Despite the many controversies the show is embroiled in, MBC's "I Am a Singer" is a force to be reckoned with on the music charts. Decades-old hits began creeping back into the charts when the show first aired, and now they're just about dominating every position imaginable. This public recognition of veteran talent is long overdue, but music producers aren't at all happy, and are even making claims that the show is "killing the music industry". But why? On March 31st, one producer (who asked to remain anonymous) stated, "Digital songs from 'I Am A Singer' are dominating the live music charts. All comebacks and promotions for new tracks are being buried underneath these old songs on the charts." "I, too, understand the importance of spotlighting talented artists and bringing back hit tracks from the past, but if 'I Am a Singer' continues to distribute the songs digitally for profit, it will put the industry in crisis." Another industry representative also spoke up on the matter, beginning with an acknowledgement of the positives. "In an industry that's so heavily concentrated on dance and idol music, it's encouraging that 'I Am a Singer' is promoting a sense of change. Such talented artists are only known by few these days. Introducing hit tracks from the past and giving spotlight to deserving and talented artists to better introduce them to the mainstream industry is a fantastic deed." "However," he continued, "It's different when the broadcast company is taking a large portion of the profit made from those digital sales. I hope that a program with such good intentions won't become tainted." Viewers and netizens have also been keeping close tabs on the phenomenon, with many criticizing idol group producers for "whining" about their positions on the charts now that talent has emerged. Netizens raged, "Idol groups used to dominate the charts, and now that they can't, these producers are all rushing to do whatever it takes to get money in their pockets" and "I don't understand why these producers are complaining now when they're the ones that ruined the industry by forcing the monotony of their idol groups onto it." Other netizens retorted, "Whether it's an idol or a talented artist, it is a bit severe that everyone is being pushed off the charts because of this show" and "The show should re-invest the money that's being made from the shows into public interest or in improving the music industry." On the income distribution for the songs, MBC explained, "60% of the profit goes to the distributor and copyright holder. 10% of the remaining 40% is split into donations for the improvement of the music industry. Whatever's left is divided 5:5 amongst the singers and us." KMP Holdings, a music and broadcasting organization that SM, JYP, and YG Entertainment are all a part of, will be holding a meeting at 5 PM KST on March 31st to come up with a statement against MBC releasing "I Am A Singer" covers into digital songs. Source: Sports Today via Nate, Herald News