K-Pop Music Streaming Sites Change Systems To Prevent Digital Chart Manipulation

For the past few months the big issue in the world of K-Pop has been digital chart manipulation, or digital sajaegi, through music streaming services online.

Last month, Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism decided to tackle the matter head on.

Now, in accordance with the ministry's plans and efforts, all the major music streaming services in Korea have taken a huge step to help eradicate the problem.

As of September 2, sites like Bugs, Mnet, Olleh Music, and KT Genie have removed the feature that allows for the automatic playing of suggested songs.

Previously, record companies and promoters would pay the services large sums to have a particular track featured as a automatically streamed song. Without options given, users were paying to listen to tracks they may not have intended to through this sort of 'combination selling' technique.

With the new rules in effect, users are free to choose what song is played next and have the freedom of more variety.

The services and record companies also benefit from the new system as they can now freely promote several new songs at one time.

Sajaegi had been a quiet practice for a while in the K-Pop industry, but the matter was thrust into the limelight last month when the major record companies in South Korea, such as YG and SM Entertainment, publicly voiced their concerns about the methods used to boost flailing artists to the top of the music charts.

After launching an investigation, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism decided more drastic measures needed to be taken.

By removing the automatic play feature, users will have their choice among several suggested songs to play and will more easily be able to discover new music.

The new system went into effect on September 2 and extends to the music streaming services websites and mobile apps.