On April 15, a press conference was held in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea, to announce the launch of Billboard Korea. During this event, CEO Mike Van of Billboard USA addressed recent allegations concerning Billboard’s treatment of K-pop.
Van clarified, “We provide approximately 150 charts, including staple charts like the ‘Hot 100’ or ‘Billboard 200’. The K-pop chart, along with Latin and Jazz charts, operates no differently from our other charts.”
He further emphasized, “With our experience and understanding of the music industry, the K-pop chart is designed to reflect all nuances of this genre.”
Last year, when Billboard introduced a separate K-pop chart, concerns arose suggesting that this move was aimed at restraining K-pop’s growth. Additionally, alterations in the scoring method for the main “Hot 100” chart prompted accusations of attempting to control K-pop’s influence.
In response to these concerns, Mike Van stated, “While we collaborate with various partners, it’s essential to clarify that these claims are entirely unfounded.”
Billboard is set to officially launch “Billboard Korea” in June, beginning with its inaugural issue. This initiative demonstrates Billboard’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating the diverse musical industry, including the vibrant K-pop industry, on a global scale.
