BTS’s Suga Calls Out K-Pop Companies Who “Destroy The Industry” By Abusing Their Power Over Their Own Artists

BTS‘s Suga is thankful for his company, BIGHIT MUSIC. In an interview with Weverse Magazine, he discussed his position in the entertainment industry as a singer, rapper, and producer. He agreed that success is extremely difficult to attain, and he was able to come so far thanks to his label.

The great thing about the label I’m with is they listen to the artists’ opinions. I think both we and the label know to a certain degree what kinds of activities would be best commercially speaking.

— Suga

BTS’s Suga

He also knew that his own hard work and perseverance could not be undermined. If other artists hope to succeed, they must be able to endure their grueling schedule as much as possible.

But the question is whether the body can endure it or not. If the fatigue builds up as you continuously do those promotional activities, it’s hard to do them the way you did when you first debuted.

— Suga

At the same time, companies should know when enough is enough. Suga berated the agencies who overwork their tired artists.

In that case, I think the label ought to actively accommodate the artist’s views about what they can and cannot do. An attitude that’s just like, ‘Oh, we made you kids, and as long as you just do what we tell you to it’ll all work out, so just do it’—I think that really doesn’t make any sense.

— Suga

As someone who has been in the industry for years, he’s seen situations of abuse. He called these kinds of companies the “biggest issue” in the industry.

Of course, there could still be situations where the label has to be pushy like that, obviously. But I heard there’s been times where a label will just say, ‘Do it,’ without any explanation to the artist, or, ‘Why are you talking so much?’ I think that’s the biggest issue and it’s destroying the industry. If you just see the artist as a product, how can they do anything creative?

— Suga

In Suga’s opinion, the healthy condition of the artist is precursory to them giving a great performance: “I really think it’s very contradictory to ask the people on stage to put on an enjoyable performance when they’re experiencing neither fun nor enjoyment.”