The Biggest Hoax In K-pop History

[@sleepyfriendstm]

I really don't have that big of an issue with lip syncing, but don't call them singers, as that's an insult to people actually sing. Call them entertainers, dancers, or actors and give the actual singers their credit.

[@bread3987]

thats kinda wrong because the ones they are lip syncing to are their own voice

[@sleepyfriendstm]

@@bread3987 The first group she talked about got cancelled for using other people's vocals tho. My comment is in reference to that particular situation.

[@brenna730]

Most singers lip sync lmao

[@gmmartines7331]

@@brenna730 they mean cases like milli vanilli who are lipsyncing to other people's vocals. It's true most, if not all, artists have or do lipsync at some point

[@brenna730]

@@gmmartines7331 like they pretended it was their song and voices and not for giggles?

[@precious8129]

FUN FACT: Back in the 90s Lee Soo Man was one of the firsts to support lip syncing saying "Singers who lip sync should be recognized as entertainers". It is said that after H.O.T debuted lip syncing became the norm even though it was a present phenomenon since Seo Taiji and Boys. After the Girlfrnd ban it was reported that there was favoritism when it came to live singing, where companies like SM and YG would arrange with music shows to let their artists lip sync if necessary meanwhile other artists would get burnt with criticism for their live singing.

[@firstlastname1158]

Lee Soo Man supporting something like lip syncing why am i not surprised.

[@wahaha918]

but SM artists mostly sing live on stage without lipsync,they are among the best company.

[@yaqiza]

@@wahaha918 can you name them pls? cause aespa dont sing live (or at least very rarely for example when they were at coachella)

[@dahlia159]

@@wahaha918 sm have the best voaclists in the game for sureee, but they lip sync a lot lmaoooo to me tho i dont care bc they're vocals are already proven

[@dahlia159]

@@yaqiza i think artists like shinee, taeyeon, red velvet, nct dream, got the beat they are mostly live

[@ButIamAStick]

Baning Lipsinc all together would be a big mistake, some time the idol is sick or tired and can't leave, but allowing groups to lipsinc for all promotion is also wrong. It should find a balance were is not baned completly, but it can't be use in the 100% of the performances

[@gwenmloveskpopandmore]

Well China did it completely. But yeah they should only allow it for the 1st reason u said

[@yoonsope]

This. I understand lip sync on occasion due to different reasons, but what's the point of being a singer if you don't sing at all?

[@andredrw289]

@@yoonsope but I mean it’s still their vocals that they’re syncing to so what’s the big deal? Fans want idols to have perfect pitch and flawless choreo so if you want one, you gotta cut back on the other

[@aeong_bread]

If you're too sick to do your job, sit it out. I don't think lip syncing should be allowed, it feels like a scam honestly. Back tracks playing for a song with choreo, sure, I get it. But imagine this, paying hundreds to witness your favorite singer perform live, in person, just for them to lipsync the whole time? That's ridiculous.. literally do not know a single person who would want that. Kpop has deluded ppl into thinking this is totally normal, but it shouldn't be normalized. If you can't sing live because you'll sound too bad, you're simply not a singer. If the idol can't dance while singing, they can literally stand/walk around and just mark their part and simplify it, or better yet, just give them normal dances that won't put them in the hospital for being too exhausting. There isn't transparency with this stuff either, like these companies rly try to make ppl think these are live vocals. That's the bigger issue tbh, deception for profit. If they were to market them as performers and not singers, that's fine. But 95+% of these idols can't sing well at all in the first place honestly... it's just weird. The standards have changed. It used to be about singing, now it's just backflips and shit. Idc if my idol can do a backflip bruh, let me hear you sing live LMFAO This video is hilarious tho, whoever is running these companies are whack fr, they pulled a south korean milli vanilli LOOOOL

[@andredrw289]

@@aeong_bread because fans want it like that then complain when they get it. We all know that singing and dancing at the same time while staying on pitch is hard as hell and we both know that these companies are still gonna make them go on stage even while sick unless they’re literally dying. You’re paying to see an idol perform, whether they sing live or not it’s still their voice that they lip syncing to (except in this case right here apparently) y’all are making this a bigger deal than it needs to be

[@sur_un_nuage]

lip syncing to your own voice when the performance requires intense choreo or when you need to rest your voice is totally justifiable but stealing other people’s voices as if their your own is the problem, i love when idols show their vocal chops and they do get the chance to do so on various occasions but sometimes you just gotta deliver the best performance you can visually and audibly and that’s just fine

[@njarasoarumpf8464]

Or not singing everything. I think Jessi and Hyolyn are doing it correctly. There are backup but they sing most of it

[@sarar4270]

@@njarasoarumpf8464 agreed. When B.I was performing BTBT he didn't sing all the lyrics. He just let the backtrack run while he danced to the chorus

[@gmmartines7331]

Lip-syncing and ghost singing are two different things. Ester Dean actually sang the chorus for Nicki Minaj's Super Bass. Ashanti's voice was also used for J.Lo. Bebe Rexha is another. J.Lo is the biggest culprit of lip-syncing to other singer's vocals. She should not at all be considered a singer

[@younglihying]

Wait whuutt? What do you mean? So her past released songs, did she sang it or that’s another person’s voice?

[@CaptainQueeny]

It's was another singer

[@lizette6641]

I knew there was something about her

[@valintong889]

@@younglihying Yes, there is a video here on KZbin about her taking advantage of ghost singers and using sample vocals.

[@elisejackson2854]

Esther also did Rihanna's chorus for one of her songs.

