The organiser of Expo Shanghai has suspended the use of a theme song following accusations that it’s plagiarised from Japanese singer Mayo Okamoto’s 1997 hit. Immediate below is an edited video which mixed both versions…
The issue is still pending investigation, but the public seems to agree that it’s a copycat… and I think it’s too similar beyond reasonable doubts too.
Although it’s not the official theme song (more like a PR song instead), it’s still an embarrassment especially when so many big names have participated in the song, e.g. Jackie Chan, Andy Lau, Li Bingbing etc.
Expo theme song 2010 Welcomes You (2010 等你来)…
Japanese song by Mayo Okamoto, Sonomama no Kimideite (そのままの君でいて)…
[Videos via Madtanakakeigo & Zhonghuarenminjiayou & Nostalgicvoice @Youtube]
[Update] The organizers of Shanghai Expo have asked Mayo Okamoto for permission to use her song, which the artist has approved the request. Well, win-win in the end. [via Japanprobe]
