The Korean movie Okja caused a stir in the
movie industry recently with its simultaneous
release on Netflix and in theaters,... and
now one of Korea's most famous pop-stars is
trying something different... with his latest
collection of songs.
Our Lee Jeong-yeon has the details.
When we generally think of music albums, we
often think of CDs or LPs, things you can
hold in your hand.
However, Korean hip-hop artist G-Dragon likes
to think outside the box.
The BIGBANG singer has released his latest
album on a USB that contains just a link and
password to download the songs online.
The move prompted Korea's official music chart,
Gaon Chart, to refuse to consider it an 'album,'
saying it defines an 'album' as music on a
physical format.
G-Dragon's agency, YG Entertainment, accepted
the decision, but criticized it as outdated.
Public opinion on the matter is also divided.
"I don't think it's an album because there's
only a link."
"I think it's an album.
And it's been acknowledged as creative content,
so whether it's an album or not is insignificant."
"It is an album because users can conveniently
download the music online."
All differences aside, the idea is certainly
original.
People who buy G-Dragon's latest release need
to connect to an online server through the
USB.
It breaks the existing frame of content by
creating a direct channel that's more suited
for the digital age.
So it's seen as revolutionary, and different
from the pre-existing method of content production,
distribution, and consumption.
But it's still unclear whether the singer's
'revolutionary' decision is a good or bad
thing for the industry.
G-Dragon's album offers a direct link to consumers,
so it's more profitable for the artists, but
whether that's a step forward, or if it will
expand the music market is uncertain.
It might even diminish the current streaming
market, perhaps even driving it out completely,
which in turn, might harm consumers' rights.
Regardless of the controversy, Billboard in
the U.S. did accept it as an album, and it
topped the Billboard World Albums Chart two
weeks in a row, a first for a K-Pop artist.
From LPs to CDs and digital streaming services,
the way we listen to music is constantly evolving.
Whether G-Dragon's latest release is acknowledged
as an album or not, experts say one thing
is clear: his bold idea will spur further
changes in the contents distribution industry.
Lee Jeong-yeon, Arirang News
