Is K-Pop Really A “Factory System”? Industry Leaders Weigh In

Claims that the K-Pop industry operates as a “factory system,” churning out performers in an impersonal and mechanical fashion, have been a recurring point of contention. In a candid conversation with The Recording Academy, several key industry figures came forward to dispel these damaging narratives.

Following BTS incredible rise to fame, many narratives about K-Pop’s inner workings started being pushed by western media. | BIGHIT MUSIC

Vince, a renowned singer, songwriter, and producer under THEBLACKLABEL — an associate company to YG Entertainment —was the first to address this controversial topic. “We have so many people trying to be ‘in the system’ to become artists, but it’s really a select few that get to come and go through the training program,” he revealed. Vince’s statement echoes the reality of the competitive nature of the K-Pop industry, and he underscored that, in his experience, the so-called “system” was not dehumanizing at all.

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Echoing these sentiments, Shin Cho, the Head of K-Pop at Warner Music Asia, emphasized the immense investment involved in developing a K-Pop artist.

It’s a business that cannot be operated without real humans’ dedication and commitment.

— Shin Cho

Shin Cho acknowledged past instances of harmful practices but asserted that in the new K-Pop era, labels harboring such practices had not survived. His comments highlight the ongoing evolution and improvement within the industry.

BB Girls (formerly Brave Girls) were able to reunite as a group under a new label, Warner Music Korea. | Brave Entertainment

Offering a unique perspective, Wonderkid, a songwriter/producer under BELIFT LAB — a label co-founded by CJ ENM and HYBE — noted the need to understand the past and present context of South Korea to grasp the misconceptions about the K-Pop industry. Wonderkid argued that the term “factory system” is often misinterpreted as cold and mechanistic, which would not resonate with audiences seeking genuine connection and passion in music.

If ‘factory system’ pertains to ‘well-organized systems in place to do multiple tasks simultaneously,’ then I would agree with this specific concept.

— Wonderkid

Wonderkid took part in producing ENHYPEN’s “Bite Me” | BELIFT LAB

This redefinition situates the “factory system” as a well-structured, efficient system that is crucial in managing the multifaceted tasks involved in producing top-tier K-Pop performances.

These insights from industry veterans cast a fresh light on the misrepresented “factory system” of K-Pop. They remind us that the industry’s backbone is the dedicated artists, producers, and professionals who devote their lives to creating the music and performances beloved by fans worldwide.

BLACKPINK are the only YG Entertainment female trainees to debut since 2016. | YG Entertainment

So, while the term “factory system” might be used disparagingly, these voices from within the industry suggest a reevaluation of our understanding. K-Pop is not a factory of automatons — it’s a complex ecosystem of hardworking and passionate individuals striving for excellence in their craft.