From “Mirotic” to “Dreams Come True,” from “Hot Summer” to “Next Level,” SM Entertainment has built a reputation for reworking songs from outside Korea and turning them into K-pop staples. But where’s the line between a cover, a sample, a demo… and plagiarism?In this episode, Chris and Chantel break down the legal and creative differences between covers, master vs. publishing rights, sampling, interpolation, and demo recordings - and why those distinctions matter more than most fans realize.We dive into SM’s history of licensed remakes, Western songwriting collaborations, and the company’s unique ability to transform existing material into something distinctly “SM.” Are these just copied songs… or carefully negotiated reinventions?

References:

• Dolly Parton - "I Will Always Love You" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0bEZH6ZqG4
• Whitney Houston - "I Will Always Love You" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JWTaaS7LdU
• Big Mama Thornton - "Hound Dog" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoHDrzw-RPg
• Elvis Presley - "Hound Dog" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNYWl13IWhY
• BTS - "As I Told You" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inNYQUC6dFs
• BLACKPINK - "So Hot" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skIfzl96Gc0
• TWICE - "End of Time" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxQKaEGrQ38
• 4Minute - "Milkshake" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrGQBMkXa30
• MEOVV - “Abracadabra” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jlLUl8hKGY&pp=ygURbWVvdnYgYWJyYWNhZGFicmE%3D
• Dara - “Mr. Rover” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcWlLGDvmEE&pp=ygUOZGFyYSBtci4gcm92ZXI%3D
• KAI - “Rover” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlTIextYnyQ&pp=ygUOZGFyYSBtci4gcm92ZXI%3D
• Medium.com "The Art of Clearing a Sample" article https://medium.com/the-courtroom/the-art-of-clearing-a-sample-deciding-if-its-worth-it-and-how-to-actually-do-e26fa56ad090
• Busta Rhymes - "Pass The Courvoisier Part II" feat. P. Diddy & Pharrell Williams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4ZUaxyPoZ8
• NCT U - "90's Love" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5H8zBb3iao
• Ke$ha - "Run Devil Run" (Demo) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBjETYX1awQ
• Girls' Generation - "Run Devil Run" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_gfD3nvh-8
• 6ix9ine - "Nobody (Closer)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2AN35GVh3U&ab_channel=FunnyYoutubeEdits
• Winner - "Island" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRj4toENrnA
• Sarah Connor - "Under My Skin" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33FwMpiWsaA
• TVXQ! - "MIROTIC" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtJS32n6LNQ
• A20 MAY - "UNDER MY SKIN" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GioJ0KPZADg&list=RDGioJ0KPZADg&start_radio=1&pp=ygUPYTIwIG1heSBtaXJvdGljoAcB
• Triple 8 - "Knockout" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czg3-Uw2dfM
• Super Junior - "Twins (Knock Out)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrazFGFRnhM
• Nylon Beat - "Like A Fool" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHwRoRB6u_0
• S.E.S. - "Dreams Come True" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uiR4SrDGZk
• aespa - "Dreams Come True" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H69tJmsgd9I
• Monrose - "Hot Summer" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikgpaT5_XXY
• f(x) - "Hot Summer" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-rftpZ7kCY
• Phrased Differently - "Red Light" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tnDNr3gZcU
• f(x) - "Red Light" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv-8-EgPEY0
• Nathalie Makoma - "I Just Wanna Dance" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJGaOefn7nM
• Girls' Generation - "Tell Me Your Wish (Genie)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SwiSpudKWI
• AWA - "Like I Do" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DIa-MolAUQ
• BoA - "Better" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOxl2OIOVII
• A$ton Wyld - "Next Level" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTKm0mnZgp8
• aespa - "Next Level" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TWR90KJl84
• Duffy - "Mercy" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7ZEVA5dy-Y
• Girls' Generation - "Dancing Queen" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXZxc8GSXnI

EXO is back with REVERXE, their eighth studio album - and their first group release since 2023’s EXIST. With nine new tracks, a bold concept, and a six-member lineup, fans have been waiting to see if this marks a true new era or just a brief return.

