AP Responds to Song Controversy, Reveals Ian Blocked Him on Social Media
AM730 · 1 SOURCES1 day ago3 MIN
Summary
MIRROR member Ian Chan Tak-yin and independent singer-songwriter AP Poon Yiu-him have responded publicly to the controversy that erupted earlier this year over alleged song plagiarism. AP appeared at the 2026 CASH Anniversary Dinner and 24th CASH Golden Sail Music Awards ceremony held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, marking his first major public appearance since becoming embroiled in the scandal. The dispute arose when netizens pointed out striking similarities between Ian's self-written single "That Soft Light, Named After You" and AP's Mandarin release "Diamond Dust Planet," released around the same time. AP maintained that the situation escalated unnecessarily, clarifying he never explicitly accused anyone of copying his work. He also revealed being blocked by Ian on social media, though he emphasized this does not necessarily mean the end of their friendship. Their relationship breakdown reportedly stems from broader value differences rather than the song controversy alone.
Key Points
- AP attended the 2026 CASH Golden Sail Music Awards at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, speaking publicly for the first time since the controversy erupted .
- Netizens previously accused Ian's single "That Soft Light, Named After You" of being similar to AP's Mandarin song "Diamond Dust Planet" in both melody and arrangement .
- AP clarified he never claimed anyone plagiarized his work, stating he merely shared his observations about the music industry and treatment of behind-the-scenes musicians .
- AP revealed he was blocked by Ian on Instagram, which caused his account to automatically unfollow Ian's account, though he stated unfollowing does not mean they can never be friends .
- AP attributed their friendship breakdown to differing personal values rather than the song controversy alone, calling the incident a trigger point rather than the sole cause .
Why It Matters
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between idol singers and behind-the-scenes music creators in Hong Kong's entertainment industry. AP's decision to step back from the limelight and focus solely on songwriting after being caught in the crossfire reflects the challenges independent artists face when caught in fan culture conflicts. The incident also underscores how social media disputes between public figures can quickly escalate, affecting not just the individuals involved but also their collaborators, as demonstrated by producer Chen Ka-wai's involvement in the controversy.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between idol singers and behind-the-scenes music creators in Hong Kong's entertainment industry. AP's decision to step back from the limelight and focus solely on songwriting after being caught in the crossfire reflects the challenges independent artists face when caught in fan culture conflicts. The incident also underscores how social media disputes between public figures can quickly escalate, affecting not just the individuals involved but also their collaborators, as demonstrated by producer Chen Ka-wai's involvement in the controversy.