NewJeans producer Min Hee-jin slams the K-pop industry and calls the factory system a ‘disease’

Presented at this year’s DaVinci Motel festival in Seoul South Koreacutting-edge creators, one of the most anticipated events was not a musical performance, but a speech by Min Hee-jin, a key figure behind some K-popgreatest artists, who became one of the industry’s most outspoken critics.

Speaking to the packed audience, Min condemned K-pop’s rigid structures and formulas, which she believes prevent artists from reaching their full potential.

“You will never reach the highest place if you just follow what has already been done over and over again,” Min said on September 27. “This factory system is proving to be a disease of the industry.”

Min’s remarks come at a time when K-pop is making an unprecedented push into international markets. Groups like BTS AND Blackpink topped charts around the world, introducing millions to the genre’s polished performances and catchy melodies. But Min says the industry’s success is hampered by an overemphasis on conformity and perfection.

“Our artists are like athletes who also have to be beautiful, well-mannered and literally have a perfect personality,” she said. “We have to see it as brutal.”

Min Hee-jin, former CEO of Ador. Source: Ador

Min, who previously served as creative director of iconic K-pop groups such as Girls’ Generation if(x), is also the former CEO of Ador, a label owned by Hybe, South Korea’s largest entertainment company.