Will K-pop's AI experiment pay off?

K-pop band Seventeen is now using AI, admits member Woozi. The band sold around 16 million albums last year, making them one of the most successful K-pop acts in history. Their new album, Maestro, has an AI-generated scene in the music video and might have AI-generated lyrics too. Woozi said they are experimenting with AI to develop along with technology. Some fans are worried about AI taking away the personal touch of the music, while others are open to it if it helps artists overcome creative blocks. Ashley Peralta, a super fan, says she loves it when music reflects an artist's emotions. She worries that AI can take away that connection between fans and artists. Ashley and her friend Chelsea Toledo run a K-pop podcast. Chelsea admires Seventeen for writing their own songs and choreographing their dances. She is worried that AI might affect their reputation. For those working in K-pop production, it is no surprise that artists are embracing new technologies. Chris Nairn, a producer and songwriter, says the Korean music industry is very progressive. He has worked with K-pop artists for 12 years and says Koreans are big on innovation. Chris thinks AI lyrics are not strong enough for top artists. He predicts that AI will increase the demand for more personal songs. Seventeen is not the only K-pop band using AI. Girl group Aespa also used AI in their latest music video. Chelsea says it triggered a lot of people because K-pop is known for amazing production and editing. She also worries about artists not getting the right credit. Arpita Adhya, a music journalist, says the use of AI shows the pressure artists are under to create new content. She believes AI has been normalised in the industry. Arpita wants to see regulations on AI use in music. Western artists like Billie Eilish and Nicki Minaj have also called for regulations. Arpita hopes K-pop artists will listen to their fans and make changes if they realize they are hurting them. The use of AI in K-pop is a hot topic right now. Some fans are excited about the possibilities, while others are worried about losing the personal touch that makes the music special. It will be interesting to see how this technology continues to shape the industry in the future.