Kpop has existed for decades and has rapidly grown to become an impressive music genre in the hearts of fans around the world. However, at this period, there are many indicators showing that Kpop is falling into a gradual decline compared to the pop music market in general.

Meanwhile, famous producers or CEOs of major entertainment companies in кσяєα also grasp this issue and have many comments about the future of Kpop. In a recent speech by Bang Si Hyuk, CEO of HYBE suggests removing the "K" from KPOP because of the gradual decline in KPOP's results.

This is a statement that also caused controversy among experts back in the day and now, when Bang PD mentioned this, once again, he faced a lot of criticism from fans:

K-pop "@ttacked" the international market since the 2000s, starting with dominance in the jαpαnese music market, then spreading to East Asian countries. By the mid-2010s and exploding worldwide. world since 2012. K-pop has taken a giant leap forward in the global music industry. A decade has pa̾s̾sed and K-pop shows stronger growth than ever. Now, K-pop is no longer "кσяєαn pop music" but has become a global phenomenon, standing out on the international stage as a new standard and genre of the music industry.

One of the key factors that define K-pop music and the genre's potential for growth is its sensitivity to changing environments and its ability to absorb new sources. Pop music critic Jung Min Jae said: "K-pop has its roots in the early gayo songs (a kσrєαn term for popular music that people sing along to). Its key distinction is the unique melo∂ιєs formed through the melding of various global music trends, such as Western pop and J-pop (̾j̾a̾p̾a̾nese pop), into an original yet contemporary sound."

The K-pop industry has also shown exceptional vigilance in adapting and taking advantage of technological advances to develop a highly profitable business model. According to pop music critic Kim Do Heon, media friendliness is what has made the genre global. Kim Do Heon said: "K-pop adapted fast to the evolution of digital technology, and actively promoted music with a variety of self-produced video content to extend its fan base in the global market. Gradually, K-pop gained recognition around the world as a genre."

However, in a recent speech by Bang Si Hyuk - CEO of HYBE, who was honored in the Master category this year at the ‘EY Entrepreneur Award’, he gave a new opinion on redefining Kpop in the pop music market with the goal of letting this music genre survive. The initial question posed to Bang PD was: "K-pop is at its peak now, but a crisis can come at any time, and some say the crisis has already begun".

Then, he frankly answered: "Actually, I often say that we need to remove the 'K' from K-pop these days. As for whether continuing like the way we are currently doing things will help the growth of the K-pop industry, I doubt so. K-pop now needs to reach a wider consumer base in a wider market. I think we need to create as many exits and entrances as possible to access universal values ​​globally. If K-pop continues with its current structure, I think growth will definitely be limited."

Along with that, the interviewer also mentioned: "When did you feel such a crisis was happening?". Bang PD confessed that: "I expected that to happen last year, but now, seeing the noticeable decline in (KPOP) indicators in Southeast Asia, I can instinctively say we have entered a very dαngєrous space."

Although Bang PD gave his opinion on redefining Kpop, he also encountered many criticisms saying that this could lose the uniqueness of this music genre. There are many mixed comments about Bang PD's opinion:

- The Man and Scooter means business, money at this point because enlistment happening soon! I guess nobody saw coming all this changes and they know some will follow some will resist but they are doing it anyway because they need it, pushing JK as a POP STAR and putting all this

- why is he acting like he was a pioneer of kpop

- KPOP will always be KPOP. It will never change to POP, just like you always did

- Why is he trying to westernize kpop?? It was so good before they catered to the west

- How about we bring back the кσяєαn songs. With korean lyrics. Great songs and singers who can SING THEIR SONGS. Just go away man.

- ...? So why even bother doing KPOP?

- I only like it because of the "K" though

- So just call it pop then.. I'll just leave KPOP then

- I only like it because thee's a "K" though

- But what he says is kinda true..

- What is he blabbing about? Bang Sihyuk needs to cut it down...

- Sigh he makes no senseㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ This is just dumbfounding

- If you read his actual interview, you'll end up agreeing with him, of course from the title, I didn't understand...

- Does he not know why we even like idols in the first place...ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ This also applies to why international fas like them, if not, they will just stan the singers from their own countries

- I can understand to some extent, that KPOP is indeed in an impa̾s̾s right now, but I still don't think removing the "K" from it would solve anything 

- You don't need to remove the K to reach a wider consumer base.... ppl who aren't into kpop aren't not into it because they haven't heard it, they aren't into it because they made a decision that it's just not their taste. Kpop is so accessible these days, this isn't 2012...

- This the best counter to his statement. He seem he can't accept it, the achievement with BTS alone isn't replicable. But he want to replicate it and think the door being open will make it easier. K-pop isn't for everyone. Other company already tried what he doing and they never end up that big. Lightning doesn't strike twice.

- Even my 60+ year old dad knows what kpop is, and he doesn't even live on the internet. All he does is read the paper and watch TV. He's high off the success of BTS and suddenly thinks all kpop groups atm have what it takes to survive globally

- bang pd did admit that he can't replicate bts. tried it twice and failed. if i were him, i'd be worried too. it's a losing battle, but it's business. i guess he's just doing the most he can while bts is still in his company. also, if he does succeed in making kpop mainstream (which is doubtful), not only hybe artists will benefit from it.

- Many kpop listeners aren't really that into western pop music anyway...Again, we need to make kpop a distinct pop music and scene, not making it the same like western pop music...Making kpop the same of them isn't the solution