K-pop music awards: Who truly benefits?


NewJeans reflects on their recognition as the "Worldwide Icon" at the "2024 The Fact Music Awards" in Osaka, Japan, acknowledging the intense pressure faced by K-pop idols due to the increasing number of music awards. The competitive nature of the industry drives artists to maintain a flawless image, leading to physical and mental tolls from the demanding schedules. The Korea Music Content Association (KOMCA) reports over 20 major music award ceremonies in South Korea this year, a stark contrast to the three major ceremonies in the United States. The growing number of K-pop award shows, with more launching each year, has put pressure on local entertainment companies to participate, as media outlets use their influence to secure artists for their events. With the high demand for K-pop performances, the costs of featuring artists in full-scale productions have risen, and award shows organized by media outlets often require artists to perform in addition to receiving awards. This extensive preparation for participation in awards shows detracts from artists' primary focus on creating original content, leading to concerns about the physical and time-related toll on artists. To address these concerns, KOMCA established the Council for the Improvement of Music Award Ceremonies to develop guidelines and standardized contracts for artist participation, aiming to promote self-regulation within the industry and mitigate the negative consequences of the growing number of award shows.


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