HYBE Founder Bang Si Hyuk Criticized for Saying THIS About K-pop: 'We need to remove...'

Netizens are criticizing Bang Si Hyuk because of his remarks about K-pop in an interview.

Here's what happened.

HYBE Founder Bang Si Hyuk Criticized for Removing Word 'K' in K-pop: Is Genre Still Korean?

On November 7, a Korean news outlet released an exclusive report with Bang Si Hyuk as the interviewee.

According to the content, Bang Si Hyuk was interviewed regarding the condition of K-pop itself. The interviewer managed to get Bang Si Hyuk's insights by mentioning how a crisis can interfere with K-pop's success despite peaking.

Bang Si Hyuk then replied that he believes the word 'K,' which means 'Korean' in K-pop, should be removed nowadays as it helps the genre grow and reach a wider consumer base in the music market.

The HYBE founder also added that if K-pop was to continue its current structure, it would limit its growth in terms of success. Read their conversation below:

Question: "K-pop is at its peak now, but a crisis can happen anytime. Some say that it has already started."

Bang Si Hyuk: "Actually, I often say that we need to remove the word 'K' from K-pop nowadays. As for whether continuing the current routine will help the K-pop industry's growth, I doubt so. These days, K-pop needs to reach a bigger consumer base in a wider market."

Bang Si Hyuk: "To gain access to universal values globally, we need to create many exits and entrances as much as possible. If K-pop would keep up with its current structure, I think that it will limit its growth."

Question: "When did you feel that such crisis was happening?"

Bang Si Hyuk: "I expected it to happen last year, but now, seeing the noticeable decline in K-pop indicators in Southeast Asia, I can instinctively say that it's now entered a dangerous space."

Question: "Is the girl group audition project with Universal Music Group a solution to prevent this?"

Bang Si Hyuk: "As I mentioned before, it's one of the tactics. We need to expand our target to people from various countries and introduce K-pop through artists that aren't of Korean or Asian origins."

The interview sparked a forum containing netizens, who voiced out their frustration towards Bang Si Hyuk's thoughts and intentions for the K-pop industry. Netizens mostly vented out since removing the "K" in K-pop would also mean eliminating its unique essence.

• "So why even bother doing K-pop?"
• "While K-pop is indeed impactful right now, I still don't think removing the 'K' would solve anything."
• "Just call it pop then, I'll just leave K-pop behind."

In a separate platform, international K-pop fans also agreed with the sentiments, as they too were baffled by Bang Si Hyuk's take on K-pop's long-term state.

Read their comments below:

• "Let's get you to bed, grandpa."

• "You don't need to remove the K to reach a wider consumer base."
• "People who aren't into K-pop are not into it because it's just not their taste. K-pop is so accessible these days. This isn't 2012 anymore."
• "He always has the dumbest takes. He always wants to be the pioneer of everything, he's so annoying."
• "When the biggest K-pop producer is ashamed of K-pop and just wants to be generic Western pop. The Western worship is crazy."

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Written by Riely Miller