[@scottietrademark]

Fun fact: the western entertainment industry allows ghost singers... its mostly the reason why JLO has a music career. I dont think lip syncing on a music show is a big deal, dancing is hard! Singing and dancing is even harder! Not everyone is going to be tip top shape all the time and it's unreasonable for the government, industry, and fans to expect perfection all the time. For concerts and festivals, I think they should sing live but it really doesn't bother me if they don't sing live on a music show.

[@lamoskgr]

Nobody knew about Jlo until recently and even she started getting singing lessons (not that it helped...). But they come out with thousands of idols and like a 10% of them can sing decently.

[@younglihying]

Wait whuutt? What do you mean she has a ghost singer? So her past released songs, did she sang it or that’s another person’s voice?

[@simsimah]

@@younglihying it is well known she’s used Ashanti and Christina Millians vocals! Britney also used Keri hilson voice often noteably on the chorus for Radar which she also wrote. As a recent singing battle between Mario and Omarion of B2k past member let it be known that Omarians vocals were poor because back then they used someone else over his poor vocals named Steve Russell.

[@theblackpope4507]

@@lamoskgr this is not recent news at all. It’s actually like 2000s news. Her using Ashanti’s vocals is one of the reasons why she’s gotten a lot of backlash for her own vocals, throughout her whole career.

[@theblackpope4507]

@@simsimah that battle was such a disaster 😂

[@sculptureofsound2]

Imagine putting someone behind bars for lip syncing

[@hellogoodbyeandallinbetween]

All this controversy, and yet they still don't provide the appropriate equipment for k bands to perform live

[@marwaessaadi]

for me personally, there is a big difference between lip-syncing and just faking their whole voice. Singers can’t be at the pic of their health when sing and dance constantly, mostly during promotions because it’s back to back sometimes. they might get sick etc… + the choreography are sometimes hardcore and the channel (?) where they promote in may require them to be perfect or even their agency so they have to lip-sync and I will not judge them for that. no matter how they have trained over the years, they are still humans and not robots. your vocal capacity varies on ur state not your training periods. you can have bad days and many things can influence that as like Stress, colds, even sometimes periods for who gets them etc etc… and with the standards of nowadays, they should be an ace with no such things as voice cracking etc or you will get h@te which is sad and they also get h@te for lip-syncing ? I know that they are shown as more like a dance group than a singing/rapping one but the standards are all the way up and they sometimes (most of the times) have no choice and it’s not like they cannot sing. they can sing, rap AND dance but like, faking their voices ? I don’t judge one bit but for some, it kinda feels like a scam and I understand why, you know

[@marwaessaadi]

I am sorry for my mistakes and if I make nonsense LMAOO

[@Non_ducor_duco]

I remember reading a Reddit post about GIRLFrND. Interesting enough the same conversations we do today were very prominent in the 90s. There was even a similar case to GIRLFrND back in 1994 with Marronnier. History truly repeats itself.

[@apricotpri]

what reddit community was it?

[@Non_ducor_duco]

@@apricotpri r/kpopthoughts

[@yannickjohn6930]

Going down to become Korea's Milli Vanilli... Aw, man. No wonder many K-pop fans only want to see K-pop idols, good singing or not. It's the visual that attracts them. That's what a law is when not enforced.

[@VolumePerfection]

Not Milli Vanilli if one of the girls actually sang... It is more like Boney M.

[@yannickjohn6930]

@@VolumePerfection They're both managed by Farian... However, I'm taking about the reputation due to lip-synching.

[@shatteredshards8549]

What's really sad is the shame and public backlash got so bad for Milli Vanilli that one of the members ended his life.

[@elisejackson2854]

@@VolumePerfection one of them did sing. And the women in Boney M sang.

[@kpopandotherthings6853]

I’m just in the beginning of the video but when you mentioned how flawless idols are expected to be, I had to wonder if this contributes how KPOP idols are trained and why some are so abusive…

[@gwenmloveskpopandmore]

Yeah and compare it to the J-Pop system which is a bit of the opposite but in both K-Pop and J-Pop dating is Taboo

[@CS-zb7hx]

I think it's circular. Fans expect perfection because that companies push perfection, which means the companies have to be even more careful, which causes the bar to be raised even higher on the fans part.

[@gwenmloveskpopandmore]

@@CS-zb7hx yeah

[@Ruriko.Y]

@@gwenmloveskpopandmore in Jpop it's OK if you can't sing or dance, as long as you try your best and the audience enjoyed your performance. look at Johnny's and 48/46 family. how may of them can actually sing very well? but fans love their effort, aura, stage presence & personality, doesn't matter if they're lacking on the talent aspect. in Kpop you have to be perfect all-round and keep up that perfect image.

[@gwenmloveskpopandmore]

@@Ruriko.Y yep I know that

[@AnnaMaria-ff5fw]

I think we can have agree that as long as the artist can actually sing and records the original song themselves, lip syncing is not always bad and is often necessary.

[@guadalupemontoya1819]

I think the criticism I saw from the first stages of Girls Planet 999 told me that most Kpop fans don’t actually want live vocals. Live vocals are extremely breathy and distorted when accompanied by constant movement and very few can pull off stable vocals this way, even those with acknowledged vocal skills. If an idol is performing an intense choreography while still expected to sing 100% live, the vocal quality will disappoint you. It’s not like they are Ashley Simpson on SNL, a dated but relevant reference, standing at the mic and barely moving; they can’t give their all to both singing/rapping and dancing. It would be putting more strain on idols then is but on the average singer who doesn’t include complex routines and can focus solely on flawless vocal delivery. If it bothers people so much, they should require a ballad or choreography-less accompaniment stage that is devoid of lip syncing. That way you are sure to get your vocalist credentials and still give people what they want to see with the main stage. If Ryeowook, a seasoned veteran who is acknowledged to have some of the best vocals in the industry, finds there is a problem with your idea of idols and singing, you should rethink it. He has been praised by other expert vocalist and he has a lot of dance and on stage practice, so I think he is well qualified to speak on the strain the ban puts on singing idols.

