MUMBAI: Controversy continues to surround Sony Pictures' latest film 'The Interview', after reports have emerged that K-Pop star- Yoon Mi-rae will allegedly take legal action against Sony for using her track 'Pay Day' in the film without her consent.

Yoon Mi-rae, whose real name is Natasha Shanta Reid, is an American-born Korean pop star and releases her music under Feel Good Music. In a statement recently released by the company, it was revealed that there were discussions to use the track in the film. However, negotiations halted, and no contract was signed.

"It was only after the film was released that we became aware of the song's unauthorised use, without taking the appropriate and necessary steps to complete a contract with the artists," Feel Good Music said.

According to reports, 'The Interview', which stars actors James Franco and Seth Rogen, includes about 10 – 15 seconds of the track. The statement is also to have said that the artists were uncertain about authorising the music for the film, as its controversial storyline has made it a sensitive topic in Korea.

The film's plot involves two American journalists (Rogen and Franco) who are hired to assassinate North Korea leader- Kim Jong Un (played by Randall Park). The song in question- 'Pay Day' is part of Yoon Mi-rae's 2007 self titled album. The 33-year old has been active in the music scene since 1995, and last year her track 'Touch Love' from the South Korean film 'Master's Sun' topped Billboard's K-Pop Hot 100 list.

'The Interview' was initially meant to be released on 25 December this year, however, plans to screen it were scrapped after a North Korean hacker group- Guardians of Peace, leaked emails and other sensitive data belonging to Sony. The group also issued terror threats to theatres that would show the film.

Meanwhile, Sony has released the film through independent theatres, and avenues like video-on-demand and an online purchase option via platforms like Google Play, YouTube Movies and Microsoft Xbox Video. In the four days since its release, the film has already made close to $18 million in online sales and theatres.