a war unscathed. You push someone to their limits, expect them to fight back. HARD. To this day, many still perceive the ARMY as a bunch of teen girls who are obsessed with 7 boys. I mean, really? BTS may have been the torch ARMY is carrying but they are burning thousands of years of discrimination against Asian artists... against Asians in general. So the issue is much much bigger than what it appears to be. And WHEN ARMY succeeds in this fight, it's not just BTS that will benefit. The many other artists will follow and they will all benefit. *okay, I am not saying this AGAINST YOU. I am not calling you out. I am just having a conversation WITH YOU in the hopes others will hear it*. Hopefully, others will join in towards a PROGRESSIVE CONVERSATION and, hopefully, ACTION. I chose to reply to you because I know that you understand what I am saying. We are both living here and fully understand how the media works and how the industry works, the nuances of these dang industry and everything connected to it. It is also obvious you are pissed at how many westerners are treating BTS and ARMY. Those are the reasons i chose to express all these by replying to you. Apparently, I also need to vent. LOL

[@Always4Bangtan]

@@AsianEntertainmentandCulture Thank you so much for responding! Absolutely no apologies necessary, and I welcome the chance for conversation - clearly ;). I don't have time to write a response now, but I'll be back, because I really appreciate everything you said here. Thank you again! 💜

[@justmochithings8800]

@@Always4Bangtan wow, i cant believe I read all that... :) i cant agree more!!!

[@0611suki]

You are so calm and clear in yr explaination.🙏🏼 i really Like yr energy💜. Tq

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

Thank you! Borahae 💜

[@sasori7833]

I like that you analyse it with both way of thinking along eastern and western' s prism culture, that helps so much more to understand that kind of behaviour and that's the best way not to fight for nothing. Let's try to understand the others culture and discuss then with knowing their way of thinking to be able to dialogue. Even if that western woman seems to be quite greedy, ignorant and ridiculous in my western point of view.. In Asia, Idols belong to thier fandoms, so yes, BTS is protected by ARMY and they nedd to, because that's the way Idols feel in Asia and Fans too.

[@pinkyyaksok]

Even if we forget about her taking all the credit, she and her husband were rude and combative with the fans. That's what bothers me more.

[@darlenevanwinkle8895]

Nicely put, and I do give her some credit for having a part. But her, her husband and manager need to re-word it in the future. And right now she needs to make a statement clarifying what she did. (Translation, actual development, etc.) If not I see this as biting the hand that feeds, and others are not going to want to work w/ her.

[@sharonnelson3713]

I’m finding more of your contents and I’m so glad I watched this today because when I found BTS only 2 years ago I did read some controversy with her claiming more than what she actually contributed and army’s issue with her and in my opinion down right lying about her contribution to BTS songs. Your explanation was totally helpful and you are quite humorous. Now since she has claimed “my song, my song” has she ever claimed she is the actual singer of the songs rather than the artists that did sing them?

[@ilovethemgiraffes]

Thank you for this!!! I hope someone can show this to Melanie Fontana so they can understand where so many armys are coming from

[@phoebetae675]

I just would like bts don`t work with her any more. because just her name in list of credits triggered too many armys, its endless nervous tension. ❥thanks for your calm and objective reaction and explanation,❥ I personaly can not be like that ;( at first, situation with her and her words was ridiculous and facepalming, but its enough...

[@violet-purple4250]

Just hers?

[@phoebetae675]

@@violet-purple4250 no, her husband as well

[@violet-purple4250]

@@phoebetae675 whatttt

[@antaramahanty1020]

no wonder they want to make a self-produced album .........XD. (not my original comment)

[@Misfitdruid]

I really appreciate your calm delivery and analysis of the situation. I'd dismissed the issue almost immediately myself. I figured that if this songwriter crossed any kind of legal line, that Big Hit would take care of it and that if they don't like her attitude, they'll cut ties with her. There are A LOT of people that would like to work with BTS these days. I don't think her assistance is needed. Also, I think it speaks volumes that Big Hit did NOT use Melanie for BTS's first all-English song and THAT songwriter, (David Stewart & Jessica Agombar), have been very clear about the collaboration process and throwing credit to BTS for the song's success and they DID write the whole song.

[@corvinarae7644]

You're an absolute Darling. I feel like I was talking with a Friend 💜 I even went for an iced cofee and a toast to enjoy your video! Thank you for being amazing and objective. Brightest blessing in the light!!

