2024 has reportedly begun with a major disruption in the music streaming world on TikTok. After the surprising news from Universal Music Group (UMG) regarding the removal of their songs from the platform, K-pop enthusiasts were left reeling from the sudden silence of their favorite tracks by BLACKPINK, BTS, and other influential K-pop groups on February 27th.
In a significant sweep, almost all content from BLACKPINK, inclusive of the group’s and individual member’s solo tracks, were swiftly wiped of sound on TikTok. Fans who visited BLACKPINK’s TikTok account were met with the stark reality that 90% of the videos were now mute.
Tracks from BTS’s Jungkook, such as “Standing Next To You” and “Seven,” faced a similar fate with their removal from TikTok for copyright reasons. Consequently, the TikTok channels of BTS and Jungkook lost the audio to many of their videos.
This wave of mutings was not limited to just two bands but extended to various other K-pop acts, including SEVENTEEN, TXT, TREASURE, and NewJeans, which all experienced the muting of multiple tracks.
The UMG announcement subsequently raised questions and concerns within the industry about content access and the ramifications on a global scale. UMG houses a massive catalog of music from internationally acclaimed artists such as Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Bad Bunny, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Adele, Drake, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Rosalía, and Harry Styles, to name a few.
The resulting clash between UMG and TikTok became a focal point of discussion among music enthusiasts, with ramifications for artists from the Western pop music scenes and Korean pop music scene alike. The void left by K-pop groups on TikTok is especially felt in the realm of viral dance challenges, where K-pop has historically had substantial influence and presence.
Why were K-pop songs by BLACKPINK and BTS removed from TikTok?
Songs by BLACKPINK and BTS were removed from TikTok because of copyright issues after Universal Music Group decided to pull their signed artists’ music from the platform.
Are other K-pop groups affected as well?
Yes, other K-pop groups like SEVENTEEN, TXT, TREASURE, and NewJeans also experienced muting of their songs on TikTok.
What does it mean for K-pop fans and TikTok users?
The removal of these K-pop songs means fans will no longer be able to create or view TikTok content featuring the affected tracks, impacting the reach and exposure of K-pop groups on the platform.
The takedown of K-pop music by BLACKPINK, BTS, and other K-pop groups on TikTok has sent ripples throughout the music and social media landscapes. This development marks a significant shift in content access and sharing, showcasing the intricate relationship between music rights holders and digital platforms. It remains to be seen how this will affect TikTok’s content dynamics and the strategies K-pop groups will adopt to maintain their global presence.