[@neverneverland5836]

I remember being sort of relieved when I found out that lip syncing wasn't uncommon in kpop. I'd just gotten into it and was remember seeing some of the insane choreographies that idols would do while also singing, and I worried that it was too strenuous for them to be doing all the time - so I think that sometimes lip syncing is absolutely okay to do, but I agree that it's best to be open about it, because otherwise it sets unreasonable standards for other idols and especially rookies. I also think that if a group only lip syncs live, even if it is to their own vocals, then they're really a dance group instead (which isn't a bad thing at all, but kpop should primarily be about the music).

[@njarasoarumpf8464]

Exactly the issue is the communication

[@mmisafire]

i think as long as the artists can actually sing, then who cares?? i understand why it was such a big deal back then but at this point, theres more than enough music that there shouldnt be that kind of pressure anymore. and there are many idols who have no really talents besides being pretty/funny, and vise versa, so i think its unfair to idols that work hard to sound as good as they do. if you cant sing why are you a musician?? plus singing AND dancing is hard so i have extra respect for those that can do both, but thats a very small amount of people. not everyone should be expected to, and theres plenty of instances where its more harmful than its worth.

[@datenshiomega9131]

I just remember Exo Chen saying that it was very difficult for him to do the choreography, which sometimes are intense for both boy and girl groups, and then sing the high notes he has to do. I understand lip synching is bad to some extent (especially when the "singer" actually never sings on if the whole song is like that) but I can't believe they never allow for even just the slightest bit of human error, tiredness of idols and just require them to be flawless, doing it all and just be amazing at everything. I dont mind that much that the live is pre recorded to be honest... the group have sung it just before and the performance is the dance itself and the visual too. I mean, props to the ones live singing of course and they often do sing during concerts. I just always picture BTS Jungkook needing a respirator after a performance for instance...doing it all is impossible

[@angiee1603]

I saw a clip of Jungkook passed out backstage after a performance. This was before I really got into kpop and it made me angry. The performance isn't worth this man's health. I've noticed when EXO performs live certain members will stop doing the choreography to hit certain parts. That works for them. I think if we as fans are going to expect live singing all the time, then the choreography needs to be less intense.

[@andredrw289]

Very interesting this video comes out when there’s constant debate over idols nowadays lip syncing. Great video as always

[@BlackMesaScp]

I think most people can agree that Lip Syncing sometimes isn't a problem when it comes to choreography and performances being particularly demanding. I think the standard for most stans, at least that I know, is that you have the ability to sing live when the time comes. It is your job, people are drawn by your music and vocals. What's the point of performing if you aren't actually doing what people paid to see you do? Might as well just put the mv on a jumbotron and stay home at that point. What's frustrating about a lot of kpop groups today can be that we know they have talented voices but can't showcase them when it's most important, even when the choreo is structured to allow the singing idol have easier or no choreo to accommodate live singing. Like, what's the point of having a member stand in the middle doing all these gestures insinuating vocal labor? To give the illusion on love singing, obviously. The managers know what they're doing. More egregiously, with the recent Aespa compilations, with members seemingly unable to lip sync a standing ballad convincingly. It can be very problematic for a group to get so comfortable not singing live that they embarrass themselves anytime they sing outside the studio. Studio magic can make a voice sound more stable and appealing on the record so if the audience never hears what you really sound like, the contrast can be appalling. I'm not coming after the Idols, more the actual companies because they put them through all of this vocal training just to have them dance and pretend to sing.

[@CaliSaint]

What’s the point of singing live if you’re just standing in place or barely moving? I’d rather pay hundreds of dollars to see them dance then listen to a sing at a lower quality.

[@BlackMesaScp]

@@CaliSaint Like I said, when most groups organize choreo to accommodate live singing, it's confusing why groups can't do both. Singing should be apart of the performance. I can watch anyone do the live dance on the street. I never said they should always sing live, I literally started off saying it's ok if they're focusing on dancing. My standard is they make an effort to sing live when they can, even if it's not as perfect as the studio. Letting the backtrack handle it when their busy doing choreo and it wouldn't be realistic is fine. When did I say they should stand around without dancing to sing live? Like, I never said that.

[@CaliSaint]

@@BlackMesaScp that’s the alternative to not dancing as much. I’ve seen people performing live while dancing, it sucks. It’s boring and dull. I don’t want to watch someone basically just stand there while singing.

[@BlackMesaScp]

@@CaliSaint You clearly have never seen musicals. There are groups that perform live or mostly live and they're stable because they're trained well. StayC is a great example along with Trib.e, and Mamamoo. Both make a point to sing live because they can. If an idols performance is worsened by live singing, then they haven't been trained well. Broadway performers have to dance and sing for hundreds of performances a year because it's their job, no backing track or help. If they can do it and still turn out a performance, your faves can do it a few months out of the year. Also, that's not the alternative? Did you not read my comment about singing parts live and letting the back track handle things to maintain a good performance? That's what most groups do and their performance are plenty lively. There's a middle ground you know, and I described it multiple times, yet you act like that's invalid despite it being the norm. Watch StayC's, BTS's or Mamamoo's performances, they aren't "basically standing around" they're dancing AND singing, which is their job. They don't sing the whole time but they carry it with their voice and let the pre-rec help them if they can't. That's my standard. Clearly your standard is that you don't expect your idols to be able to sing live, and that's okay. I've never found a live ballad where there's no choreo "dull" or " boring" because the song and their voices keep me enchanted and carry it, IF they're good vocalists. That's what performers are supposed to do, to entertain. If an idols real, live voices "bore" you, I got news for you.