[@evatoth7778]

Hello Fairlane, I just LOVE your accuracy in formulating your thoughts regarding issues generally! I found accidentally your channel and I really enjoyed the other ones too. I totally agree here that so many singers had co-writers and one would almost never hear about them but the singer is the one who is admired mainly for the performance. I actually have never seen any song writer to come out like she does without being invited and praised by the singer himself or herself. So, there is a certain attitude here from her side which makes her less likable. She actually would get more credit from ARMY if she would be more humble. Anyway, keep up your great work! Best wishes from an ARMY in Los Angeles.

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

Thank you! I know ARMY showers other co-creators with praise. I see ARMY still posts messages of gratitude to the co-creators. So you are right. Had she stayed humble, this would have been a totally different story.

[@rebeccasison3777]

Melanie riding on the coat tail of BTS, targeting on Taehyung because he is not very eloquent in speech but if you follow their reality show , Taehyung always did well in poetry writing, meaning he is a good lyricist

[@akita41]

My question is...if she is working with other Kpop groups, which some are just as famous as BTS, why is she not using their fame to get what she wants too? Why is it only BTS that she is using. I honestly didn't know what was going on except for what was on Twitter. I understand, being American that she wants people to know that she worked on their albums, BUT to be this selfish and then get upset when ARMY tries to point out facts? I' HAVE never even heard of her until now. She cowrote for all these Western Artist, but most of us don't know who she is. Its just another westerner trying to ride the coat tails of BTS's fame. I am saddened about how Western Media and the music industry treat BTS, they are talented men and deserve EVERYTHING they have earned, WITH OUT people trying to steal the lime light.

[@meawatymeawaty9838]

YES........... BEING ASIANS I FEEL WHAT YOU ALL ARE SAYING........ WE ARE ALWAYS BEING COMPROMISED AND PUSHED BACK AS IF WE ARE TALENTLESS AND NOBODY EXACTLY WHAT SHE DID..... SHE IS CO WRITE SHE CAN BE PROUD BUT ITS NOT HER SONG ENTIRELY. AND ALSO SHE SHOULD BE COMPASSIONATE ABOUT BTS ENGLISH IS NOT A MOTHER TOUNGE. SO TREAT N RESPECT THEM AS WE ARE ALL SHARING THIS EARTH AND PODIUM. WE ARE SYNERGY WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP THE WORLD. NOWSDAY MANY SELFISH LEADERS. POLITICIANS AND CITIZENS. SO HAVOC....... WHATS FOR ALL LOSES AT THE END. NO WIN PERMANENTLY... . SAD SAD SAD....... POOR BTS THEY HAVE SUCH A TOUGH LIFE SINCE DEBUTING THEY WERE HARM BY THEIR OWN KOREAN COMPETITOR. NOW THEY ARE HUGE THEY ARE BETRAYED BY THEIR PARTNERS....... PLEASE GOD HAVE MERCY ON ALL OF US...... . CRUEL WORLD..... LETS US ALL BE COMPASSIONATE AND FORGIVING AND POSITIVELY MOVE ON.

[@silviag3798]

Thanks for the explanation. I just got my copy of Map of the Soul 7, read the liner notes, and did not understand them at all, so I googled Ms. Fontana and your video came up. Your final point, about whether Ms. Fontana would actually get away with making this type of claim over any of the music she's worked on for Western artists, is bang on the money. As a Westerner myself, I feel reasonably confident to say that she would not get away with it, but it would depend on the artist involved. In any case, when RM says in his live that she was the composer for Boy with Luv, I understood that to mean she came up with the melody. However according to the liner notes, she's only credited with the chorus alongside JK. And then she gets a group credit with the rest of the producers. So, yeah, looks like she was a part of the team, but not solely responsible for it.. Her Wikipedia page mentions that her husband is also a producer who works with BTS. So, the song appears to have been a team effort all around. All that to say, I really hope that BTS start getting more of the credits in the liner notes of their own albums, because it's really obvious from what can be seen that they're doing a huge chunk of the creative work and take it seriously.

[@myblissfulneverneverland1230]

Thank you for this explanation. Best one out there. I will definitely try to translate Sweet Night in Tagalog and claim it as my own song, lol!

[@kathykathy4093]

Thank you for this. This is a very good explaination of what really happened and spoke on behalf of what the armys really think of and why armys hated her.

