In the world of K-pop, to non-fans, it is often assumed that idols lack creative control over their music, but that is not necessarily always the case. Some idols were heavily involved in the songwriting process, music video production and choreography from the very beginning, while others earned their place through hard work and dedication.
Still, there is some truth to these claims that certain artists are not given much freedom, as record labels often have a specific image and sound prepared for them. In a recent livestream, NCT member Haechan (해찬) revealed that he was not even allowed to preview some of the music written for him until the day of recording. Here’s what he said:
Over the weekend, NCT member Haechan held a livestream on Weverse where he updated fans on his well-being as well as his solo album, released earlier this month. During the broadcast, the singer made a revelation that appeared to confirm a long-held suspicion among fans. He claimed that SM Entertainment operates a pre-selected track confirmation system for its idols without properly consulting them.
“I really don’t like that. Why do I have to do only the songs they picked without hearing them myself? That was my first frustration,” he said. The idol went on to reveal that he had to secretly meet with the A&R team to listen to the tracks, one of which later made it onto the album. After much convincing, he was able to shape the record the way he wanted. However, the confrontation did not come without consequences, as the CEO reprimanded the NCT member for his so-called “stubbornness”.
The incident sparked outrage among fans, with many criticising the agency for denying their artists creative freedom over their music, especially those who have been in the industry for a while. Others, however, praised Haechan for his determination in taking control of the project. A few questioned the label’s decision-making process when it comes to their idols’ albums.
In the end, Haechan was thankfully able to produce his solo album the way he envisioned it. His revelation, however, has sparked wider discussion about how much control K-pop idols really have over their own music. Hopefully, things would improve in the future, and all artists would be allowed freedom to be involved in their own projects.
Source: Twitter
