Sharon Osbourne Calls K-Pop ‘Soul-Crushing’ and Critiques It as a ‘Complete Factory’

Sharon Osbourne Critiques the K-Pop Industry’s Structure

Sharon Osbourne, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, has openly expressed her critical views on the K-pop sector and its operational model.

Insights from Billy Corgan’s Podcast

In a recent episode of The Magnificent Others podcast, hosted by Billy Corgan, Osbourne discussed the overarching influence of record labels. Corgan noted that these labels often strip away the individuality of artists, prompting Osbourne to highlight the K-pop industry as a prime example.

A Factory-Like Production

Corgan shared an insight about the K-pop creation process, describing how teams are organized: “They have these rooms, and literally in one room, they’ll just write choruses.‘Hey, don’t try to write a song, they just write choruses.’ In another room, they gather talented individuals to craft bridges, while a separate group focuses on writing verses, ”he recounted, referencing a friend’s experience within the industry.

The Soul-Crushing Reality of K-Pop

“It’s a complete factory, and they’ll chop these kids up to make them look like more Western. And, as soon as they get old, [they’re] out! A younger one comes in, and it’s just soul-destroying. Totally soul-destroying, ”said Osbourne, delivering a stark critique of the K-pop system.

The Global Growth of K-Pop

Despite these criticisms, it is undeniable that the K-pop industry has enjoyed explosive growth over the last ten years. In 2022, the South Korean music sector achieved a remarkable sales figure of around 11 trillion South Korean won (approximately $7.66 billion), as reported by Statista.

Further illustrating its global impact, the top 100 K-pop artists recorded an impressive 90.4 billion on-demand audio and video streams in 2023, which marks a significant 42.2% surge compared to the previous year, according to data from Luminate.

K-Pop’s Leading Acts

Several groups have been pivotal in bringing K-pop to a worldwide audience. For instance, BTS has achieved over 28 billion views across their music videos, while fellow powerhouse Blackpink closely follows with upwards of 20 billion views.

Future Trends in the K-Pop Market

Looking ahead, forecasts for the K-pop events market indicate significant growth. Valued at $8.1 billion in 2021, it is projected to reach a staggering $20 billion by 2031, as highlighted by Allied Market Research.

This blend of critical analysis and impressive statistics underscores the complexities and contradictions inherent in the K-pop phenomenon.

Originally published on Music Times

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