“Inkigayo” PD Reveals The 4th-Gen Group That Impressed Him The Most

When it comes to South Korean pop music, the stage is set every Sunday by SBS‘s popular music program, Inkigayo. The show highlights the latest and most trending artists, giving audiences thrilling performances each week. It’s the ultimate platform for the K-Pop idols to showcase their talent, concepts, and charisma, but ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes and who impresses the showrunners the most?

Gong Sung Hyun | TV Report

Recently, the Program Director (PD) for Inkigayo, Gong Sung Hyun, opened up about the idol group that impressed him the most. Gong, who is also SBS A&T’s director, surprised fans by revealing it’s SM Entertainment‘s aespa that caught his attention the most.

When Aespa first debuted, I thought that they were ahead of the trend.

— Gong Sung Hyun, Inkigayo PD

aespa attending Inkigayo. | SBS Inkigayo

Aespa’s innovative concept of blending reality with a metaverse and having their own intellectual property sets them apart in the rapidly evolving K-Pop industry. “I thought they would make it (with their metaverse) since they had their own intellectual property. They even had a virtual reality concert,” he added.

Gong’s admiration for aespa and their concept shows a clear foresight into the future of the industry. The young girl group’s avant-garde approach to incorporating technology into their music and performances has opened up new avenues for K-Pop, merging art and innovation in an unprecedented way.

aespa backstage at SBS’s Inkigayo. | SBS Inkigayo

What’s even more interesting is Gong’s dedication to understanding this burgeoning aspect of the industry. “I am attending grad school to learn more about this industry,” Gong revealed. His commitment to staying updated and continually adapting his set designs to suit the new trends proves his innovative thinking.

The reason why I am studying is to think about how I can use this for set designs.

— Gong Sung Hyun, Inkigayo PD

SBS A&T, a subsidiary of SBS, is responsible for video production, video journalism, video art, and production technology. Being the director of such a versatile and creative division, Gong Sung Hyun’s words definitely hold weight, making his admiration a big compliment for the aespa members.

As the K-pop industry continues to grow and transform, embracing and integrating advanced technologies, aespa’s groundbreaking approach signifies a shift towards a new era in music. While they continue to lead the 4th-gen pack with their unique metaverse concept, the expectations for future performances on the Inkigayo stage, among others, are skyrocketing.