Emphasizing 'Total Package' Level Skills, Teamwork, and the Importance of Fandom
Bang Si-hyuk, Chairman of HYBE, is attending the Kwanhoon Forum held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 15th, delivering the keynote speech. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@
"Beyond the limits of K-pop, we will create a new global entertainment paradigm."
Bang Si-hyuk, chairman of HYBE, has set an ambitious goal to go beyond BTS's global success by discovering talent worldwide and training them in the K-pop way to form a global group. Through the global girl group KATSEYE, Chairman Bang has embarked on the first experiment to transplant K-pop’s unique training system into the global market. The KATSEYE project is more than just the birth of a new K-pop group; it serves as a stepping stone to realize Bang Si-hyuk’s grand vision of 'globalizing K-pop.'
One of Chairman Bang’s core philosophies is that K-pop artists should not be mere singers or dancers but comprehensive artists. He emphasizes that artists must possess a well-rounded set of skills including vocals, dance, performance, and star quality. This philosophy is clearly reflected in the Netflix documentary series Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE. He stated, “Not every member can be the best singer and the best dancer, but everyone must reach a certain level to join the team.”
His view that K-pop is a 'total package' combining not only musical talent but also highly polished stage performances and music reflecting global trends was also mentioned in a 2018 TV lecture. This philosophy has played a crucial role in transforming K-pop groups from mere musical collectives into distinct brands.
Chairman Bang places utmost importance on teamwork within K-pop groups. He stresses that in the multi-member band format of K-pop groups, each member must faithfully fulfill their role while cooperating and harmonizing with others. During last year’s KATSEYE auditions, he emphasized the importance of the team and required participants to possess collaborative skills that transcend individual star power.
This teamwork philosophy is gaining attention not only in the Korean K-pop market but also in the global music industry. In particular, K-pop’s synchronized choreography and chemistry among members stem from a training method that emphasizes community over the individual. He is confident that the K-pop style of training can succeed in the American music scene as well and continues efforts to expand it worldwide.
Chairman Bang is also well known for his deep understanding of the importance of fandoms. He says, “There is no artist without fans,” emphasizing that the relationship with fans is a critical factor in an artist’s success. The reason for organizing fan meetings during the KATSEYE auditions, allowing participants to communicate directly with fans in Korea, is because the core of K-pop lies in the bond with fans. Chairman Bang states that communication with fandoms promotes artists’ growth and provides continuous motivation. This is a consistent point he has emphasized to the artists he personally produces.
Artists under HYBE such as BTS, Tomorrow X Together (TXT), and ENHYPEN also prioritize close communication with fans, a philosophy rooted in Chairman Bang’s beliefs. Through social media and fan meetings, he has continuously stressed how important it is for artists to be recognized as significant figures by their fans.
Chairman Bang is pushing globalization not merely by exporting K-pop content but by transplanting the K-pop system itself. This has been one of his long-held goals: to train talents from various countries in the K-pop way and create global groups with them. He is focusing on successfully applying the K-pop production system to the global market through KATSEYE and has stated that this experiment will continue going forward.
Whether Chairman Bang’s vision will elevate K-pop to a prominent position in the global music market and create a new form of global entertainment culture remains to be seen.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