[@CaliSaint]

@@BlackMesaScp Broadway singers don’t always sing live and they stop dancing as impressively when they sing. I’ve seen Broadway shows in person and you obviously haven’t they aren’t doing crazy dance moves while singing they do them while their costars are singing. I don’t care what you say love singing at concerts never sound good if they’re doing anything impressive, ever. It doesn’t matter how much training the singing has. Most people are not going to pay for subpar vocals and boring choreography. You kept saying that there is a a middle ground and describing a bad performance. Just stop. I hope that everyone who thinks like you can never afford a concert ticket ever, because you are degrading the experience. And degrading life for everyone who has to suffer listening to you speak

[@yaswanthreddy2067]

Wow people get sentenced for 1year for lip syncing and the man who abused a girl get a sentence of 6 months really kudos 👏 for korean law

[@nutella3510]

They should just have a disclaimer at the beginning of the performance if it is live, lipsinc or pre-recorded. That's it. Sometimes they need to lipsinc if the choreo is too much.

[@1stgenkpop711]

In the late 90s early 2000s they did! That little compact disk image at the top right corner on most of these performances says "lip sync". That was probably the industry trying to reach a compromise.

[@user-nz9nf9ug2q]

I like the idea of having to clarify before the performance or perhaps in video descriptions when the performance is lip syncing. Would prevent a lot of arguments, and decrease the insane standards for having to be a perfect singer and dancer at the same time.

[@Sunnybias]

I find it sad so many use lip syncing - fair if someone is sick or fatigue, but vocals are a HUGE part of being an idol. This is why so many are now debuting without good/strong vocals and the focus is on visuals, which is sad.

[@Cookie-jl4st]

Most artist that lip sync now are lip syncing to their own voice so it’s not that bad when they do it like 50 ish % of the time when they promote on music shows for days/weeks. Also if I’m being honest when it comes to kpop songs that are very focused on that dance I prefer they lip sync since the idols will probably struggle a bit with breathing ( especially the ones with a lot of lines or lots of difficult moves.

[@Sillytillyx]

I know I lot of groups that will lip sync during the beginning of promotion to ease them in then sing live these music show schedules are intense 3am starts most days of the week running the performance multiple times as long as they sing on the recording and concerts. Also crazy how producers and ceo make the decisions like this for groups but it’s always the idols themselves that are punished.

[@amym9867]

Wow this is a blast from the past. I used to love GirlFrND's songs when they first came out and then they just disappeared. It was a lot harder to get information back then so it was a while before I found out what had happened.

[@bixybobah9171]

same! me and my mom would listen to them before and suddenly they didnt come out with new music , until i found out why through this video😅

[@commercialfree]

To be honest, I don't mind idol singers lip singing at music shows. It's a promotional show after all, to let the public know that they have a new song or to let the public know they exist and buy their music. As far as I know, fans doesn't pay to enter the venue for those shows, so they can lip sing all they want. I'll take issue with it if they do it at public performances or concerts all the time. People pay good money to attend concerts at least give them their money's worth. I can understand if they do it on dance focused performances but for the whole concert? That would be unacceptable, at least lip sing 1/3 of it and live sing the rest.

[@nelliebellie2222]

I personally dont think there ever should of been debate since idols are just entertainers with multiple careers to begin with. For example when we see them acting in variety shows or dramas etc they are considered actors. When they are performing a dance on stage + lipsyncing they are considered performers. When they are singing a song live they are considered singers. Even advertising for a brand they are considered models. Hence why I dont understand why there is still a debate on what idols are when they have multiple careers that fall under entertainment

[@imjustlucy_29]

“Singing and dancing at the same time is hard as it is!” *musical Broadway actors would like to know your location*

[@seralee883]

if Ryeowook, one of the most powerful and skilled vocals in SK, spoke against the ban, it means it shouldn't be banned. lol Even a professional recognizes the importance of having a back-track and some help while performing exhausting choreographies.

[@SensorProximity]

Tell that to Beyoncé, or Lady Gaga, hell any world vocalist that performs choreos. K-Pop is full of Britneys.

[@seralee883]

@@SensorProximity you wanna tell me Britney spears isn't a pop legend who is literally the best performer out of all the ones you listed? Lol. I'd be glad to be called Britney tbh. In kpop only a few have ailee / taeyeon like voices. Y'all should lower your expectations and let idols be human. Lmfao

[@SensorProximity]

@@seralee883 I don't count lipsyncers as great performers. A singer should sing. That being said Britney deserves all the love in the world, just for me personally, not the best performer crown. Sorry.

[@loon7181]

@@seralee883 Britney isn't a better performer than Beyoncé or Lady Gaga wtf lmaooo. Britney is a good performer, but calling her better than Beyoncé is a reach.

[@danellymani205]

@@seralee883 Britney a better performer than Beyoncé? Beyoncé? Beyoncé Knowles? Hard disagree. But you’re entitled to your opinion

[@iamandreasilva]

i think nowadays one can tell when an idol is singing live or not, esp in thei individuals parts, they either finish the line or leave it out to do the high note, i don't thiink its a problem since they also have to dance like yall should try and sing while dancing :) also, i believe it shouldn't be problematic as long as the idol has proved themselves, like what sm is doing rn with the recording videos, i think it shows the true vocals of idols w/o filters

[@ychanschao]

I’ve always been aware of Lip synching.. every now and then is fine. But I think as a “singer” I’d personally want to sing live a majority of the time so people wouldn’t speculate if it’s really my voice. But I also notice idols singing on top of their own voices as well. I believe there is a term for that but I’m not sure of it. I’d rather them lip sync than singing over their voices as it makes it sound weird lol

[@NamiSwaann22]

I also think lip- syncing and had-syncing should only be done with the public being aware of it Idols need to lip sync sometimes because with how often.they perform it would be bad for their voices if they didn't BUT they should disclose when they do it so you can be reassured as a fan that they can actually sing Imagine commenting on someone's pretty voice only to figure out they can't sing at all

[@jackr1886]

I know it wasn’t the topic of the video, but I looked up what happened to Music Camp and let’s just say, I wish I hadn’t. Man that was wild.

