How AI is Disrupting K-pop: An Alarming Study reveals the Big Financial Impact on Artists

AKP STAFF

A new study by musicMagpie has shed light on the growing influence of artificial intelligence in the music industry, particularly how it's affecting K-pop artists. The study, titled "Bop or Bot?," analyzed nearly 1,500 AI-generated covers and songs, exposing shocking statistics on streaming numbers and financial losses.

AI is Targeting K-pop Artists

According to the study, K-pop is one of the most impacted genres, with 35% of the most-streamed plagiarized AI voices being K-pop artists. The group hit hardest by AI-generated music is BLACKPINK, who have accumulated over 17.3 million views on AI covers. Songs like "Batter Up" and "SHEESH" have racked up millions of views, affecting the group’s earnings.

Other K-pop stars, including Jimin, Jennie, and Stray Kids, have each seen over half a million streams from unauthorized AI covers, contributing to considerable revenue loss. BLACKPINK alone is estimated to have lost £376,184.85 (418,000 USD) from these AI-generated versions of their songs.

Financial Impact of AI-Generated Music

K-pop artists are among those most financially affected by AI covers. The study estimates a total revenue loss of over £10.7 million (11.9 million USD) for artists worldwide due to unauthorized AI-generated music. BLACKPINK, BabyMonster, and other K-pop acts like Stray Kids, Jennie, Jungkook, and TWICE are losing potential earnings due to the rise of AI-generated songs.

FIFTY FIFTY's "Cupid" was one of the most-stream songs used in AI Covers.

UK Listeners Struggle to Identify AI Music

Interestingly, nearly half of UK adults surveyed (49%) could not distinguish between AI-generated and human-made music. Despite 72% of the participants claiming they could spot AI, a significant number were unable to correctly identify an AI-generated song from a real one.

The Future of Music

As AI-generated music continues to rise, the study raises concerns about the future of the music industry. With AI mimicking popular artists and creating unauthorized covers, the line between human creativity and machine-generated content is becoming increasingly blurred.

You can read the full study on musicMagpie's website.