[Kulture Issue] The "featuring effect" in the global K-pop industry

It went from "Some" by Soyou and Junggigo featuring Lil Boi of Geeks or Zico's "Soulmate" featuring IU to BTS's "Idol" featuring Nicki Minaj and JENNIE's "Handlebars" featuring Dua Lipa.

It's not that sensational anymore to have global super stars collaborate with K-pop stars, as Korean artists are now too the global stars. Today, we want to delve into the "featuring effect" and K-pop's influence in the global music market. For that, we are now on the line with Stephanie Choi, postdoctoral researcher at the Asia Research Institute at State University of New York at Buffalo. Hello Stephanie / Dr. Choi!

Q1. We see more and more vibrant collaborations between K-pop artists and foreign artists in the music scene compared to the past. Please tell us about this trend.

Q2. Having well-known pop stars featured in K-pop songs seemed like a strategy to expand overseas, (or is it still?) but nowadays that doesn’t seem to be the priority. What do you say? Is it a more “natural” thing to see these international collaborations?

Q3. (We reported on this on our program just recently) BTS’s Jungkook, with his solo single “Seven” featuring American rapper Latto, has been ranked number one on the “Best K-Pop and Rap Collaborations of All Time” by Complex magazine. Why do you think the song gained so much love?

Q4. So, seeing the success of these partnerships, how are they benefitting the K-pop industry?

Q5. I think there are benefits for both sides. Let’s take the BLACKPINK members as an example. LISA feat. Doja Cat & RAYE (Born Again), JENNIE feat. Dua Lipa (Handlebars), and of course ROSE feat. Bruno Mars (APT.) have all made it onto the Billboard charts. Big names in the western pop world are probably welcoming these collaborations and also make the first move for them?

Q6. It also seems like featuring for a song goes beyond singing a few lines, it’s about producing music together and mixing styles. Is it fair to say that we are seeing a deeper cooperation in the way songs are featured?

Q7. What are the prospects of these collaborations, or what could be done better in the future?