The K-pop industry is currently having a big discussion about using artificial intelligence (AI) in making music. This topic has become more popular as some well-known K-pop groups, like the boy band Seventeen, start to use AI technology for their music videos and songs. Seventeen, which sold about 16 million albums last year, has caught attention with their new album and single called “Maestro.” The music video for this song includes scenes created by AI, and band member Woozi shared his excitement about using AI in music during a recent album launch in Seoul.

Woozi talked about how important it is to keep up with new technology instead of fighting against it. He mentioned, “We practiced making songs with AI, as we want to develop along with technology.” However, he later clarified on social media that all of Seventeen’s music is still written by people. This statement has led to mixed feelings among fans. Some fans want stricter rules on using AI in music, while others see the benefits. For example, super fan Ashley Peralta thinks AI can help artists get past creative blocks, but she is concerned that relying too much on AI lyrics could make the connection between artists and fans less personal.

The worries about AI in K-pop go beyond just individual fan opinions. Chelsea Toledo, a K-pop fan and podcaster, shared her concerns about how AI might affect the authenticity of music. She pointed out that if Seventeen released an album with AI-written lyrics, it might not feel as genuine to fans compared to their earlier work. This feeling is common in the K-pop community, where many people believe that keeping a human touch in music is really important for the genre’s charm.

From a production point of view, Chris Nairn, a composer and songwriter in K-pop, recognized that the industry is always looking for new ideas. He mentioned that while AI can create decent lyrics, it doesn’t have the ability to make truly original content. Nairn thinks that fans will continue to want personal and heartfelt lyrics, which shows that even if AI becomes a part of K-pop’s future, it won’t replace the essential human element that makes the genre special. Other groups, like Aespa, are also starting to use AI in their music videos, but this trend raises concerns about losing artistic integrity and how to credit original artwork. As the conversation about the ethics of AI continues, many in the K-pop community are hoping for clearer rules to protect the artistry of musicians.

Original news source: Will K-pop’s AI experiment pay off? (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will take turns acting out various terms related to the K-pop industry and AI (e.g., “music video,” “album release,” “artificial intelligence,” “fan engagement”). The other groups will guess what term is being acted out. This will help build vocabulary in a fun, interactive way.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Create a list of statements related to the use of AI in music (e.g., “AI should be allowed to write lyrics,” “Human creativity is more important than technology”). Students will walk around the classroom and ask their classmates to agree or disagree with each statement. They will tally the responses and share their findings with the class, promoting discussion and practice in expressing opinions.

– MIND MAP
Instructions: In small groups, students will create a mind map on a large piece of paper about the impact of AI in the K-pop industry. They should include branches for different aspects such as “benefits,” “concerns,” “fan reactions,” and “future predictions.” After 15 minutes, each group will present their mind map to the class, fostering collaborative learning and critical thinking.

– VOCABULARY PICTIONARY
Instructions: Write key vocabulary words from the article (e.g., “authenticity,” “technology,” “creative block”) on separate slips of paper. Students will take turns drawing a word and then illustrating it on the board without using letters or numbers, while their classmates guess the word. This activity enhances vocabulary retention and encourages creative expression.

– FUTURE PREDICTIONS
Instructions: Students will pair up and discuss how they think the use of AI in the K-pop industry will evolve over the next five years. Each pair will write down their predictions and then share them with the class. This activity encourages critical thinking and the use of future tense while discussing a relevant topic.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the main topic of discussion in the K-pop industry mentioned in the article?
2. How has the boy band Seventeen incorporated AI technology into their music?
3. What did Woozi say about the importance of technology in music creation?
4. How do fans feel about the use of AI in K-pop music according to the article?
5. What concerns did Chelsea Toledo express regarding AI and the authenticity of music?
6. According to Chris Nairn, what is the limitation of AI when it comes to creating music?
7. Why do some people in the K-pop community want clearer rules about the use of AI?
8. How does the article describe the potential impact of AI on the connection between artists and fans?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The K-pop industry is currently having a big (1)______ about using artificial intelligence (AI) in making music. This topic has become more popular as some well-known K-pop groups, like the boy band (2)______, start to use AI technology for their music videos and (3)______. Seventeen, which sold about 16 million albums last year, has caught attention with their new album and single called “Maestro.” The music video for this song includes scenes created by AI, and band member Woozi shared his excitement about using AI in music during a recent album launch in Seoul.

Woozi talked about how (4)______ it is to keep up with new technology instead of fighting against it. He mentioned, “We practiced making songs with AI, as we want to develop along with technology.” However, he later clarified on social media that all of Seventeen’s music is still written by (5)______. This statement has led to mixed (6)______ among fans. Some fans want stricter (7)______ on using AI in music, while others see the benefits. For (8)______, super fan Ashley Peralta thinks AI can help artists get past creative blocks, but she is concerned that relying too much on AI lyrics could make the connection between artists and fans less personal.

The worries about AI in K-pop go beyond just individual fan opinions. Chelsea Toledo, a K-pop fan and podcaster, shared her concerns about how AI might affect the authenticity of (9)______. She pointed out that if Seventeen released an album with AI-written lyrics, it might not feel as genuine to fans compared to their earlier work. This feeling is common in the K-pop (10)______, where many people believe that keeping a human touch in music is really important for the genre’s charm.

