K-pop rapper G-Dragon’s memory stick format triggers dispute
Government-sponsored chart refuses to accept K-pop star’s thumb drive release as an album
By Kim Jae-heun
K-pop icon G-Dragon’s new music released on a thumb drive is causing a dispute — whether to accept it as a real album or not.
The popular idol group BIGBANG’s rapper released his first solo work in four years, introducing his new album “Kwon Ji Yong” that contains five new tracks including the title song “Untitled, 2014” on June 8.
G-Dragon, who always seeks originality and innovative approaches in music and fashion, avoided recording his music on a disc in favour of a memory stick.
Gaon Music Chart, a weekly music chart sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, denied to approve it as an official album.
According to Gaon Music Chart, G-Dragon’s memory stick does not contain any music files and it only connects to YG Entertainment’s website where people can download music after inserting a serial number.
Last year, the copyright law was revised to acknowledge any form of digital album as an official record release — no matter where it is stored. However, Gaon Music Chart still sticks to their principle that only music recorded on disc form will be categorised as an “album” as the sales of music albums are reflected in their rankings on the chart.