K-pop Evolves into a “Future Technology Showcase” with Global Platforms and AI Robots

The K-pop industry is leading the next generation of entertainment markets through global platforms and AI technology. The 2025 Melon Music Awards (MMA2025), considered the pinnacle of Korean music awards ceremonies, reaches fans around the world via representative platforms in various countries. Held on the 20th at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, MMA2025 is broadcast live worldwide, including to Wave in South Korea, UNEX in Japan, and MagentaTV in Germany. The involvement of local platforms from Japan, the world’s second-largest music market, and Germany, the fourth-largest, underscores K-pop’s global influence. Top K-pop stars such as G-Dragon, EXO, Jennie, aespa, and IVE are participating in this elite lineup, drawing attention from music fans worldwide. K-pop concert venues are also at the forefront of technological innovation. “Digital photo card tickets” equipped with encrypted NFC chips were first introduced in South Korea at a concert by Na Hoon-ah, after which they were adopted for major concerts featuring groups like god, BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, TWICE, Im Young-wung, and NCT DREAM. This technology has expanded beyond concerts to include actor fan meetings and fan concerts as well. Digital photo card tickets offer great convenience since they allow entry without physical contact by simply tapping them on entry devices, just like transportation cards. They also boast excellent security due to their inability to be forged or replicated. Unlike paper tickets, they can be reissued through a central system in case of loss or damage, which has earned high praise from attendees. As of 2025, over 2.5 million digital photo card tickets have been issued, and these tickets are now being introduced at concerts in Japan as well. God’s concerts, which provided fans with special content and playlists through the “ZeroPlus” app, received praise as the “ultimate example of fan-service concerts.” The integration of AI and robot technology illustrates K-pop’s future direction. Choi Yong-ho, CEO of Galaxy Corp., stated that artificial intelligence can accelerate the creation of virtual content and potentially lead to the emergence of “robot idols” within five years. He predicted that “robots represent the next step after physical idols and the virtual world,” adding that “an era where all three coexist will arrive within five years.” Galaxy Corp. is already making preparations for AI technology. In April, they used Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Sora to produce and release G-Dragon’s music video “Home Sweet Home,” with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella describing it as an “innovative attempt that can reshape the entertainment paradigm.” AI is expected to significantly reduce costs and improve efficiency in music video production. CEO Choi Yong-ho forecasted that “most music videos, excluding lead singles and Title Tracks, will be created using artificial intelligence,” noting that “costs will drop while efficiency will rise.” This implies that the K-pop industry will be divided into an “era before AI” and an “era after AI,” signaling that K-pop is entering an “After AI” era where it creates new markets.