"I am a singer" variety show

We mentioned this new variety show "I am a singer" (나는 가수다) that showcases 7 singers in a competition between each other. Comedians are their managers and they have challenges and the audience votes for first place and seventh place.

There has been some controversy with the show itself because of the fact that one of the top singers in the Korean music industry placed last. But also, there has been some recent controversy with music companies grumbling about the fact that the music on the show is being sold (and so popular aka "dominating the music charts", because let's be honest, if it wasn't selling successfully, they wouldn't care). They are worried about the music chart "going into a crisis" if these songs keep getting sold. Are they just worried about their own idols making money? Or are they actually worried about the industry? Is it a bad thing to release these songs?

Breakdown of who gets paid what:
On the income distribution for the songs, MBC explained, “60% of the profit goes to the distributor and copyright holder. 10% of the remaining 40% is split into donations for the improvement of the music industry. Whatever’s left is divided 5:5 amongst the singers and us.”




When the songs from OST "Secret Garden" were successful (including a re-released version of a song, this time sung by actor Hyun Bin) the music industry grumbled about the issues with OSTs versus pop music. And I understand their concerns. If songs from "I am a singer" are earning revenue, the revenue might be taken away from them. 


KMP Holdings, a music and broadcasting organization that SM, JYP, and YG Entertainment are all a part of, will be holding a meeting at 5 PM KST on March 31st to come up with a statement against MBC releasing “I Am A Singer” covers into digital songs.

I remember reading this and being really disappointed in the industry and the organization. If the fans want it, as a company that could make revenue from it... of course you are going to release it. While I would prefer that MBC didn't get as large of a cut as the singer, but let's be honest... it is their concept and their idea. Similar to GLEE, the network gets their own cut of profit.
Even further, it isn't like this is the first situation either. Unexpected popular songs get released. Suzy's "Winter Child" from Dream High was released after people expressed they wanted to purchase it. Similar situation.

It mentions above that KMP Holdings was going to make a statement, but it looks like YG's CEO came out with his own statement first.

 To me, I’m ecstatic that talented singers like Kim Bum Soo are finally able to receive spotlight through shows like ‘I Am a Singer’.


He recognized the talent of singers like Kim Bum Soo (but then again, it is hard not to). 


Reflecting back on the past couple of years, the industry seems to have swayed too far to one side. When talented singers emerge, the wave of interest sways to that side. When idols gain popularity, the wave of interest sways to that side, thus leaving the others with no place to stand. It’s so fortunate that such a program allows talented singers to reinvent past hits and communicate with the public.”


Even further, he makes a statement about the current and past state of the music industry. Though there could be an ulterior motive, he directly points to the music industry and criticizes the way that it was biased. Only Kpop idols (including his own) were recognized in the music industry, while others were left to dry. He congratulates the show (instead of the "statement against") for being able to showcase different kinds of singers. We talked about Lee Sora, a contestant on the show, whose concert tickets sold out because of "I am a singer". Or maybe not because of the show. More because the show was able to showcase her talent to the mainstream public. 


I am curious to see how the rest of the industry (if they decide to react) will react. YG came right out (and he has also stated in the past that he thought the music industry was going toward the "singers who can sing" movement, if you read two posts previous to this one). I wonder, also, if he is able to say these kinds of things because his company has a reputation for choosing based more on talent, not looks. I can't say "only for" talent, but YG is the more talent-driven company. If a company like SM (or even JYP) comes out with a statement like this, would it have different repercussions? They would be also more strongly criticizing their idols as well, as both SM & JYP are known to do more "street casting". Yang Hyun Suk criticizes the lack of exposure of other genres of music. In a way, he is criticizing the music industry that has spread his idol groups and shot them to stardom. 


Just thought it was interesting. I do remember some grumblings about GLEE when their music started coming out too, so I guess we'll see 1. what happens when the show comes back on the air   2. if it will have the same impact   3. how it will actually impact the music industry.