The music industry has taken a stand against the rise of K-pop award shows due to concerns over objectivity, artist health, excessive burdens on promoters, and the overall crisis facing the industry.
The Korea Music Content Association, chaired by Kim Chang-hwan and representing major Korean record labels and distributors, issued a statement opposing “reckless” K-pop award ceremonies.
The association expressed concern that some award shows prioritize profits over fairness and objectivity, urging for a shift towards award show cultures that foster the growth of the K-pop industry.
One major issue highlighted is the lack of clear evaluation criteria, leading to award shows becoming more about spectacle than meaningful recognition of talent and achievement. With K-pop’s global prominence, there’s a call for award shows that resonate with everyone involved.
The backlash stems from the surge in “for-profit” event-based award shows. MUSICON’s survey indicates over 20 music award ceremonies in Korea, with several new ones planned annually, putting pressure on artists to participate and causing scheduling conflicts.
Artists face not just the physical toll of performing at multiple shows but also financial burdens, fatigue, and potential repercussions such as negative press or limited broadcast opportunities from organizers.
Overseas K-pop award events have drawn criticism for high ticket prices, adding to fans’ financial strain. The reliance on paid popularity polls further exacerbates competition among fandoms, creating undue stress.
The lack of transparency in selecting winners, sometimes based on fan votes or appearances rather than merit, has eroded the credibility of award shows. This has led to lower-quality productions, sound issues, and even incidents of artists being mishandled during performances.
Acknowledging these issues, the Korea Music Content Association has postponed the “Circle Chart Music Awards” indefinitely to reevaluate and improve award show standards. They plan to release guidelines for performance contracts and award show criteria to foster a healthier, more impactful K-pop industry.
The ultimate goal is to support K-pop’s global expansion while ensuring that award shows contribute positively to the industry’s development rather than adding to its challenges.
