2014 is a special year for YG Entertainment’s founder, Yang Hyun Suk, aged 44. It’s a year of challenge. The attention to K-Pop from the world is hotter than ever, thanks to the ‘PSY effect.’ Any competitive K-Pop contents can now be a global-hit. In a recent interview with Maeil Economy, Yang commented, “Now is the time with most opportunities for the Korean pop,” and added, “This year marks a watershed for YG.”
First, YG’s main singer BIG BANG and Psy are releasing albums in the first half of the year, while WINNER, Akdong Musician, WIN’s B team and a new girl group will all be making a debut. This is surely unprecedented. YG is even building two new training rooms for this. The lights at YG training rooms never dim. Last month, actor Cha Seung Won joined the agency, and YG plans to expand the company to actor management. YG will transform itself into a multi-entertainment agency that cuts across the two major pillars of the Korean Wave: K-Pop and K-Drama. YANG used to be an ‘owl,’ working throughout the night and going home in the morning. That’s all going to change. At the headquarters in Hapjeong, Seoul, the building holds a banner that reads ‘HAPPY 2014 YG YEAR.’ YG Family is determined. The interview was held at a filming site in Ilsan, Jang Hang-dong.
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- If Seotaeji and Boys made a debut now? What would be different?
▶Different times require different artists. Our time back then needed Seotaeji and Boys. I can’t say with a 100% assurance, but I think the current time needs BIG BANG.
-What are your plans this year as a producer?
▶Now is the time with most opportunities for the K-Pop market. Seotaeji and Boys would not have dreamt of it. New artists like BIG BANG, 2NE1, and Psy chose YG, and I was the chosen one. They are betting their lives on YG, so it’s my responsibility to bring them success. I am going to do everything in my power as a producer to help them succeed.
- What is the music YG pursues?
▶I like “artists” that stand out. There are no groups in the world other than BIG BANG who does hip-hop and solos. We discovered Lee Hi and Akdong Musician in K-Pop Star seasons 1 and 2 respectively. They’re preparing album releases. These two really stood out in the crowd. There’s no other like them, so they’re perfect for YG. If we were to produce another boy group, they have to be different from BIG BANG. 2nd and 3rd BIG BANGs will not work.
- Heard you became a ‘morning person’ from New Year's Day?
▶That’s right. I had to stay up until 4 am as I was at BIG BANG's concert after party. But I woke up at 9 am. I didn’t sleep much. This year is a turning point for YG. Psy and BIG BANG make a long-awaited comeback, and 4 new groups make a debut. YG takes time creating contents. We take it seriously. Fans don’t believe 4 groups are making a debut. They think we’re lying (laughter). I don’t know if it’s because it’s only January, but we are more determined than ever. Our producers are under much producer and we’re cheering them on. We have 4 recording rooms, and we’re building 2 extra. We want to make YG a music power station.
- What is your philosophy?
▶ That is the most difficult question. I feel it’s more important to avoid things you don’t like, than doing things you like. YG’s power comes from doing things we love. I am a friend to BIG BANG, and I don’t force them to do things. We don’t do music for money. It’s not what we want to do. ‘Gangnam Style’ was created under pure will. Nothing forced. The public loves it when we love it. If you say “I love you” and not mean it, the person hearing it will know.
Source : bigbangupdates[dot]com
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