Music programs of South Korea explained

Music programs of South Korea are broadcast weekly, with different artists performing on the shows to promote their music.[1]

South Korea's largest broadcasting companies each have their own show, which are broadcast on different channels. SBS has Inkigayo, KBS has Music Bank, MBC has Show! Music Core (also known simply as Music Core), Mnet has M Countdown, MBC M has Show Champion and SBS MTV has The Show.

Music programs

Current

Past music programs

Performances

Artists commonly pre-record performances and appear live on the show for interviews and the ending of the show, where the week's winning artist is announced. For all music shows, artists accumulate points from the previous week for them to be nominated for first place in the next.[22]

They also use music programs to promote. 'Debut stage' is the term used for artists who perform on the shows for the first time, usually serving as their first live performance when they debut as an artist. On the other hand, a 'comeback stage' is the term used for the first performance of the artist on the shows with their new songs and the start of a new promotional cycle, after the end of their debut cycle.[23]

Fans are also allowed to attend pre-recordings and live shows to support the artists for free if they apply for tickets on each of the show's websites, with the condition that they don't record or take photos during the recording. Fans who disobey these rules will be banned from the show, along with fellow fans who came to support the group.[24]

Show! Music Cores lip-sync ban

During an interview with 'Music Core' CP Park Hyun Suk on July 1, 2014, he was reported to have told Munhwa Ilbo, "We will not allow people who are not equipped with the basics as a singer to perform on stage. Even if one's individual part is short, that is fine. The singers who perform on stage must sing." He argues that this is to discourage groups who record almost 100% of their music for the shows, to determine the truly talented idol groups.[25]

Chart systems

A crucial element of each music program in South Korea is that every program has a voting system. Each program has different ways to count the votes and decide the winning artist of the week, so the possibilities of an artist winning is different for every program. Billboard reasoned that it is so that the music show scene "doesn't feel static", wherein the result would be the same for each show. While most programs prioritize digital sales, they differ in other areas such as SNS points, physical sales, broadcast points, live votes, etc. For instance, for some time, Music Bank's K-Chart included the song's physical sales in their computation, while SBS' Inkigayos chart did not. Because an artist must accumulate points during the first week of promotions, they are not eligible to win on music shows in first week and may only be included in the music charts since and include the second week.

Paul Han, who is a co-owner of the English-language K-pop blog Allkpop claims that it is gratifying for dedicated fans of these artists to watch these music shows when their favorite artists win because of the presence of an actual trophy and an encore stage. Han said that "It's just much more satisfactory to receive a big trophy with all of your peers around. In a way, it's sort of like a mini-music award show every week, and only one can be the winner".

Music programChannelDayChart systemCondition to be ranked
The ShowSBS M(formerly SBS MTV)Tuesday
  • Pre-score: Total 90% (Digital (downloads and streaming) (40%), album sales (10%), music video views (20%), broadcast (15%), Starpass pre-voting (5%))
  • For The Show Choice nominees only: Starpass live voting 10%
Attend on broadcast date. Exception: Loona on July 13, 2021, due to COVID-19 quarantine.
Show ChampionMBC M(formerly MBC Music)WednesdayDigital (streaming + downloads) (35%) + Album sales (15%), Pre-voting (Idol Champ) (20%), broadcast score (20%), SNS (10%)[26] As long as this songs in vote list. Songs that have already got triple crown are not eligible
M CountdownMnetThursdayDigital (streaming + downloads) (45%), album sales (15%), music video views (15%), Pre-voting (a sum of pre-votes on Mwave, Whosfan, Mnet and Mnet Japan) (15%), broadcast score (10%), live text voting (10%) (weekly 1st place chart nominees only)[27] Must promote for at least one music show in either that week or the weeks before. Songs that have already got triple crown are not eligible
Music BankKBSFridayDigital (streaming + downloads) (65%), album sales (5%), KBS broadcast score (KBS2 (TV) and KBS Cool FM and KBS Happy FM (radio)) (20%), panel survey (10%)[28] Top 200 of at least one of five charts that Music Bank use
ShowMusic CoreMBCSaturday
  • Pre-score: Total 90% (Digital Sales 50%, Album Sales 10%, Music Video Views 10%, Viewers Committee Pre-voting (by 2,000 people) 5%, MBC Radio Broadcast 10%, Global Fans Vote 5%)
  • For 1st place nominees only: Mubeat live voting 5%. Audience Live Voting 5%
New songs within two months, since release date (example: If a song released at 2 January then it will be not eligible after 2 March). Songs that have already got quintuple crown are not eligible[29]
InkigayoSBSSundayDigital (streaming + downloads) (55%), SNS (YouTube views) (30%), album sales (10%), advance viewer votes (5%), On-Air (10%), live-vote (5%; for 1st place nominees only)[30] [31] Songs that have already got triple crown are not eligible. Digital requirements is currently unknown

