Another layer of complexity has just been added to The Interview, a Sony Pictures film that has permeated the news cycle for several weeks. This time, the company could face legal action from K-Pop artists Tiger JK and Yoon Mi Rae after the flick allegedly used their song without consent.
"There were initial discussions about including the song in the film score, but negotiations stopped, so we were under the impression that it wasn't happening," FeelGhoodMusic said in a statement. "It was only after the film was released that we became aware of the song's unauthorized use, without taking the appropriate and necessary steps to complete a contract with the artists."
THR reports roughly 10 to 15 seconds of the song appear in the movie.
From NME: "The press release also noted the subject matter of the film — which stars Seth Rogen and James Franco and follows two American journalists recruited to kill Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea — stating, 'The artists were also hesitant about authorizing the use of the music, as the film is a very sensitive topic in Korea, so they are very surprised.'"
The film has dominated headlines in recent weeks after a North Korean hacker group systematically sent Sony into a frenzy by leaking emails and other sensitive information. The group, Guardians of Peace, also made terroristic threats against theaters that decided to show the film.
After several major chains scrapped plans to show the movie on its initial release date of Christmas Day, Sony decided to pull The Interview altogether before reneging on the decision in light of President Barack Obama's remarks and national backlash.
So the film got its day in hundreds of independent theaters across the country — as well as through legal streaming channels — and managed to rake in more than $1 million on opening day.
Haven't seen it yet? Check out the trailer below:
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