K-pop as a genre will always evolve, says SM Entertainment executive

Core Insights - K-pop is a significant export industry for South Korea, contributing to approximately half of the auto exports, which totaled 68.3 billion USD last year [1] - The Chinese market has been largely absent from the K-pop scene due to a de facto ban on Korean wave products, including K-pop music, for the past decade [2] - The ban inadvertently pushed K-pop companies to explore markets beyond China, such as Europe and North America, leading to a global expansion of K-pop [3] Industry Dynamics - SM Entertainment's CEO acknowledges the importance of the Chinese market due to its proximity and large K-pop fandom, but also raises concerns about the evolving preferences of Chinese fans as local pop music gains popularity [4] - The universal appeal of music as an art form is emphasized, suggesting that K-pop can resonate with audiences regardless of language barriers [5] - K-pop is described as a strong and evolving genre, with continuous efforts from artists and industry professionals to enhance the quality of music and content [5]