Chart records

In 2012, Psy's "Gangnam Style" won on Music Bank for a record ten consecutive weeks,[36] surpassing the previous record of nine consecutive wins by Girls' Generation's "Gee" in 2009.[37]

In September 2015, Girls' Generation became the first artist in South Korea to accumulate a total of 100 wins on music shows.[38]

BTS currently holds the record for most awarded song with "Dynamite", released in August 2020. The song won the first-place award for a total of 32 times.[39] The group also holds the record for the most first-place wins in a year as they won a total of 50 times, and won on Show! Music Core for a record 16 consecutive weeks (10 with Dynamite and 6 with Life Goes On) in 2020.[40] [41] [42] [43]

International impact

According to Caitlin Kelley of Billboard, South Korean music shows have incorporated international participation through social networking sites such as YouTube, which has been integrated into their voting system with the views of an artist's music video. She also credits these music shows for their participation in the globalization of K-pop. Every music program has its own regularly updated YouTube account, which allows persons outside of South Korea the opportunity to view the artists' performance, thereby offering a larger exposure of K-pop acts to other parts of the world. In a 2018 interview with Billboard, Dr. Suk-Young Kim, a professor at the University of California, claimed that "YouTube is how you circulate yourself internationally" but outside of the website, South Korean music had already reached overseas fans directly by "bringing those music chart shows overseas and creating a live concert out of them", citing Music Bank which has gone on world tours since 2011 as an example. Kim also mentioned KCON, a music festival organized by M Countdown, as a means to showcase "every element of Hallyu encompassing pop music, TV dramas, movies, fashion, food, and beauty".

