The ballad genre, once a dominant force in the Korean music industry, is facing a crisis due to the popularity of K-pop idols and trot singers. 

New ballad songs struggle to gain traction on the music charts, prompting existing ballad singers to explore alternative paths such as venturing into new genres or releasing remakes of 'proven' old hits.

Among the top 20 songs on the Circle Chart Monthly Digital Chart for May 2023, only three tracks were of the ballad genre. Huh Gak's "With You" ranked 14th place, Parc Jae Jung's "Let's Say Goodbye" ranked 16th, and Lim Jae Hyun's "Heaven" ranked 20th place. Interestingly, only one of these songs was new, while the other two were remakes of classic songs.

Comparing the present with a decade ago, the number of ballad songs occupying top chart positions has decreased by half, and new ballad songs are virtually non-existent. 

In their place, songs like IVE's "I AM" (1st place) and "Kitsch" (3rd place), LE SSERAFIM's "UNFORGIVEN" (2nd place), aespa's "Spicy" (4th place) and BLACKPINK Jisoo's "Flower" (5th place)  have filled the charts. Notably, these tracks are mostly from girl groups.

This phenomenon is attributed to fandoms streaming their favorite idols' tracks on various streaming platforms, with overseas platforms such as YouTube Music and Spotify gaining popularity. One industry official explained, "A lot of the general public listeners moved over to using YouTube Music and Spotify, and the Korean streaming platforms are mostly used by fandoms. It's a system in which it's nearly impossible for ballad singers who lack a solid fandom to prosper and rely on the general public listening preferences."

Furthermore, some music experts analyze that the sentimental preferences of the main consumer base - listeners in their teens to 30s - have changed compared to the 1990s and the 2000s, which was the heyday for ballad songs. These experts say that the younger generation these days seems less interested in the sentimental emotions of passionate and tender love, which are the main message for traditional ballad songs. For example, the younger generation is unable to empathize with Jo Sung Mo's "To Heaven," which is a song that promises eternal love that will continue even in the afterlife.

Girl groups like IVE, LE SSERAFIM, and (G)I-DLE which have gained significant popularity, focus more on messages of self-confidence rather than love. The changing cultural environment and shifting societal values have also contributed to this shift in music preference. One CEO of a music label explained, "Compared to the past, the consumers from the teenage age group to the age group in their 30s are less interested in love or dating. There have been cultural and societal value changes which have dried up the sentimental emotions in general."

In a recent interview with Yonhap News, Paul Kim, known for his ballad hits, acknowledged that this shift is an inevitable social phenomenon. He expressed, "I think this is an inevitable social phenomenon. There is a saying 'Ballad sells better when there is a good economy.' I believe people prefer not to listen to moody ballad songs (with solemn themes) during difficult times, making it more emotionally hard, so there is a desire for lighter, more uplifting music."

As a result, there has been a significant increase in the number of remakes of successful ballad hits being released. Songs like Huh Gak's With You" is a remake of KCM's song, Lim Jae Hyun's "Heaven" is a remake of Kim Hyun Sung's song, and Lim Young Woong's "Love Always Flees" is a remake of Lee Moon Sae's song. Likewise, there are countless remake songs that have been released over the recent years.

In an attempt to adapt to the changing music landscape, some ballad singers are venturing into different genres. For example, Kim Jae Hwan, formerly a member of the group Wanna One, known for his ballad songs, released his 6th mini album this month, which features an intense dance track called "Lucky!" During a recent showcase, he expressed that this transformation feels like a new debut as a solo singer, highlighting the need to reinvent oneself in the industry.

Representatives from famous ballad singers' agencies are also considering exploring genres such as folk or rock for future comebacks, rather than sticking to the traditional ballad style.

In conclusion, the ballad genre in the Korean music industry is facing a crisis due to the overwhelming popularity of K-pop idols and trot singers. Ballad singers are struggling to compete on the charts, leading them to explore new genres or release remakes of proven hits. The rise of fandom-driven streaming platforms and shifting societal values have contributed to the decline of ballads' popularity, making it necessary for artists to adapt and reinvent themselves to stay relevant in the industry.