G-Dragon's new music video only available for thumb drive owners
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G-Dragon's USB solo ablum "Kwon Ji Yong" / Courtesy of YG Entertainment
By Kim Jae-heun
Rapper G-Dragon’s new music video for “Bullshit,” a track on his latest solo album “Kwon Ji Yong,” will be only available to those who purchase the album that was released in the form of a memory stick with a serial number.
The album was released June 8 on a thumb drive, causing a dispute over whether to accept it as a real album or not. The memory stick does not contain any music files but will connect to YG Entertainment’s website where people can download tracks after inserting a serial number.
Gaon Music Chart, a weekly music list officiated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, denied approving it as an official album.
Gaon said it is sticking to its principle that only music recorded on a disc will be accepted as an “album” as there is a boundary that segments a digital chart, a download chart and an album chart.
The categorization of music released in different formats is important as it decides the copyright payment to musicians.
The singer receives some 10 percent higher royalties when a hard copy of his album is sold versus downloaded online.
G-Dragon reignited the controversy last Friday, when he revealed his new music video with limited access.
The rapper chose not to open the new content for everyone online and only made it available for download with a serial code.
G-Dragon’s management, YG Entertainment said Monday it will continue to update new content and upload it online for those who have purchased the USB.
G-Dragon’s thumb drive album was sold at double the price of other singers’ hard copy albums.
The Korea Music Copyright Association has yet to decide whether to accept G-Dragon’s memory stick as an official disc album or not.
This issue is continuing to create controversies over G-dragon’s suggestion of a new music consumption ecosystem and royalty payment standards.