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Hi. I’m an anonymous representative for K-pop lyricists. As a fan who loves K-pop, I was asked by some K-pop lyricists to make a public post on Twitter. Please understand that this has to be done anonymously due to the risks of being accused of defamation. https://twitter.com/F0UUKo7bi4Npu0X/status/1376472328008212481
There is not a single lie in what I’m about to write below. These are all facts. #Kpop 
Did you know that most K-pop lyricists have a main job apart from participating in the works of popular singers? This is because it’s impossible to maintain a living only by writing songs.
Did you know that most K-pop lyricists have a main job apart from participating in the works of popular singers? This is because it’s impossible to maintain a living only by writing songs.
It is also true that those who didn’t participate in writing the song are often registered as its lyricists. Such structural issues naturally ruin the quality of K-pop and the enthusiasm of those who are a part of it.
Currently, writing for K-pop songs happens in teams. These ‘teams’ are mostly academies.
Aspiring lyricists dreaming to write K-pop songs are given their chances with a demo track,
only after paying 300 to 400 thousand won a month for 10 months of lessons.
Aspiring lyricists dreaming to write K-pop songs are given their chances with a demo track,
only after paying 300 to 400 thousand won a month for 10 months of lessons.
K-pop lyricists cannot write a song if they are not given a demo. (Some academies ask for cash-only lesson fees. When asked for a cash receipt, they refuse to give one. This is a clear case of tax evasion.)
As mentioned above the academy is in a favorable position. After receiving lyrics from
every student, they choose ones they like best to assemble and edit them together. In the
process, lyricists have no way of knowing who wrote what, or how much of the work they
participated in.
every student, they choose ones they like best to assemble and edit them together. In the
process, lyricists have no way of knowing who wrote what, or how much of the work they
participated in.
Even when the names of those who didn’t join in writing are listed. K-pop agencies and entertainments pay the academy for writing the lyrics. However,
academies rarely pay the songwriters who participated, nor tell them about the money.
academies rarely pay the songwriters who participated, nor tell them about the money.
20 to 40% of the copyright fees of the lyricist are taken by the academy under a ‘publishing
contract.’ The academy is also the one deciding the share for a lyricist’s copyright fees.
contract.’ The academy is also the one deciding the share for a lyricist’s copyright fees.
Regardless of how much the lyricist writes for the work, they have to accept the rates offered by the academy. Most of the time, lyricists have no idea whether they participated in a project or not.
They also have to check their shares through the copyright association after registering for it. Can
you believe that most of them don’t even get the albums that they participated in? Lyricists are only used as supplementary parts.
you believe that most of them don’t even get the albums that they participated in? Lyricists are only used as supplementary parts.
Some academies only sign full-time contracts with lyricists who participate in more than 10
songs. Of course, completing 10 songs is also up to the academy.
songs. Of course, completing 10 songs is also up to the academy.
The number of debuting lyricists continues to rise despite this because academies try to debut as many of them as
possible. Despite their careers. That is how academies gain their reputation as a skilled school that helped many
songwriters to debut, and thus more students apply.
possible. Despite their careers. That is how academies gain their reputation as a skilled school that helped many
songwriters to debut, and thus more students apply.
As a result, many K-pop songs are created with the academy’s interests, regardless of their quality. Amongst everyone, some are listed on the credits every time. I assume you can imagine what position they have.
They put their names on the credit without participating in songwriting, or by correcting one or two letters. Ghost lyricists are not only within academies. There are structural reasons why academies monopolize demo tracks.
Many K-pop lyricists tell me that they don’t even want money at this point but at least hope
to be rightfully credited. That the song they write will be recognized as their own creative
work.
to be rightfully credited. That the song they write will be recognized as their own creative
work.
A huge part of K-pop lyricists is suffering from the difficulties of their double lives, and the self-esteem that is on the floor because the academy abuses power.
K-pop lyricists are currently doing their bests to improve the quality of songs. But in the ongoing structure, their efforts cannot be properly conveyed.
If you love K-pop, and you want those who make K-pop to be given fair pays and rights, please share this. If anyone wants to write articles on this, send an email to the address in my bio. I hope for many K-pop staff members to get the spotlight and reputation they deserve.
