K-pop Fans Clash Over AI’s Role in Beloved Genre

The use of AI in K-pop music and music videos has sparked a divisive debate among fans, as leading groups like Seventeen and Aespa experiment with the technology.

Fans divided on AI’s role in K-pop: While some fans appreciate AI’s potential to help artists overcome creative blocks, others worry it could diminish the personal connection between fans and their favorite musicians:

• Seventeen member Woozi admitted to “experimenting” with AI for songwriting on their latest album, stating that it’s a “technological development that we have to leverage, not just be dissatisfied with.”
• Fans value K-pop artists who are hands-on with choreographing, lyric writing, and composing, as it allows them to connect with the artists’ thoughts and feelings. AI-generated content may undermine this authentic connection.
• Girl group Aespa’s use of AI-generated scenes in their “Supernova” music video “triggered” many fans who felt it detracted from the charm of K-pop’s high-quality production and editing.

K-pop’s embrace of innovation: The South Korean music industry is known for its progressive attitude and desire to stay ahead of the curve, making the adoption of AI unsurprising to some insiders:

• Chris Nairn, a producer who has worked with various K-pop artists, notes that Koreans are “big on innovation” and always looking for “the next thing,” so implementing AI in lyric writing is a natural step.
• However, Nairn believes that top-tier songwriters still need to innovate and create something brand new, which AI cannot do on its own, as it works by building upon existing material.

Concerns and calls for regulation: The rapid integration of AI in K-pop has raised questions about proper credit, artistic integrity, and the need for clear guidelines:

• Music journalist Arpita Adhya suggests that the use of AI in K-pop reflects the immense pressure artists face to continuously create new content, with groups releasing albums every 6-8 months.
• The lack of regulations surrounding AI in music has left fans grappling with the responsibility of setting boundaries and determining what is acceptable.
• Western artists, including Billie Eilish and Nicki Minaj, have called for tech firms to stop developing AI music-generation tools that could undermine human artistry and fair compensation.

Looking ahead: As K-pop continues to experiment with AI, the future of the technology in the industry remains uncertain:

• Some predict that the use of AI will increase the demand for more personal, heartfelt songs that stand out from AI-generated content.
• Fans hope that K-pop artists, known for their willingness to learn and listen to their dedicated fanbase, will address concerns and find a balance between embracing technology and maintaining the human touch that makes their music special.