[@nelliebellie2222]

Do u have a link to the video or article I would like to know what happened to Music Camp as well 🧐

[@jackr1886]

@@nelliebellie2222 Here’s a video that explains what happened. The article I looked at was not labeled as uncensored and I saw things I didn’t want to see so I would not suggest looking up an article. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGmmkJ1vfqyHbbs

[@shruthakeerthi4559]

Whoo finally Girlfrnd! Gayeon is actually really talented, so sad they wasted her like that. But because of this scandal we got MBC Music Camp 100% live (a.k.a. your faves are happy they don't have to go on there to expose their vocals) so yeah

[@Alexandra-oj4ik]

No need to ban anything, just mark honestly live performances as live, autotuned as autotuned and lipsynced/prerecordered (don't see any differerence there) as lipsynced so that the public is aware of what they're being fed. Also, if the idol is sick and must perform anyway for one reason or another, adding backing singers is always an option as opposed to playing recorded vocals.

[@xiaokhat]

I don't mind lip syncing or using backtracks. But I want to see artists perform live, with a band, on concerts. I don't mind singers forgetting the lyrics or steps to the choreo on live perfromances. That's part of the live performance. If I want to listen to them sing perfectly, I'd listen to tbe CD. If I want to watch a perfect choreo, I'd watch the MV or whatever video.

[@allaboutandrea4419]

It depends on the situation really. As long as there’s never another Milli Vanilli, which was straight up fraud then there are times where it just makes sense to lip sync.

[@maerim78]

I second the idea of having a disclaimer at the beginning, because even those artists that do sing live are effected and it's getting annoying

[@any1218]

It is so stupid to think that idols can’t sing because since they are chosen by company who is searching for full package. What I want to say is that they have sooo much choice,so why would they choose idol who can do only dancing for example and can not sing? It is not logical. Maybe it was like that before but I highly doubt it is like that today.

[@flowerchild5836]

I just started the video, but don’t most of the top groups do this? I’ve seen performances of SM and other top entertainment groups full on not singing…

[@sleepyfriendstm]

I think they are lip syncing over their own live vocal tracks tho. Groups used to straight up use other people's vocals.

[@flowerchild5836]

@@sleepyfriendstm That makes sense. I mean the group in the video obviously had no control of what the company had then do. To just see some group lip sync and use prerecorded vocals for almost every performance is so weird to me. They got canceled for something that’s common place now…

[@3rdelement10]

StayC did an interview where they revealed that they don't feel like singers when they don't sing live and don't feel like they did well as they're performing.

[@disaeditorials]

i see comments like these whenever MR removed, people genuinely get upset at the fact that idols are not singing all while doing their choregraph

[@irenitaawesome8396]

I think it should be notified on the performance if it has lip sync or not in the past in my country some shows had a banner on top if the performance was live or not

[@n.6353]

JYP literally got his artists doing backflips on stage whilst doing high notes 💀 imo as long as they CAN sing, are putting on a good show and are on the track idc 🤣. Edit: Plus the bar is already set so high!!

[@riconguyenofficial8947]

I mean if I debut as a singer even though I'm not the member in charge of vocals, I still would like to hear my voice on the record because, at the end of the day, my main job is singing. I think "lip-sync" will fall in the "performer" category.

[@itsmefm]

Lip syncing isn't inherently bad, it's how it's used imo.

[@Ottolineification]

I don’t mind idols lip syncing if it’s they own voiced recorded in the studio and the lip syncing happens on small concerts or shows when they have to dance their hard choreography. I really don’t know how would anyone be able to sing, keep their breath steady, and dance at the same time

[@Nani-0613]

Honestly I have nothing against people who live sync my problem is I feel like nowadays people focus so much on visuals in being able to dance or how attractive a person is that they don't fully teach them how to have stable vocals regardless if it's dance practice alive performance and music show a lot of idols don't have good vocals they don't have stable focus and some of them can't dance but they are attractive and they didn't even train for that long and they get pushed to be an idol and it's like you worked for But you didn't work as long as you should have because there are plenty people who still need to work on their dancing and they're acting and they're vocals but because they're attractive they got to become famous which is not fair

[@randomuser5829]

Just as I was about to sleep, this video popped up. Well I'm gonna watch it

[@suzannebaxter2888]

Lip synching isn't just an idol problem it's world wide. A German and French duo called Milli Vanilli were destroyed when it was made known that not only where they lip synching they were not even the ones who sang the original. When you have artists like Aretha, Celine, Adele, with voices so special they actually need to be protected and yet they still sing live then it is disgraceful to lip synch full stop. However even huge stars also lip sync Selena Gomez. Mariah Carey Justin Bieber Camila Cabello Beyonce have all been caught lipsynching

[@meimei]

i think lipsync is fine now and then, as with their busy schedule, they could develop vocal cord nodules, which require surgery, and in jpop too many idols get these as they never lip sync and ruin their voice ever so slowly

[@angiee1603]

If you want live singing all the time, then the choreography is going to have to be less intense so your favorites can breathe. These people have too many expectations put on them.

[@Rouge_Ice]

Honestly, I don't have a problem with artists lip syncing to their own voices especially if the situation calls for it. But I do have a problem with artists using other people's voices in their performances. But I don't think that happens often. Of course I do appreciate those who can do live performances.

