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The success of BTS and Bang Sihyuk is based on a special way of looking at life that no one else could have imagined or dared to follow. At the 2019 Seoul National University graduation ceremony, he spoke words in a way that sounded like a famous philosopher who once dominated the 20th century.
"I don't have dreams, but I have a lot of dissatisfaction. There's too much compromise in this world. Even though there are definitely better ways to do things, people are afraid to stand out. They find it uncomfortable to create opportunities, they don't want to bothers, they simply accept things as they are. That's just not me"
The interview, which lasted about 2 hours in his office, started with discussions about his speech at Seoul National University graduation ceremony. The interview took place at the HQ of HYBE, located on the 5th floor in Yongsan, where Bang Sihyuk was honored with the Master Category at the 'EY Best Entrepreneur Awards' hosted by EY Korea.
Q: Your speech at Seoul National University graduation ceremony about anger is still a hot topic. When we look at BTS' early music, it seems like there was a lot of anger.
A: I personally think there was definitely anger in BTS' early music. I thought we should talk about the lives we were living at that time. I asked the members, 'Shouldn't we talk about the world you guys are living in?' I thought they should speak about the suffering that young people are experiencing.
Q: Generally, isn't anger something for the non-conformists? It has become mainstream now, does that mean anger has disappeared?
A: I empathize with the idea that anger is for non-conformists. I've actually had that sentiment since I was young. However, just because it has become mainstream, doesn't mean the anger disappears. I believe there are injustices and absurdities in daily life. People tend to ignore them and just move on if they don't have the ability to solve it. I can't stand that. Through music, I'm continuously making efforts to change what I can change.
Q: People said that you dig into the world's hidden sides from a unique perspective.
A: For instance, I often wonder why fans have to wait in long lines overnight at broadcasting stations when the music industry has invested so much money and time already? It all starts from such dissatisfaction. Back then, even those of us in the music industry treated fans as 'overly obsessed.' Fans would wait in line for 8 hours, and suddenly, instead of the person in charge, a part-time worker under the assistant director would come out and ask them to line up again. They've already been waiting for 8 hours. They need to go home. These kinds of incidents happened too frequently. That's what I'm talking about when I say I'm angry, those are the things that made me angry. (This dissatisfaction led to innovations like Weverse)
Q: Although K-pop is at its peak now, some worry about crisis that could strike at any time. Some even say it has already begun.
A: In fact, I often say these days that we need to remove the 'K' from K-pop. I don't think continuing in this way will help the growth of the K-pop industry. K-pop now needs to meet a wider consumer base in a broader market. I believe we need to create more exits and entrances to access globally universal values. If K-pop continues in its current structure, I believe growth will be limited.
Q: When did you feel such crisis?
A: I predicted it would happen last year, now I'm seeing noticeable declines in Southeast Asia. I realize it's very risky.
Q: Could the girl group audition project with Universal Music Group be a response to that?
A: As I mentioned at the management meeting, it's one of various tactics. We need to expand our targets beyond Korea or Asia, targeting individuals from different countries and introducing K-pop through artists other than Korean or Asian teams.
Q: Selecting good artists is important. What are the qualities that make someone a superstar?
A: Star quality is the most important. Defining star quality isn't easy. Having star quality means being able to express oneself well musically and possessing the talent and skills to do so. In the case of K-pop, it means being on the fans' preference lists. That's the charm. And when a company teaches specific skills, it's important whether one can quickly acquire them.
Q: When you watch BTS dance, it seems like they dance until their bones break. How do they become like that? Is it through training?
A: Training can only take you so far, usually up to about a year after debut. To not disappoint fans, artists fundamentally need to be ambitious. Artists who don't strive for success will find it hard to succeed. These things show best on stage. Fans are sensitive to how artists present themselves on stage, and they can tell if someone's not having fun anymore, if they're just in it for the money, or if they're avoiding practice.
BTS members are modest and very down-to-earth, but they have an immense ambition to succeed musically. The stage is where they can showcase that ambition best. They don't want to go on stage without practicing because practice is the source of their confidence.
Q: A certain entrepreneur once said that the difference between first and second place is determination.
A: In the K-pop scene, determination is also an important factor. It's a proof of ambition, recognized by fans. However, determination alone doesn't define the qualities of a first-place artist. For example, some say, "Without diligence, you can't be at the top. It's hard to be at the top." Yet, many people don't practice diligently. This is why defining star quality is difficult, as mentioned earlier.
Q: So, were you born with the ability to recognize star quality?
A: Of course, there may be what's commonly called a natural talent for it. However, training seems to be more important. Being trained under good mentors while observing good stars is crucial. Looking at my own career, I've worked with superstars since I was very young. I was scouted by Park Jin-young and worked in Kim Hyung-seok's office, making music alongside artists like god, Park Ji-yoon, Rain, and others. They were all stars who dominated a generation. A producer who grew up watching such extraordinary artists naturally develops a different eye.
Q: Isn't it scary to run a business?
A: It is. There isn't a single day that I'm not afraid. I have trouble sleeping well. Every day, I feel like tomorrow might fail.
-It feels like everything's falling apart because of you...
-If you're gonna drop the 'K' in K-pop, go do business in the US or something and disappear from the K-pop scene.
-K-pop has become so boring.
-Each interview he did is so deceiving. It's completely opposite to what he's actually doing.
-If you're gonna do pop, why do it in Korea instead of going to the US?
-Stop exploiting K-pop; just do your own thing, HYBE-pop (a.k.a. knockoff).
-Ridiculous.
-Why prioritize determination instead of skill..?
-We've come this far with the "K," why drop it?
-Determination should come naturally, right? And don't people like K-pop because it's K-pop?
-Lee Soo-man stopped his bs, now Bang Si-hyuk is starting his bs.
-Your existence is absurdㅋㅋㅋ Just leave the planet because you're not helpfulㅋㅋㅋ
-Without the 'K', K-pop loses its uniqueness, what nonsense. Then why do people listen to K-pop instead of just pop?
-Please go to the US and leave the K-pop market~
-When selecting artists, it's fine to look for star quality, fan preferences, and charm, but as a singer, at least the minimum basics should be possible. Otherwise, it becomes a puppet show, disappointing.
-It's you who needs to be removed from K-pop.
-Just stop ruining K-pop and leave nowㅠㅠ
-You should leave for K-pop to survive
-Please leave, sir.
-Since when has Bang Si-hyuk ever been a nonconformist? Wasn't he part of the elite class? He's also from a well-off family.
