Artificial Intelligence Issues in Korean Music

Since Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerged as an essential technology over the last decade, numerous concerns have surfaced questioning its application. These issues are primarily due to copyright infringement problems, which arise when the AI is trained on copyrighted content without obtaining authorisation. The music industry is one of the numerous sectors that started to be profoundly impacted by the implementation of AI. South Korea is unquestionably an interesting case study involving the use of AI in the music field. The country has devoted considerable resources to advancing and developing AI technology, with substantial government support, and it has been at the forefront of emerging developments in AI and music, particularly in terms of composition and visuals. These advancements gave rise to many questions regarding AI, ranging from copyright concerns to ethical dilemmas. This paper aims to examine and assess some of the most notable advancements related to artificial intelligence in the Korean music industry. It will begin with the emergence of innovative virtual idols, such as 에스파(Aespa), that incorporate AI and technology in the creation of their concepts. Additionally, it will cover other uses of AI in Korean popular music. For example, this technology can be utilised to strengthen the bond between international fans and artists, as in the case of MIDNATT, who sang multilingual versions of the same song through an AI process. This work will next examine the issues related to AI composers and producers through the case of이봄(EvoM), one of the three most significant AI-based composers globally. For a certain period, EvoM was granted royalties by the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA), which is currently involved in discussions regarding the implementation of a compulsory AI labelling law in the country. Alongside the prospect of Korean regulations, this work also aims to highlight other recent advancements in the field, particularly concerning musical compositions and the use of copyrighted works for training artificial intelligence in the music industry. It focuses on the cases of the new European Union regulations on AI and copyright infringement cases involving music companies in the United States. By examining these cases, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current global efforts to address the challenges posed by technological advancements in Artificial Intelligence.