[@theblackpope4507]

Well it’s a known fact that the performance is prioritized over the singing. Which I’m not a fan of coz if you’re just going to dance, one might watch performance videos instead of watching them in these shows. I get that it’s a lot to ask from an idol, when they’re pulling Itzy choreography. However, then they should tone the choreography down so that they can sing and dance.

[@shruthakeerthi4559]

Some things that we're left unmentioned : - When Toya was "exposed" at the beginning, they washed themselves clean by going on a KBS Evening TV show and sang their song acapella. - It's rumoured the guide vocalists are members of the now defunct MBC chorus. 8:47 NAURRRR NOT THAT CLIP OF SHINJI AND MC MONG AFTER THE MUSIC CAMP SCANDAL 😭😭

[@dgds24]

Finally! I've been waiting for this for a long time!!! thank you so much🥺

[@gwenmloveskpopandmore]

Welcome back Midnight!! ❤️🔮

[@alwayspluto8413]

I really enjoy your videos and how they explain a lot of interesting stories about the industry! I hope you can consider adding a transcript / subtitles or speaking a little slower so that it would be easier to follow.

[@Monicalia]

Because of how overused lip syncing is, kpop fans cant any longer spot the difference between live singing and lip syncing. I roll my eyes at comments like "what a queen, her voice is so stable and her breath control is fantastic, you cant even hear it" and I just can't understand how you can be this deaf (or in denial). An idol barely opens their mouth and somehow is able to hit that high note? After that double backlflip? Are you kidding me?

[@Klapaocious77]

Lip syncing to your own voice is fine, but if it’s like Milli Vanilli type of lip syncing then definitely a BIG NO.

[@chris9879]

Bruh, even the queen Enya lip-syncs during some of her rare public performances because her songs are difficult to be sung live.

[@adamsmoberly]

Somi did this back around December or November, during an awards show. She was doing Dumb Dumb and XOXO and I noticed her singing and when she talked on her microphone, she didn’t sound at all the same. I think some idols should try’s mr sing live (like Somi, because her songs aren’t hard hitting, high note songs), but songs like Red Flavor (RV) and Try To Follow Me (2NE1) and Red Light ( f(x) ) are very loud songs that wash out the singers’ voices (except Luna, who is like one of the best vocalists in Kpop and gets jackshit for her talent), so I think letting them not sing is ok in that case. But there is a technical thing a singer can do and I see it too, singing under music (Kpop fan (not a stan) since 2009). Singing under music is basically when a artist doesn’t sing over it, thus isn’t heard as much, but are still singing. I think SM back a decade ago was having groups do this the first weekend of a comeback release, because most of their artist would sound different when the perform (maybe also to make sure how to sing it live). I honestly don’t mind this, since it can let the singers not strain their voices or to not force them to sing high notes and harm them (a good example of when someone harmed their voice was EXID’s (pronounced E-X-I-D, not X-did) Solji sung high notes so much she had to go on hiatus for Hyperthyroidism, which could have been affected by her singing. So I think having singing under being a thing can help an artist. I also know JiYoon of 4MINUTE during Volume Up promotions had backing vocals on a long high note to help her not wear her voice out singing and I really think it was good, because it didn’t really sound that much like a backing track; she did sing live, just not fully on that part. Honestly Lip Syncing isn’t that bad, it’s just not right to do it all the time, but can help in certain situations or to help your voice.

[@lamoskgr]

If you want to be a singer, you should sing. It's ridiculous to see the level of singing new idols have like Twice. They are the Top group in their country and they can barely sing. Even there lead vocalist's abilities are just average compared to the second generation

[@horizonkyun7203]

ok nayeon vs sohee sing off let’s go!

[@mingteo]

I own this album. Was so crushed when the news hit.

[@bixybobah9171]

omg they had a physical album? thats so cool!

[@mingteo]

@@bixybobah9171 Streaming services weren't really a thing back then.

[@zdana8814]

wow that would be really rare 😮

[@HorrorHound87]

Loved your Video, Midnight 🌌!! Always learning about K-Pop and its History thanks to you ☺️

[@mileycyrus6099]

i don't love a lot of music shows that have live singing with parts of the song recorded and playing behind it mostly because the live singing is always quieter than the recording and i feel i can barely hear their singing. also with 4th gen being centered around dancing i think lip syncing is fine because it can be hard to give a good live performance if the choreo is strenuous. and giving singers a break from time to time can help prevent their voices cracking on live stages and we can all name a few times idols cracked their voices in performances. but they should be required to record their album using their own voice without too much help from auto tune and sing live from time to time.

[@njarasoarumpf8464]

I think BangChan explained the issue quite well in one of his vlive. 4th Gen is more focused on choreographies than 3rd or 2nd Gen. So I understand the use of vocal guide and enhancer. But pretent to sing when you not is pointless to me. I rather see another choreography or no singing but why lying?

[@AracneMusic]

I really don't care about lip syncing on music programs (although I really enjoy the actual live performances that are not perfect), but I think that lip syncing should be avoided in concerts and festivals, unless one of the singers is unwell.

[@briannaa_xo9386]

I’m shocked that lip synching was even an idea brought up in legislation wth. Don’t these politicians have much more important things to be worrying about?

[@Stormith]

1:10 shoutout to XG I am so addicted to their song!!!!

[@seungminbestboi_251]

The way I prefer most is still just a backtrack, where you can very much hear the difference between recorded and live, that is still present enough to not have weird breaks in the song.

[@partoftheway4235]

I don't have a problem with Lip syncing as long as it's their real voice singing on the recording. The reason I say that is because if a person is dancing it could be very hard to sustain singing as you dance because of heavy breathing from movies g a lot with dancing. And then what about auto tune?

