By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
The use of artificial intelligence is currently a contentious issue among K pop fans. Some of the genre's top stars, including the boy band Seventeen, have begun experimenting with AI to create music videos and produce songs.
Last year, Seventeen sold approximately 16 million albums, solidifying their place as one of the most successful K pop acts in history. However, their latest album and single, Maestro, have sparked significant discussion. The music video features an AI generated scene, and at the album launch in Seoul, band member Woozi mentioned that he had been "experimenting" with AI in music production.
"We practiced making songs with AI because we want to develop along with technology rather than complain about it," Woozi said. "This is a technological development that we have to leverage, not just be dissatisfied with. I practiced using AI and tried to look for the pros and cons."
Despite these experiments, Woozi later clarified on Instagram that all of Seventeen's music is “written and composed by human creators.”On K pop discussion forums, fans are divided over the use of AI. Some believe more regulations are needed before the technology becomes widespread, while others, like superfan Ashley Peralta, are more open to its use. "If AI can help an artist vercome creative blocks, then that’s OK with me," says the 26yearold. However, she worries that a whole album of AIgenerated lyrics could cause fans to lose touch with their favorite musicians.
"I love it when music reflects an artist and their emotions," she says. "K pop artists are much more respected when they’re hands on with choreographing, lyric writing, and composing because you get a piece of their thoughts and feelings. AI can take away that crucial component that connects fans to the artists."
Ashley co hosts the K pop fan podcast Spill the Soju with her best friend Chelsea Toledo. Chelsea admires Seventeen for being a self producing group, meaning they write their own songs and choreograph them too, but she’s concerned about the impact of AI on that reputation. “If they were to put out an album full of lyrics they hadn’t personally written, I don’t know if it would feel like Seventeen anymore, and fans want music that is authentically them.”
For those in K pop production, it's no surprise that artists are embracing new technologies. Chris Nairn, a producer, composer, and songwriter known as Azodi, has written songs for K pop artists including Kim Woojin and leading agency SM Entertainment. Chris, who lives in Brighton, has spent considerable time in South Korea and describes its music industry as progressive. "What I've learned by hanging out in Seoul is that Koreans are big on innovation, always asking, ‘What's the next thing?’ and ‘How can we be one step ahead?’ So, to me, it's no surprise that they're implementing AI in lyric writing. It’s about keeping up with technology."
Chris is skeptical about AI's future in K pop. Although he experiments with AI lyric generators, he doesn’t find the results strong enough for top artists. “AI is putting out fairly good quality stuff, but when you're at the top tier of the songwriting game, the best usually innovate and create something brand new. AI works by taking what’s already been uploaded and therefore can’t innovate by itself.” He predicts that AI will increase the demand for more personal songs. "There's going to be pressure from fans to hear lyrics from the artist's heart, which will sound different from any songs made using AI."
Seventeen isn’t the only K pop band experimenting with AI. Girl group Aespa, which includes several AI members alongside human ones, used the technology in their latest music video Supernova. The video features generated scenes where the members' faces remain still while only their mouths move. Podcaster and superfan Chelsea says it "triggered" a lot of people. "K pop is known for amazing production and editing, so having whole scenes made of AI takes away the charm," she adds. Chelsea also worries about artists not getting proper credit. “With AI in videos, it’s harder to know if someone’s original artwork has been stolen. It’s a really touchy subject.”
Arpita Adhya, a music journalist and self proclaimed K pop superfan, believes AI’s use in the industry highlights the pressure artists face to produce new content. "Most recording artists release an album every two years, but K pop groups push out albums every six to eight months because there’s so much hype around them." She also notes the normalization of AI in the industry, citing the rise of AI covers on YouTube, where fans use technology to mimic another artist's voice. This trend, she argues, should be regulated, echoing recent calls from western artists like Billie Eilish and Nicki Minaj to stop the "predatory" use of AI in the music industry.
For Arpita, the lack of regulations means fans feel obligated to set their own boundaries. “While there are no clear guidelines on how much artists can and can’t use AI, we struggle to decide ‘what is right and wrong?’” She hopes that K pop artists will remain attuned to public opinion and make necessary changes. “The fans are the biggest part and they have a lot of influence over artists. Groups are always keen to learn and listen, and if Seventeen and Aespa realize they are hurting their fans, they will hopefully address that.”
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