Controversies

Live Music Camp incident

Notes and References

  1. Web site: How to apply for K-Pop Music Shows . Visit Korea . October 17, 2014 . June 27, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150627191445/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/CU/CU_EN_8_7_2_1.jsp . dead .
  2. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=001&aid=0000991553. ko:KBS '뮤직뱅크', SBS '인기가요'와 맞불. KBS "Music Bank" and SBS "Popular Songs". Seok. Jae-hyun. May 2, 2005. Yonhap News. ko. August 15, 2021. Naver. August 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210815101559/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=001&aid=0000991553. live.
  3. Web site: 노정의·서범준·연준, 오늘(3일) '인기가요' MC 신고식. Noh Jeong-eui·Seo Beom-jun·Yeonjun, Today(3rd) 'Inkigayo' MC. Naver. YTN. ko. Kwak. Hyeon-su. April 3, 2022. April 3, 2022. April 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220403054733/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=052&aid=0001721308. live.
  4. Web site: Seung-hoon. Lee. [단독]케플러 김채현, '더쇼' 새 MC 확정..'걸스플래닛999' 1위의 대세 행보]. [Exclusive] Kepler Kim Chae-hyun, 'The Show' new MC confirmed... 'Girls Planet 999' trending. 2022-01-10. n.news.naver.com. ko. 2022-01-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20220110063454/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0004538954. live.
  5. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0003875745. ko:[단독] '주간아이돌', 水오후 5시로 편성 이동.."오리지널 콘텐츠 강화". [Exclusive] Weekly Idol, moving to 5 p.m. "Enhancing Original Content". Yoo. Ji-hye. October 4, 2018. Osen. ko. August 15, 2021. Naver. August 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210815102844/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0003875745. live.
  6. Web site: https://www.mk.co.kr/news/entertain/view/2019/04/203533/. ko:이대휘-한현민 '엠카운트다운' 고정 MC 발탁. Lee Dae-hwi and Han Hyun-min selected as fixed MCs for 'M Countdown'. Park. Se-yeon. April 3, 2019. Maeil Economic Daily. ko. August 15, 2021. October 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211018002939/https://www.mk.co.kr/news/entertain/view/2019/04/203533/. live.
  7. Web site: Park . Sang-hoo . January 10, 2024 . 새롭게 바뀐 '엠카'…MC·로고·차트·무대 전격 리뉴얼 : 네이트 연예 . The new ‘M Countdown’… MC, logo, chart, and stage renewal . January 12, 2024 . 모바일 네이트 뉴스 . ko.
  8. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0001298491. ko:있지, 브레이브걸스 제치고 1위…오마이걸·NCT DREAM 컴백(뮤직뱅크)[종합]. ITZY, beat Brave Girls for 1st place... Oh My Girl and NCT Dream comeback (Music Bank) [General]. Kang. Hyun-jin. May 14, 2021. X Sports News. ko. August 15, 2021. Naver. August 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210815114320/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0001298491. live.
  9. Web site: ko:문상민, '뮤뱅' MC 합류...홍은채와 호흡, 송중기→박보검 잇는다 [공식입장]. Moon Sang-min joins as 'Music Bank' MC...Working with Hong Eun-chae, Song Joong-ki→Park Bo-gum [Official Statement]. https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/311/0001730324. Naver. Newsen. ko. Lee. Ye-jin. May 27, 2024. May 28, 2024.
  10. Web site: Park. Ah-reum. https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202209210915101910. ko:JTBC ‘뮤직 유니버스 K-909’는 무엇이 다를까. What's different about JTBC's 'Music Universe K-909'. Newsen. September 21, 2022. October 5, 2022. October 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221005163358/https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202209210915101910. live.
  11. Web site: Lee. Min-ji. https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202208261305282410. ko:보아, JTBC 새 음악프로 ‘뮤직 유니버스 K-909’ MC 확정 [공식]. BoA confirmed as MC for JTBC's new music program 'Music Universe K-909' [Official]. Newsen. August 26, 2022. October 4, 2022. October 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221004055404/https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202208261305282410. live.
  12. Web site: '17년' 역사의 가요 프로그램, 마지막 방송 보니…. JoongAng Ilbo. December 10, 2017. January 17, 2017. ko. December 10, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171210015837/http://news.joins.com/article/21133857. live.
  13. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=408&aid=0000130427. ko:NCT 정우-Stray Kids 리노, '쇼! 음악중심' MC 발탁. NCT Jungwoo-Stray Kids Lee Know, Picked as MC for "Show! Music Core".. Kim. Hye-young. August 9, 2021. MBC Entertainment News. ko. August 15, 2021. Naver. October 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211009075647/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=408&aid=0000130427. live.
  14. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=016&aid=0000643949. ko:권소현, 인상 찌푸려도 귀여워 "'미쳐' 포미닛 나는 권소현". Kwon So-hyun is cute even when she frowns. "'Crazy' 4Minute Kwon So-hyun".. Jeon. Yoon-hee. February 23, 2015. Herald Economy. ko. August 15, 2021. Naver. August 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210815131419/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=016&aid=0000643949. live.