[@HeatherQuinn]

On a somewhat shallow level: Melanie's face looks selfish. She looks resentful + entitled. I resent seeing a woman behaving as she has been doing.

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

Base on experience, our perception of beauty is very much affected by the character of the person we look at. I can be totally frank and say there are a lot of people out there people call "average" or "ugly" physically but when I know those people personally and I know their character to be kind, caring, considerate, honest or just good in general, I simply find them beautiful and even wonder how could people find them average. Maybe, just maybe, since I will never know how you really feel, this is how you are experiencing her. From this point of view, it's not really shallow. It only goes to show that your perception of beauty is much deeper than you give yourself credit for. i am just theorizing, of course. only you know how you really feel. i am not trying to tell you what your emotions are. just theorizing and would fully accept it if you say i am wrong.

[@HeatherQuinn]

@@AsianEntertainmentandCulture Thank you for those thoughts. They align with the way I experience the world. Bless.

[@Sparkle.Dammit]

I didn't want to get caught up in the drama, so I stayed out of the loop on purpose. But I saw she was listed as a top ten bias producer, I wanted to know if she is a (female) producer worth following or getting inspiration from. So thank you for your objective and calm report on this matter. Borahae 💜

[@outrotear0613]

Melanie did say "our song" to Dua lipa's track which annoyed us even more.. 😒😒 Anyway thank u for this video, I enjoyed it alot💜💜💜

[@CooleyHighsmith]

It’s her disproportionate boasting that has made A.R.M.Y.s feel the need to tell her to pipe down and show some humility. The other contributors and producers aren’t so vociferous about their credits... because it’s inappropriate. And, no, translating someone else’s work does NOT allow you to claim it as your own. I do hope that Big Hit’s involvement with her becomes less and less. They don’t need this kind of foolishness.

[@nikkiayne5800]

I love how articulate and constructive you are with your videos :)

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

that's extremely flattering and motivational. Thank you!!!!!

[@joeco4806]

very well said... i like how you explain your case and back it up with facts... 💜💜💜

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

Thank you! 🤗.

[@zizziepisano1021]

Thank you very much, Asian Entertainment and Culture. Plain COMMON SENSE. Utter lack of professionalism Utter lack of understanding of the Asian culture - sensitivity Utter lack of respect of another culture/another country I can go on and on..... Thank you, ARMYs!

[@elenasosa3004]

Basically, Bighit should end their contractual relationship with them.

[@nneichan9353]

It does take a big effort to learn about and respect the differences in culture. Learning about cultures is an gesture of honoring all cultures. Applying Western culture to all other cultures is not a good action and it only confuses any issue. I was surprised to hear that despite V writing the song in Korean and sending it out she claimed credit for writing every word. Every English word. It sounds underhanded if that is the case.

[@holaCarolina]

Thank you for explaining this calmly. Melanie was wrong but I think that what hurt the most was that comment that immplied that BTS don't love ARMY. I think that was really what sealed the blind hate for her because so many of us feel love (some kind of love, i don't have the right word) for BTS and being told that you are not loved back hurts, even if it's not true. So thank you for being this level headed.

[@sugoi14]

Its really interesting with this translating lyrics because if she wrote the songs and RM translated them, she can look it up online anywhere to SEE what the lyrics are and see how much of the song they ACTUALLY used. It seems like to me they don't even care to check after the song is handed off and the world hears it. The part with V's songs being translated and the manager back tracking to correct himself makes me think as such. Do they even know what's going on? Why are you so confused? .....Its all very suspicious and interesting.

[@beany1944]

Thank you for your explanation. It make more sense to me to understand this issue.

[@lexica510]

Back in 2018, in the Billboard article "Western Songwriters Discuss Working on BTS' 'Love Yourself: Answer' Album" she described it a bit differently: "Melanie Fontana on Jungkook’s “Euphoria”: I wrote the chorus and parts of the bridge and some of the verses. We ended up making a lot of the changes. [DJ Swivel] brought me in when the song was partially finished and it needed some help. The song didn’t actually have a chorus, so I went in with him and worked. When I first heard the initial sketch, I thought that it could have a more explosive feeling. I thought the chorus could explode more with something chanty that not only the guys in the band could sing, but that people in the crowd could too. I added a bit more of a sing-along vibe. When I heard what the Korean lyricist did I just thought, “Wow, this song was meant for these guys.” I know Jungkook -- I’ve been such a fan of him, I never thought he’d be the one that sang it. But for me, I didn’t know it was going to be as big as it is. I love that they each have their moment to shine [on the album]."