In this episode, Chris and Chantel Nicole go track by track through REVERXE, breaking down the vocals, production, lyrics, and overall direction. From high-energy lead single CROWN to experimental cuts like Moonlight Shadows and Flatline, we’re digging into what works, what surprised us, and what might leave some listeners divided.

Was REVERXE worth the wait? Does EXO still set the standard for K-pop albums? Let’s get into it.

• 0:00 - Intro
• 0:47 - "REVERXE" Album Info
• 2:24 - Album Cover
• 3:53 - "Crown"
• 25:51 - "Back It Up"
• 37:02 - "Crazy"
• 42:01 - "Suffocate"
• 48:48 - "Moonlight Shadows"
• 54:14 - "Back Pocket"
• 59:38 - "Touch & Go"
• 1:04:11 - "Flatline"
• 1:08:54 - "I'm Home"
• 1:17:24 - Cut or Keep
• 1:20:50 - Overall Thoughts & Final Rating

References:

• “Crown” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWfKkqo1Mk8&pp=ygUMZXhvIGNyb3duIG120gcJCXwKAYcqIYzv
• “Crown” Choreography at Music Bank https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEUR2TRM9XQ&pp=ygUWZXhvIGNyb3duIGNob3Jlb2dyYXBoeQ%3D%3D
• #MMA2025 Performance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1oeUV45EsA&pp=ygUJZXhvIG1lbG9u
• “I’m Home” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hTbNeHqGD8&pp=ygUNZXhvICdpJ20gaG9tZQ%3D%3D
• “I’m Home” Live at REVERXE Showcase https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4NHHKRWptg&pp=ygUNZXhvICdpJ20gaG9tZQ%3D%3D

UK girl group SAY NOW stopped by NYC and we had to catch up with them!

While they were in New York for a short visit to hit the studio, see the sights, and meet their amazing fans (the SAYLORS 💛), Chantel Nicole sat down with SAY NOW for an exclusive chat on CCTV: The Non-Stop Pop Show.

We talk all things: their origins as NEEDANAMEBRO, how they evolved into SAY NOW, their sound and visuals, and their journey as a girl group. The girls also open up about building their brand as artists, finding their blend with 3 unique vocals and aesthetics, and what’s next for them as they continue taking over the pop scene.

From London to NYC -- this is SAY NOW unfiltered 🎤✨

Members of Say Now:

Amelia Onuorah

• Instagram: @ameliaa.norah

Ysabelle "Yssy" Angeli (also known as Ysabelle Salvanera)

• Instagram: @ysabelleangeli

Madeleine "Maddie" Haynes

• Instagram: @madzhaynes

🎶 Topics covered:

• How SAY NOW was formed
• Their former name NEEDANAMEBRO
• Creating their signature sound + visuals
• Their time in North America visiting both Toronto and NYC
• Things to do in the UK

Media featured in this video:

• Say Now - Live from London | Full Performance https://youtu.be/_KRVsbWrdgI?si=FqrCyWx1qVddNvgx
• Say Now - Brick By Brick Official Music Video https://youtu.be/AH6K8VV73PQ?si=OeYfyWErwscZMDQQ
• Say Now - Trouble M/V https://youtu.be/KPMSyTH-fS0?si=tRSH9KJMDJkc9OH3'
• needanamebro / SAY NOW Netflix (Better now without you) https://youtu.be/IGXH-ZPgPro?si=Bgg__opr1v4JU6q7
• Say Now - Can't Keep a Beat [Dance Video] https://youtu.be/f1ogxTFufIc?si=HteKOvY_haMLz5OD
• Say Now - Super Market https://youtu.be/3e6B9fLj7oY?si=ZfOC1yCcgFSo__pZ
• Say Now NYC Vlog https://youtu.be/3pXVnedQrhk?si=1E8oVwDCHLsyRXBC

Special thanks to Say Now's management team, and ROGUE ARMS for allowing us to film!

Join us on Patreon!: https://www.patreon.com/CCTVPOPS

Follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cctvpops