Bang PD responds to questions on ‘Next BTS’, use of AI, girl groups, K-pop’s slowing growth

By India Today Entertainment DeskHYBE chairman, Bang Si-hyuk aka Bang PD, is the man who found and mentored the supergroup BTS. Also a songwriter and producer, Bang PD dons several hats with impeccable precision. In a new interview, he has addressed several plans for the multibillion company to expand their markets in local pop, the redundant discussion over the ‘next BTS’ and if artificial intelligence will pose a threat to the existing system. He also spoke about K-pop’s slow decline in Southeast Asia and if girl groups can compete with the big bands in terms of the economics of the company.

ON POSSIBILITY OF CREATING BTS AGAIN?

Debunking any discussion over ‘NEXT BTS’, Bang PD has put the record straight in an interview with Billboard. He said, “ If your question is about the possibility of creating an artist like BTS again, the answer is no.” He, however, added that the company is making sure to create a K-pop artist from HYBE that can top the charts.

Bang PD acknowledged that BTS has become more than a K-pop band and hence, them being inactive as a group has definitely led to a slowdown in K-pop consumption, especially in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia has always been a huge market for K-pop in the world. “The fact that BTS is currently not active has an impact. But when it comes to the sluggish growth of K-pop in the Southeast Asian market, I think there must be a particular reason.” He cited that society might be going through a cultural shift in preference and consumption which HYBE is currently researching about.

READ | K-pop groups lose blue tick on Twitter. Not even BTS is exempted. ARMY has the best reactions

ROLE OF AI IN FUTURE

He also spoke about the increased discussion around artificial intelligence. He said that he, along with HYBE, has been working on a project that can integrate AI as well. “ I have long doubted that the entities that create and produce music will remain human. I don’t know how long human artists can be the only ones to satisfy human needs and human tastes. And that’s becoming a key factor for my operation and a strategy for HYBE. We were able to acquire a company, Supertone, that can clone voice completely,” Bang PD mentioned. The producer disclosed that the small-time project is called Project L, which is reportedly in the pilot stage as yet.

GIRL GROUPS PEAKING

He also dabbled with the increase in popularity of girl groups. He said that the success can be seen as a growing trend of women-supporting-women culture. However, can they surpass the boy groups in terms of revenue is yet to be seen. Bang PD shared, “ The streak of success of girl groups has just opened its first chapter, and they are yet to generate revenue that is comparable to that of the boy groups. And there’s no definite correlation between artists gaining popularity and fandoms’ willingness to spend money.”

HYBE has managed to introduce two girl groups in the last two years, itself under different groups acquired by them. Le Sserafim under SOURCE MUSIC and New Jeans under ADOR.