K-pop band Seventeen has sparked a debate among fans after admitting to using artificial intelligence (AI) in their music production. The group, known for their self-producing abilities, revealed that they have been experimenting with AI technology to create music videos and write lyrics for their latest album, Maestro.
The use of AI in the music industry has divided K-pop fans, with some expressing concerns about losing the personal touch and emotional connection with their favorite artists. Super fan Ashley Peralta, who co-hosts a K-pop podcast, worries that AI-generated lyrics could take away from the authenticity of the music and disconnect fans from the artists.
Producer and songwriter Chris Nairn, who has worked with K-pop artists, acknowledges the innovative nature of the South Korean music industry but questions the strength of AI-generated lyrics for top-tier artists. He believes that fans will continue to demand more personal and heartfelt songs from their favorite artists.
Seventeen is not the only K-pop group experimenting with AI, as girl group Aespa has also incorporated the technology into their music videos. The use of AI in the industry has raised concerns about proper credit for artists and the pressure to constantly produce new content.
Music journalist Arpita Adhya, a self-proclaimed K-pop superfan, highlights the normalization of AI in the music industry and the need for regulations to protect artists’ creativity and fair compensation. Western artists like Billie Eilish and Nicki Minaj have called for tech firms to pledge not to develop AI music-generation tools that undermine human artistry.
As fans navigate the impact of AI on the K-pop industry, they hope that artists like Seventeen and Aespa will listen to public opinion and consider the implications of using AI in their music production. The debate surrounding AI in K-pop continues as fans and industry professionals grapple with the balance between innovation and authenticity in music creation.