[@IchiSwagger]

I think they should (and most do) perform on recordings, and also when the song calls for it, like a ballad or a song with low key choreo. But sometimes you see a performance where the dance is amazing, the stage is great, the music is banging but the vocals are all mixed poorly and they’re out of breath etc. and you would literally enjoy it more if it was more lip synched. And one song is also easier than groups putting on a whole show, night after night. You get exhausted by the end of the show, but you don’t want your vocals failing you. Besides. A performance is not just singing (and you can’t fake dancing). So when it makes sense, lip synching is fine. Also, sometimes the choreography does not take the vocals into consideration (think cignature’s little hoppy bit in the chorus of Boyfriend, that’s almost impossible to sing live over). And then it’s really amazing when a group pulls off a high energy song with live vocals (again with cignature, Nun Nu Nan Na live is just freaking crazy #StanCignature ). Anyway, awesome video again! Thanks!

[@dppss.anxxss]

i hate the fact that people or fans, expect idols to be gods, like immortal beings, where in one whole breath they sung the whole fucking song or somethin' lmao. like no, they're humans, and just like us, they need breath to live, you know, there is a limit of how much you can go. can you even talk when you run miles lol, odd comparison, but no, well -- unless you're a gifted athletic person or some shit, but you'll usually end up without breath to even speak or utter a word. and you're expecting them to sing the whole song live, it hard for groups, can you imagine for soloists? jeez, calm down and actually try it yourself, it's not as easy as it looks. and i've watch this for some time, with older idols i guess, and i like it when they don't even try to hide the fact that they don't sing some parts, where they just smile, dance or don't move their mouths as to say "hey, i'm not signing on this, i'm not afraid to show it", because in reality, they are saving their breath for some other parts that require their full power of their voice or more important. like dance, how some dancers put less energy on some steps or parts and much rather focus on putting energy on certain another parts to make the dance look clean or better, and that makes it look more relaxed or easy to viewers, but it's not, it requires like body control or some shit. lip-sync and singers are completely different things, and while i don't have any judgment on that, we should difference those concepts and not degrade a group or a company because they don't sing live on just one performance or in general, you know they can sing, they have proven it, singing live for me its just a bonus of showing how stable you are as an idol, which was extremely difficult to do so back in the day. like i remember people hating on twice so much for being "talentless" and i was about to join the hate wagon when i realized, "weren't they made on a survival show?", like they have talent! then having their dances "too easy" and not being able to sing live, like dude, they just debuted and barely knew about what they were capable as idols, it takes time to adjust i could assume, like you don't just go in there all prepared and mindset to be a star. legends or popular idols we know now couldn't do that, and back in the day, i guess you could say it wasn't that much important. now, in terms of health, from some of the videos here (big fan lmao), there was an idol, i think rainbow, where a member had overused their voice so much in live performance that they had to go to the hospital and get surgery. so yeah, they could damage their voice, bad, especially if they don't use it correctly or overuse it, so use your logic on that and don't bluntly hate or laugh or mock on idols who don't sing live or struggle to do it, when you, yourself haven't even done it. yes, the times have changed, and some rookies now, come in sounding like they eat cd for breakfast, meal and dinner all day everyday, and since then, standards have been set too high and to the maximum to newly debuted idols.

[@ayomidead5069]

I wish I could get the link for mv, the song is so catchy if only they got to record it themselves

[@1stgenkpop711]

Anyone who thinks their favourite group never lip sync is completely delulu. Unless they are a strictly ballad group who never dances, they all use backup tracks that are often much louder than the singer's mic. It's so obvious. Doesn't mean they do it all the time, but they certainly use it. Also, people seem to think no one could sing during the first gen, and that's just not knowing about the OG legends. What often happened is that groups had one or two strong vocals and the others were mostly eye candy. Which, let's be honest, is often applicable today as well. The industry really hasn't changed as much as people think it did. Technology just got way better.

[@qsxsqsxs]

4:37 woah what scandal is this? Will you be making a video on this too @Midnight Theories?

[@ms.chuisin7727]

I don't mind lip synching but I would like that if the singer were going to lip sync, they gonna have to make it clear he was lip syncing. The singer should at least sing 60% of the lyrics to call it a live performance instead of 50% or less even if it was for throat condition in which they should've just cancel the performance to rest.

[@mccuish]

This group is basically the Kpop version of Milli Vanilli

[@nelliebellie2222]

FACTS

[@alexandramonet]

can't wait for more vids! welcome back!

[@HopeeInk]

Not them pulling the Milli Vanilli 💀. Funny how western pop is literally seeing the same discussion with Elton John collaborating with Britney but targeting Janet and Madonna for years because of them lipsyncing

[@primrose8673]

my two cents on lip syncing, I don't really hate it but sometimes, some idols don't even do it properly making it look obvious and awkward. to some people who absolutely hate on lip syncing to the point where they don't consider them as singers, consider the choreography and the song. they shouldn't be lip syncing all the time but let them do so from time to time. although tbh there are kpop idols who aren't even decent dancers/singers but were able to debut. companies/producers/choreographers should really consider what's realistic and doable rather than just trying to look perfect. or maybe they can let the idol stand still during their parts, idk.

[@grumpycat2092]

I like those performances the most, which are a mix of lip sync and real voice. If the movements are too exhausting at that particular moment, its totally ok to lip sync. But i would also like to hear their real voices when the choreo is not totally exhausting. (In the light of this: I would also like to hear more voices without autotune ;) People are fast to be offended by lip syncing during an exhausting moment, but are totally ok with autotune. Its a little hypocritical..)

