BTS’s latest title track, “Swim,” has become the center of a growing legal dispute after three previously unknown composers accused the song of plagiarizing an unreleased demo they claim to have created. The allegations quickly attracted widespread attention, and BIGHIT MUSIC wasted no time responding.

In an official statement, the agency firmly rejected the accusations and made its position clear.

“The lawsuit is only a unilateral claim made by the plaintiffs. We would like to make it clear that ‘Swim’ is an independently created work. We intend to take strong action in future legal proceedings.”

With that statement, BIGHIT MUSIC emphasized that the lawsuit represents the composers’ allegations only and that the company intends to defend itself through the legal process.

According to reports, the three composers have filed a lawsuit against HYBE and its subsidiaries, alleging that “Swim” shares significant similarities with their unreleased demo. However, the specific evidence supporting those claims has not been publicly evaluated by a court, and the legal proceedings are still in their early stages.

As a result, no determination has been made regarding whether plagiarism occurred.

Despite the lack of a legal ruling, the controversy has already divided Korean netizens.

Some commenters expressed skepticism toward the lawsuit itself, arguing that the timing raises questions. Several pointed out that if the similarities were so obvious, the composers could have taken legal action much earlier instead of waiting until after BTS had promoted the song extensively and completed major tours.

Others suggested that the plaintiffs might simply be attempting to seek financial compensation from one of the world’s most successful music acts.

On the other hand, some online users criticized HYBE, with a few drawing comparisons to how the company has handled previous copyright-related controversies involving other artists. Those commenters argued that the agency’s response appeared noticeably different from its approach in past disputes, fueling additional debate across online communities.

Not all reactions focused on the legal issues.

Some netizens used the controversy to criticize the song itself, while others defended BTS and argued that plagiarism accusations against globally successful artists often emerge after songs achieve widespread popularity.

The discussion has therefore expanded far beyond the lawsuit, becoming another flashpoint in the broader online debate surrounding HYBE and its artists.

It is important, however, to separate public opinion from established facts.

At this stage, the only confirmed developments are that the three composers have filed a lawsuit alleging plagiarism and that BIGHIT MUSIC has categorically denied those allegations, insisting that “Swim” was independently created. Beyond those statements, no court has ruled on the merits of the case, and the evidence presented by either side has not yet been fully examined in public legal proceedings.

For that reason, claims that BTS or BIGHIT MUSIC committed plagiarism remain allegations, not proven facts.

As the case moves forward, attention will likely shift from social media speculation to the legal process itself. Whether the plaintiffs can demonstrate substantial similarities and whether BIGHIT MUSIC can establish independent creation will ultimately be matters for the court to determine.

Until then, the controversy continues to generate passionate debate online, with fans and critics offering sharply different interpretations of the case. While opinions remain deeply divided, the legal dispute surrounding “Swim” is only beginning, and its outcome will depend on the evidence presented—not on the reactions circulating across social media.