Le Sserafim performs at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Saturday at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. AP-Yonhap

K-pop fans are reigniting a long-standing industry debate: the requisite skill level for idol vocalists.

Underwhelming live performances have been disappointing a number of K-pop fans worldwide, which revealed a stark disparity between their popularity and singing skills.

While K-pop's high-level performances, quality music and distinctive brands of music are commendable, critics argue that these artists, ultimately singers, should possess vocal prowess adequate for performing their own songs competently.

Furthermore, the debate surrounding live performances and vocal abilities has not only influenced the views of domestic fans but has also sparked concerns about the international image of K-pop.

The concern and debate are nothing new.

Yet, many groups still struggle to prove their competency as singers, even though that has been a persistent challenge for the K-pop industry.

Kiss of Life / Yonhap

Substance over spectacle

Industry experts and insiders have suggested that K-pop idol training programs focus more on singing, which could help aspiring stars be better prepared for the rigorous demands of music fans.

As K-pop continues to captivate global audiences, ensuring that these stars can live up to the conventional expectations for musicians worldwide has become an important challenge to overcome.

The industry faces a crucial moment of reflection and action here. It must decide whether to prioritize spectacle over substance or balance both.

K-pop fans are already paying more attention to groups with strong singing skills.

Notable among these are Kiss of Life and BabyMonster, who have been consistently proving their vocal prowess since their debut. These groups impressed listeners with their strong vocal performances, in addition to the traditional qualities expected from K-pop idols.

BabyMonster / Courtesy of YG Entertainment

Renewed focus on vocal training

An official at YG Entertainment, the agency behind Baby Monster, said, "We continue rigorous vocal training before and after debut. We tailor our training to match the unique color and range of each vocalist when preparing for new tracks to ensure the highest quality of performance."

Similarly, S2 Entertainment, which manages Kiss of Life, elaborated on its approach to vocal training. "We conduct vocal training during both active and inactive periods through our in-house specialists. There's a close communication with vocal directors and trainers to meticulously monitor the vocal condition of our members," an S2 official said. "We focus on setting precise short and long-term vocal training goals and monitoring the outcomes based on individual conditions."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.