(g)-idle Leader Apologizes for Using Private Version of Song-writing Software 'ni Kontakt'

By Dong Sun-hwa

Jeon So-yeon, leader of up-and-coming K-pop girl band (G)-IDLE, made a public apology on Saturday for using a pirate version of pricy German song-making software 'Ni Kontakt.'

'I deeply regret that I used an illegal copy of the program,' Jeon wrote on her online fan community site.

'As far as I remember, I used it when I first learned songwriting. I had not even recognized that I did not delete the program ― I reflect on this too.

But since the day I began composing in earnest, I have only used authorized programs.'

Jeon So-yeon.

Korea Times file

The apology came days after a YouTube video of her off-the-stage life, produced by the band's agency, accidently showed icons of the software's illegal copy on her laptop screen. The screen appeared for only seconds, but eagle-eyed people spotted it.

Since then, she has been the target of harsh criticism The agency edited out the scene from the video, and also apologized.

'As a creator, I should have been more cautious about copyrights ― I am sorry...