[@estefif.3567]

Funny thing DJ Swivel doesn't mention her much on his ONE hour explanation on how the song was made.

[@zhixinli7826]

This shows that Melanie is trying to take all of the credit. Think about it, Adora is a producer at Big Hit and participated in MANY of BTS's songs. But did you ever see her come forward and try to take all of the credit? Nope. Never once. Alright. Fine. Say that she doesn't do that because she's Korean, just like them. But what about Halsey, she's a western artist? She even collaborated with BTS twice. Did she try to take all of the credit? Not even once.

[@lisapang1943]

Melanie & her husband need to be honest about their contribution instead exaggerating to the point to ignore other co writers including BTS themselves. Melanie & her manager Justin showed that they used BTS for clout.

[@erahmacy8881]

BTS: "my part in that song"😍 Meanwhile... 😒 Melanie F: "My song"🤑 Are you out of your mind melanie?? Then write your own song and please keep it in your chest and get lost!! 😎

[@Olivrian]

It’s harder to translate English to Korean because of the translation have to be backwards. Then translating Korean to English. Because sometimes you will just understand what they are trying to say and you can write it. That’s why RM really have a hard time. And Teahyung did such a good job to his solo song.

[@MysticaAriYena]

I think your twitter link might be broken? it says the account doesn't exist. Thank you for that very calm explanation. I had no idea of the issue but it sadly doesn't surprise me. I'm greatful the guys have Army and vice versa.

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

Oh thank you for noticing. I fixed it!

[@netlag5171]

There's always one or two greedy people. Sad!

[@lisapang1943]

Billboard lacks credit when it came to BTS.

[@moneymakingpal1]

Aww this was such a good talk.

[@katherinerebenque4930]

It would not have been so bad, if she just said, " can hear that song, I co-wrote that"! "Oh there's another one, and another one". But she did say my song which is so wrong.

[@Terrakinetic]

This would be a very normal argument between artists if it wasn't for the public. I don't mean the fans, but the people outside of that circle, people who just want to jump on the band wagon and go, "Aha! Another target to put a notch on my virtue belt!" You can't stop gossip, but I feel like over the years the power of voices on periphery have grown stronger than the voices of the people directly involved in so many situations.

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

but withholding what you know to be true, right, and just for the sake of avoiding giving the moralists another notch in their belt equates to tolerating the wrong and unjust. But yes, i get your point. i understand what you are saying. it is frustrating.

[@LPnerd]

No, but you can claim you translated every word ! 💜 As a American, I suspect someone here is going to try to piggyback off her work with BTS to make money here. Oh my my my is hardly writing a song. How would you even take credit for that, unless there is more? It's too bad, there was another artist that collabed with BTS and gave them NO credit publicly . IT ruined their career. Karma will take care of this, and she will get what she gives. BTS, in their credits gives credit to all who worked on each song and they don't have to do that.

[@lotlotdg4300]

Doesn't Big hit pays them or buy those songs from them.. they should have contract ....

[@lachi001]

This is a very informative and objective take on the melanie fontana issue. Make more vids pls. Also is mickey mouse at the back okay? Lol.

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

You caught him in the middle of a, errrr, compromising position.

[@lachi001]

@@AsianEntertainmentandCulture i hope mickey is okay. And i'm a pinoy too. ☺️

[@AH-rc7ik]

They don't know korean and did not translate from Korean, which the manager pretty much admitted in the dm ss. They usually write English versions and BTS as well as their team translates. Not the other way around

[@annarobrigado7196]

nahh... taking full credit for something that she was only a part of, no, we're wary of that. sound like she's taking advantage of. maybe if she said, i wrote something, i gave it to bts, they did a lot of changes to suit their musicality, but they retained some of it, which i'm grateful for. so it's still an amazing feeling. somehow entitlement oozes from the way she presents herself. maybe im judgmental, but, okay you talk to her and pound some sense into her :)

[@eileencritchley4630]

If you co write it's not my song it's 'our song' or if she did a tiny part it's oh that's the song I helped with. It's all about not making it look like you did more than you did. If you translate a song than you didn't write it you can only claim you translated the original song. Her attitude doesn't sit well with me being British you don't over state what you did on a project that kind of thing is looked down upon here. It's why we don't get on very well with a lot of American when we try to work with them. Sorry but American's tend to be it's all about them and their over inflated egos, what they think they've done,constantly over inflating what they've done. We have a term for it it's called 'Black Hating' or 'over egging the pudding'. Bascially what she did would have had people calling her out for it, if she had done that here in the UK.