  15. Web site: 이대휘, '심플리 케이팝 콘투어' 새 MC 확정 . 2023-02-15 . n.news.naver.com . ko . 2023-02-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230215182513/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/015/0004669605 . live .
  16. Web site: MBC프로이름한글로. Dong a Ilbo. December 10, 2017. October 11, 1990. ko. July 20, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200720065202/https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.nhn?articleId=1990110900209209005&editNo=2&printCount=1&publishDate=1990-11-09&officeId=00020&pageNo=9&printNo=21294&publishType=00020. live.
  17. Web site: TV쇼프로 10代(대)취향 벗어난다. Dong a Ilbo. December 10, 2017. April 23, 1993. ko. July 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200719232507/https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.nhn?articleId=1993042200209121001&editNo=40&printCount=1&publishDate=1993-04-22&officeId=00020&pageNo=21&printNo=22149&publishType=00010. live.
  18. Web site: SBS 가족중심 교양프로 늘린다 18일부터 봄철 프로개편 단행. Kyunghyang Shinmun. December 10, 2017. April 14, 1994. ko. July 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200719232429/https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.nhn?articleId=1994041400329114007&editNo=15&printCount=1&publishDate=1994-04-14&officeId=00032&pageNo=14&printNo=15056&publishType=00010. live.
  19. Web site: 연예계"IMF가 무섭네요". Dong a Ilbo. December 10, 2017. February 3, 1998. ko. July 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200721012022/https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.nhn?articleId=1998020300209136001&editNo=45&printCount=1&publishDate=1998-02-03&officeId=00020&pageNo=36&printNo=23783&publishType=00010. live.
  20. News: Naked Bodies Shown for Five Seconds on Live TV . . October 18, 2014 . August 1, 2005 . October 24, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141024004022/http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2005080118148 . live .
  21. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=213&aid=0000169726. ko:'뮤직온탑', '엠카운트다운'에 참패 차트제 통할까. Will 'Music On Top' and 'M Countdown' work through the chart system?. Seo. Mi-yeon. January 5, 2012. TV Report. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210918054327/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=213&aid=0000169726. September 18, 2021. live. September 18, 2021. Naver.
  22. Kelley. Caitlin. How Korean Music Shows Diverged From MTV and Became the Epicenter of K-Pop Fan Culture. Billboard . October 9, 2019.
  23. News: Ramstad. Evan. Korea Counts Down Not Just To New Year, But to New Girls' Album. The Wall Street Journal. October 19, 2015. One of the unique things about album releases by K-pop artists is that they are routinely called 'comebacks' even when there's been no evidence that the musician or group went away or, in the conventional sports usage of the term, experienced a setback or loss.. June 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130606142118/https://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2012/12/31/korea-counts-down-not-just-to-new-year-but-to-new-girls-album/. dead.
  24. Web site: EXO Fans Banned from Entering 'Inkigayo' . enewsWorld . May 18, 2016 . August 5, 2013 . July 19, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160719064645/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/42588/exo-fans-are-not-allowed-in-inkigayo . dead .
  25. Web site: 'Music Core' to Ban Lip Syncing . Newsen . May 18, 2016 . July 1, 2014 . June 4, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160604173843/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/69674/music-core-wont-let-singers-lip-sync-anymore . dead .
  26. Web site: SHOW CHAMPION 342회. www.mbcplus.com. ko. March 14, 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200314084824/https://m.mbcplus.com/web/program/contentView.do?searchCondition=001005&seq=12799&pageIndex=1&searchKeyword=&programMenuSeq=178&programInfoSeq=67. March 14, 2020.
  27. Web site: M COUNTDOWN Chart . . August 30, 2015 . August 27, 2015 . April 25, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180425211554/http://mwave.interest.me/mcountdown/vote/mcdChart . dead .
  28. Web site: [Oh!쎈 초점] '뮤직뱅크' 해외 팬만 중요? 시청자 의견에 귀 닫았나 ]. September 1, 2015 . Chosun . April 10, 2015 . ko . October 28, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151028025431/http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2015/04/10/2015041003723.html . live .
  29. Web site: 게시판 쇼! 음악중심 GO! MBC. 2021-02-22. iMBC. ko. 2022-04-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20220421051806/https://program.imbc.com/BBS/musiccore?bbs_id=music_bbs. live.