[@mami11420]

I personally don’t care about lip syncing on music shows tbh IF there’s other chances for their live vocals to be shown outside of music show promotions. I hate how encore stages are also not fun anymore due to people scrutinizing idols vocals when they’re suppose to be celebrating and having fun with it.. perfection does not need to exist in encore stages. Obviously lying about who’s voice was used when recording the studio version is absolutely wrong, zero excuse for that. Most of the groups I’m into, which are a lot of 4th gen these days, have had multiple moments of showcasing their raw vocals.. so I know it’s them who recorded the studio version. I do have an annoyance at times when some idols have to try to sing louder cuz the backtrack is always up so damn loud.. that is annoying to watch. I’m not about nitpicking when I know they can sing.. and if they aren’t perfect, if they have great people around them then I give them the time to improve *instead of straight up being asshats towards idols*. Many idols admit that they need to practice more and many have shown so much growth.. I appreciate that honesty. Same with dancing too.

[@Nani-0613]

Stealing another's vocals and lip syncing over it is giving Milli Vanilli and JLO. Lift sinking over your own songs it's OK and that's one thing but it's another to get credit for singing songs that either aren't yours or getting credit for being this amazing singer when that's not you singing they're actual people singing but because you have the look they basically have you lip sink over that person singing or they have the music playing in the background to guide you because you don't know the songs also a lot of people in K pop don't write their own music and you can tell who writes their own music and which ones don't because some of the lyrics Don't make sense and even having foreigners like English speakers or Americans and having their rap parts in a song not makes sense it's just bad how do you have someone like Johnny in NCT or mark or J hune in the English lyrics to your own music do not make any sense in English or in Korean I'm confused like there are too many sounds with lyrics don't make sense or the music video doesn't make sense the outfits don't make sense and it's just all over the place Nmixx have talented but every song sounds like the company didn't k ow what concert to do so they put everything into 1 big thing and it's not good . Some can't sing or dance but debut because they come from a wealthy background or have family in the industry

[@Teumeiverse]

I might be thinking too simple or dumb, but why not enforce just singing live with a backtrack..? If they’re sick or something then just let the backtrack play out, and if your confident in your singing abilities then sing the song.. easy right?

[@Soichiro69]

Thank you for another 5 star effort

[@4444randomness]

Everyone just accepts that everyone lip syncs in music videos and I’m fine with lip syncing in general but when you can tell someone is actually singing its like a bonus

[@mackuromii]

This is just like Milli Vanilli.

[@JisungSingsYouAndI]

Same

[@VolumePerfection]

Not really. More like Boney M. One person did sing in the track its just that the other two didn't

[@mackuromii]

@@VolumePerfection Or like the Pussycat Dolls in that sense! It's insane how easy this is, I could become a singer at this point

[@VolumePerfection]

@@mackuromii it wouldn't be like pussycat dolls since it was clear Nicole was only singing and Melody sometimes. This group had one group member actually sing during the track along with the guide singers. In Boney M the same thing happened where I believe 2/4 of the group actually sang in the recorded tracks. The main performer in Boney M wasn't singing so that's why I compared it to them.

[@GleeChan]

Well, I know for sure that I've heard modern girl groups talk about this somewhat. For instance, Soyeon from I-DLE got very defensive when someone suggested that they didn't sing live. Both she and Minnie flat out denied that and said from day one they always did live vocals. So lip-syncing certainly is still a sour spot within the industry today as a top group is still talking about it. Me personally, I think given the amount of performances these idols do during promotions, that certain shows should focus on vocals with little to no choreo while others can focus on dance and allow the idols to lip sync. In this way we satisfy everyone. People are want vocals (and proof the idols can sing) will get it with one show, while the spectacle of full choreo can go on another. I mean, we already have specialty shows like this in a way, so why not make it a bit more wide spread? I don't think idols should have to kill their voices every day during promotion, or their bodies by having to do all that choreo on little to no sleep. Taking turns and breaking it up might be easy on them and give us better performances in both areas as now the idols can laser focus on one thing.

[@sarar4270]

I'm biased on this bc the group I stan doesn't lip sync (ik for a fact). They have difficult choreos and still sing live so I guess my standard is too high for other groups 💀

[@shayleibrooks5560]

I totally get lip syncing when your dancing around and very very rarely using it to help with vocals if you’ve been doing shows back to back (cuz that does take a toll and having that voice is your job) but just lip syncing every performance especially when you don’t need it is when it’s deceitful. I do understand that companies can force artists to do these things and that is when I can sympathize, but doing it just because you can is again deceitful

[@zdana8814]

omg :O they are hard to find😢 but i wouldnt really mind it actually

[@melonpan8892]

Lip syncing and using ghost singers are two different things.

[@nesaqtomelette5568]

i think lip syncing should only acquired on music video and dance video like look at jpop they sing live because its required for them to sing live

[@nesaqtomelette5568]

or if they cant sing cuz of the dance then the backtracking or AR should be require

[@vorletztesjahr]

I mean. These days it feels like 95% of kpop performances are lipsynced and a live perf is.... rare

[@bellaelleira]

I don’t think lip syncing should be banned altogether. Especially for artists on tour and constantly performing because sometimes your voice can literally become shot and you lose your voice. It happens more often that we think. I think it should be only used if a performer is sick. If I have a cold, I can still dance but I might not be able to sing so lip syncing can be useful.

[@OrenjiArms]

you can't just mention how the change from music camp to music core was a scandal and then not elaborate now im even more interested

[@tasi4372]

Performing live is good but we should also keep in mind that idols are humans too. When they have to perform heavy choreography and intense pieces, singing and dancing simultaneously can affect their health. I'm fine if they sing bits in live and lip sync a few parts (like a mixture of both).

[@minusta4]

to-ya in the beginning

[@shruthakeerthi4559]

Toya, Cleo, TTMa...