You hit the nail on the head. They don't need to produce quality music anymore because they know fans will eat up whatever junk is put out. Kpop has always been more about developing strong parasocial relationships with fans and their fave idols. Once a fan becomes personally invested with an idol they will accept just about anything and continue to throw money at these companies. Also, the original goal with the kpop industry (actually all Korean industries) was to expand and become a part of the global stage. Well the country succeeded with this by using their soft power..shows like squid games, groups like b*s etc.
People especially females flock to SK by the droves now "Looking for Mr. Goodbar." I'm getting that reference from the cautionary true tale that was made into a movie in the 70s.
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Someone online described this type of woman perfectly so I'll quote here:
"Older, pop culture phrase referencing the 1977 film of the same name starring Diane Keaton. Used to describe a (still) all too common cultural phenomenon and stereotype, whereupon entering a local watering hole, one spots a noticeably middle aging female who, without asking her, one can already [glean] the following details :
shes endlessly looking for a new job or career;
shes incessantly looking for a [new romantic] partner (or the next good lay she can drum up);
shes constantly looking for the next place to live (in the immediate vicinity or ANYWHERE for that matter);
shes perpetually looking for that next big thing she cant name or describe (and obviously hasnt found yet and, like a character out of a Fitzgerald or Richard Yates novel, probably never will - where ARE all those [golden people] in that golden place ?);
in a phrase, shes a female sad bastard. Shes looking for [mr. goodbar]."
This I believe are the kinds of women going to SK suddenly. This is the effect that over saturation of Kmedia is having on some individuals. The country makes money so what do they care, but I bet the crime rate of attacks on foreigners is sky high there.
Anywayz, sorry for the long rant