  30. Web site: ko:인기가요 차트 공지사항 – 2/3방송부터 적용. https://programs.sbs.co.kr/enter/gayo/board/54771/?cmd=view&board_no=214&board_notice=Y. Seoul Broadcasting System. January 5, 2020. ko. May 23, 2018. January 12, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210112010252/https://programs.sbs.co.kr/enter/gayo/board/54771/?cmd=view&board_no=214&board_notice=Y. live.
  31. Web site: SBS 인기가요. 2021-02-15. SBS. ko. 2022-03-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20220327144457/https://m.programs.sbs.co.kr/enter/gayo/board/54771?cmd=view&page=1&board_no=4630&board_notice=Y. live.
  32. Web site: "Music Core" to Abolish Ranking System and Incorporate More Diverse Music . Soompi . December 14, 2015 . November 13, 2015 . December 18, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151218200703/http://www.soompi.com/2015/11/13/music-core-to-abolish-ranking-system-and-incorporate-more-diverse-music/ . live .
  33. Web site: [단독] '음악중심', 순위제 부활시킨다.."22일부터 시행"]. Seon. Mi Kyung. April 5, 2017. Osen. https://web.archive.org/web/20170816053817/http://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0003511064. August 16, 2017. dead.
  34. News: SBS 'Inkigayo' Announces New Ranking System for Music Chart. kpopstarz.com. February 9, 2017. March 13, 2013. February 11, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075715/http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/22640/20130313/sbs-inkigayo-announces-new-ranking-system-for-music-chart.htm. live.
  35. News: 슈퍼주니어-M 조미, 투도우와 함께하는 '더쇼 시즌4' MC 발탁. ko. Seoul Broadcasting System. February 9, 2017. October 27, 2014. February 11, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080900/http://program.sbs.co.kr/builder/verticalEndpage.do?pgm_id=22000006194&pgm_mnu_id=27806&pgm_build_id=7401&pageIdx=54&bbsCd=pt_thwshow10&searchCondition=title&searchKeyword=&contNo=273. live.
  36. Web site: http://www.obsnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=677669 . ko:뮤직뱅크 새해 첫 1위, 싸이 '강남스타일' 16주 동안 정상 . OBS news staff . . OBS Gyeongin TV . January 4, 2012 . February 9, 2017 . ko . December 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211210114120/http://www.obsnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=677669 . live .
  37. News: Girls Generation to Return With New Album. June 15, 2009. The Korea Times. February 9, 2017. February 1, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160201014822/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2009/06/135_46836.html. live.
  38. Web site: 이승환·소녀시대, 한국 가요사에 이름 새기다 . August 25, 2016 . Kim Won-gyeom . dongA . September 21, 2015 . ko . March 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190330213629/http://news.donga.com/View?gid=73762063&date=20150921 . live .
  39. Web site: http://www.mydaily.co.kr/new_yk/html/read.php?newsid=202103051852962825. ko:방탄소년단, '뮤뱅'에서 또!…'다이너마이트' 통산 32번째 음악방송 1위 [종합]. BTS, 'Music Bank' again!... 'Dynamite' ranked first on the 32nd total music broadcast. Park. Yoon-jin. March 5, 2021. My Daily. ko. https://archive.today/20210305142230/http://www.mydaily.co.kr/new_yk/html/read.php?newsid=202103051852962825. March 5, 2021. live. March 5, 2021.
  40. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0002852087. ko:'쇼음악중심' BTS, 활동 종료에도 1위 '16관왕'..강다니엘·옹성우 컴백[종합]. 'Show Music Core' BTS, No. 1 at the end of the activity '16 Crowns'.. Kang Daniel·Ong Seong-woo Comeback. Han. Hae-sun. Star Today. March 28, 2020. ko. November 7, 2020. Naver. April 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230414205202/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0002852087. live.
  41. Web site: Jeong. Hye-yeon. December 11, 2020. ko:'뮤직뱅크' 방탄소년단, '다이너마이트' 27관왕 성공..아이즈원→원위 컴백[종합]. 'Music Bank' BTS succeeded in 27 crowns of 'Dynamite'.. https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/112/0003376472. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201211094155/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/112/0003376472. December 11, 2020. December 11, 2020. Herald POP. ko. Naver.
  42. Web site: December 29, 2020. ko:12월 4주순위 순위. Music Bank ranking for the fourth week of December. http://pbbs.kbs.co.kr/general/read.html?bbs_id=T2000-0027-04-641103&id=1003310&post_no=419&page=1&post_header=#report. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210105083415/http://pbbs.kbs.co.kr/general/read.html?bbs_id=T2000-0027-04-641103&id=1003310&post_no=419&page=1&post_header=#report. January 5, 2021. December 29, 2020. KBS Music Bank. ko.
  43. Web site: Park. Panseok. December 13, 2020. ko:'인기가요' 방탄소년단, '1위 고즈 온' 어느새 6관왕..아이즈원 컴백 [종합]. 'Inkigayo' BTS, 'No. 1 Life Goes On', 6 crowns.. https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0004325471. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201213142532/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0004325471. December 13, 2020. December 13, 2020. Osen. ko. Naver.