There was a time when Bollywood biggies were copying the works of other entertainment industries left, right and centre. Nobody could tell because most viewers weren’t exposed to the originals.

Times have changed. From Turkish to Korean, India watches and listens to it all. Call it a boom in technology, our curiosity towards other cultures or the age of social media, but it’s not possible today for a maker to publicly release a copy and innocently pass the viewers’ eye.

So the smart ones officially call a story they intend to copy a remake and a song they wish to take inspiration from a remix. However, we still have some songs on our list that became super popular in Bollywood as originals but were, unfortunately, copied from K-Pop.

1. Sher Khul Gaye (2023) - Dynamite (2020)

BTS’s “Dynamite” is too popular to copy without getting noticed. So this one was a bold step. However, the music director and editor of “Sher Khul Gaye” from Fighter tried their best to cover up the base tune but after listening to both you’ll be able to detect the similarities.

2. Zaalima (2017) - Eyes, Nose, Lips (2014)

Such a soul-touching song Raees’ “Zaalima” is and you’d want to give all the credit to Harshdeep Kaur and Arijit Singh until you realise it’s a copy of South Korean singer Taeyang’s “Eyes, Nose, Lips” that released in 2014.

3. Pehli Nazar Mein (2009) - Sarang Hae Yo (2008)

This song from Race and Atif Aslam’s voicemade the idea of love at first sight so much more covetable. But “Pehli Nazar Mein” is a copy of South Korean musical artist Kim Hyung Sup’s “Sarang Hae Yo”.

4. Laaj Sharam (2018) - Girls Girls Girls (2017)

Most girls enjoyed jamming to “Laaj Sharam” from Veere Di Wedding. The fact that a fun song like this felt original made it even more special. But this too, was a copy of a song “Girls Girls Girls” by K-Pop band GOT7.

5. Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) - My Lecon (2001)

Pritam sahab ka gana hai? No, no, this brilliantly unforgettable tune that plays in your head every time you read or hear Bhool Bhulaiyaa was actually created by JTL. The name of the original song is “My Lecon”. Many suggest that this Korean song was also a copy of a Russian song “Ozero slyoz” by Potap and Nastya.

6. Mantoiyat (2018) - Do You (2015)

Raftaar’s 2018 song for Manto was initially criticised a lot by Indian BTS fans. “Mantoiyat” is a rap song about social issues and RM’s “Do You” has the same theme. You’ll see the similarities in the videos. After it barely took fans any time to make the connection and point fingers, Raftaar came forward to issue an official apology.

7. Baatein Kuch Ankahee (2007) - Ah reum da oon sa ram (2005)

The part of this song that you love the most has been picked by Pritam from the Korean song “Ah reum da oon sa ram.” The song was a part of the 2005 drama, My Lovely Sam Soon featuring Hyun Bin in the lead role.

8. Dil Khol Do (2020) - So What (2018)

Benny Dayal’s “Dil Khol Do” featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Kriti Kharbanda also featured an uncanny resemblance to BTS’ “So What” and was quickly noticed by desi fans of the South Korean band.

Do you know any others?