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

i agree... co owning an art isn't the same as fully owning the art, that giving credit to yourself (which is important) shouldn't take away from the credit that others deserve. and i will be using "over egging the pudding". Learned something new. thank you!

[@eileencritchley4630]

@@AsianEntertainmentandCulture welcome :)

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

How do British pronounce pudding? Puh-ding or pooding?

[@eileencritchley4630]

@@AsianEntertainmentandCulture we pronounce it as Pud ing

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

Pud ing... i'm British!🤣 i used to try and speak like The Beatles. i haven't succeeded

[@nehadhurwey503]

Wow this sounds like I made the whole manga not translate it.

[@katherinerebenque4930]

Oh and also if she could write for Beyonce, and Taylor Swift can you imagine the size of her ego then?,.

[@lenadidas5371]

Lyrics and melody are not the same thing.

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

correct they are not. it seems she wrote the melody and lyrics of the chorus. but the melody was kept. only two lines of her lyrics were kept. Namjun changed the rest.

[@lenadidas5371]

@@AsianEntertainmentandCulture I should clarify. My comment was about your hamlet statement. Which could apply to the lyrics. But lyrics are not music. They are poetry. The melody is the musical part. The lyrics and vocals could be removed and replaced with any instrument. But I do agree with you on her tone. She comes off like she wrote most the song ( Melodies ) herself or something. But I wasn't in the studio when the song was written. So idk.

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

@@lenadidas5371 just because you add another layer to an art doesn't make it different. it is still art. Hamlet could be made into a musical, noone will have the right to claim ownership of that piece of art except Shakespeare. They will be credited for the music for that specific musical, not for Hamlet. the same thing is true with other songs. If I translate Hey Jude, Single Ladies, Thriller into my native language, it will still be owned The Beatles, Beyonce, and Michael Jackson respectively. even though it will require my own creativity to put my own language's sensibility and relevance to the song. it's not about the translation. it's about the original piece of art.

[@lenadidas5371]

@@AsianEntertainmentandCulture I think we are looking at this topic from opposite angles here. I do agree with what you are saying. I think I was bad at explaining my point of view. Art is free flowing to controlled and deliberate expression. It can really be anything and anyway the creator wants it to be. What I'm getting at is. If you write a song. With or without lyrics and write the melody. And you give me the right to record and sell the song. But I go and change all the lyrics of the song while keeping the melody the exact same. You are in fact that original writer of that song also. The lyrics don't matter after you created the original piece.

[@charstar386]

But they don’t speak Korean so neither translated it into English. They probably just wrote the English parts. But I’m not even sure about that. RM said that she helped him with the melody and pushed him past a block.

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

for Tae's song. someone translated it into english and then Fontana "made it sound more local". For the other songs, BTS didn't use her lyrics except for a few lines because RM explained that BTS writes 95% of their lyrics.

[@cgage_01]

This is the definition of plagerism, and she should loose credits for this song in fact he credits should disappear.

[@dewmountain8104]

Respectfully asking, how do you know the lyrics were originally written in Korean and then translated?

[@AsianEntertainmentandCulture]

Justin Garza, Melanie's manager, said that the lyrics were written originally in Korean and given to them to be translated to english. i put the text exchange between Garza and an ARMY where he confirmed it. More importantly, Taehyung said he wrote the whole song.

[@susansheldon2033]

Check at 12:09. "In this case we were actually sent the song in Korean. And then it translated and written completely in English."

[@dewmountain8104]

Asian Entertainment and Culture Ok thanks for in information. But I don’t think I ever heard Taehyung saying he wrote the whole song, he co-wrote it with others right? There are other people credited so why would he say he wrote the whole thing? That’s the same as Melanie saying she wrote the whole song.

[@dewmountain8104]

Susan Sheldon Thanks for the reference, I understand the lyrics were in Korean first.

[@susansheldon2033]

@@dewmountain8104 Ahhh. So your real question was, "How do you know that Taehyung wrote all the Korean lyrics?"

[@truthhappiness454]

She's claimed her song hahahaha which she just part of it!