From a production point of view, (11)______ Nairn, a composer and songwriter in K-pop, recognized that the industry is always (12)______ for new ideas. He mentioned that while AI can create decent lyrics, it doesn’t have the ability to make truly original content. Nairn thinks that fans will continue to want (13)______ and heartfelt lyrics, which (14)______ that even if AI becomes a part of K-pop’s future, it won’t replace the essential human element that makes the genre special. Other (15)______, like Aespa, are also starting to use AI in their music videos, but this trend raises concerns about losing artistic (16)______ and how to credit original artwork. As the conversation about the ethics of AI continues, many in the K-pop community are hoping for clearer rules to protect the artistry of musicians.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your opinion on using artificial intelligence in music? Do you think it’s a good idea? Why or why not?

2. How would you feel if your favorite artist started using AI to write their songs?

3. Do you think that AI can create music that feels genuine and heartfelt? Why or why not?

4. What is a creative block, and how do you think artists usually overcome it?

5. How important do you think it is for music to have a human touch? Why?

6. Have you ever experienced a time when you felt disconnected from an artist or their music? What happened?

7. Do you like the idea of music videos that include scenes created by AI? Why or why not?

8. What do you think are the benefits of using AI in the music industry?

9. How would you feel if there were stricter rules about using AI in music? Would you support that?

10. Do you think fans should have a say in how artists use technology like AI? Why or why not?

11. What is your favorite song, and what do you think makes it special? Would it feel the same if it was created by AI?

12. How do you think the use of AI in music could change the way artists connect with their fans?

13. Do you think the K-pop industry should be more open to using AI, or should they stick to traditional methods? Why?

14. What is your experience with technology in creative fields? Do you think it helps or hinders creativity?

15. How would you feel if an artist you admired released a song that was entirely written by AI? Would you still support them? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. artificial
2. technology
3. clarified
4. authenticity
5. genuine
6. composer
7. integrity
8. ethics
9. artistry
10. originality
11. production
12. connection
13. creativity
14. essential
15. trend

Meanings:
(A) Real and sincere, not fake
(B) The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles
(C) Skill and imagination in creating something artistic
(D) The quality of being real or true
(E) A general direction in which something is developing or changing
(F) The ability to think of new and different ideas
(G) A person who writes music
(H) Made something clear or easier to understand
(I) The process of making or creating something
(J) The use of science to solve problems or invent useful things
(K) Absolutely necessary or very important
(L) Moral principles that govern a person’s behavior
(M) The use of imagination to create something new
(N) Made by humans, not natural
(O) A relationship or link between people or things
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Which K-pop group is mentioned as using AI technology in their music?
(a) BTS
(b) Blackpink
(c) Seventeen
(d) EXO

2. What is the title of Seventeen’s new album and single?
(a) Harmony
(b) Symphony
(c) Maestro
(d) Crescendo

3. What did Woozi express excitement about during the album launch?
(a) Using AI in music
(b) Touring internationally
(c) Collaborating with other artists
(d) Winning an award

4. What concern did super fan Ashley Peralta have regarding AI in music?
(a) It would make music too expensive to produce
(b) It could make the connection between artists and fans less personal
(c) It would eliminate music genres
(d) It would make concerts less enjoyable

5. What did Chelsea Toledo worry about regarding AI-written lyrics?
(a) They might not feel as genuine to fans
(b) They would be too popular
(c) They would be too difficult to sing
(d) They would overshadow live performances

6. What did Chris Nairn say about AI’s ability to create lyrics?
(a) It is the future of songwriting
(b) It is better than human writers
(c) It is only useful for pop songs
(d) It can’t make truly original content

7. Which other K-pop group is mentioned as starting to use AI in their music videos?
(a) ITZY
(b) Aespa
(c) Red Velvet
(d) GOT7

8. What do many in the K-pop community hope for regarding the use of AI in music?
(a) More AI-generated songs
(b) Complete elimination of AI
(c) A focus on international markets
(d) Clearer rules to protect artistry

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Chris Nairn, a composer in K-pop, believes that while AI can create lyrics, it cannot produce truly original content.
2. Woozi, a member of Seventeen, expressed his excitement about using AI in music during an album launch in Seoul.
3. The K-pop industry is not currently discussing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in music production.
4. Woozi clarified that all of Seventeen’s music is still written by people, despite their use of AI technology.
5. Seventeen’s new album and single is not called “Maestro.”
6. The boy band Seventeen has not started incorporating AI technology into their music videos and songs.
7. Some fans are worried that using AI in music could make the connection between artists and fans less personal.
8. Chelsea Toledo, a K-pop fan and podcaster, is not concerned that AI-written lyrics might not feel genuine to fans.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What are some ways K-pop groups are using artificial intelligence in their music?
2. How does band member Woozi feel about using AI in music creation?
3. What are some concerns that fans have about AI-written lyrics in K-pop?
4. Why do some fans believe that keeping a human touch in music is important?
5. What does Chris Nairn think about the originality of lyrics created by AI?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the main topic of discussion in the K-pop industry mentioned in the article?
The main topic of discussion is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in making music.

2. How has the boy band Seventeen incorporated AI technology into their music?
Seventeen has incorporated AI technology by using it in their music videos and songs, specifically in their new album and single called “Maestro,” which features AI-created scenes in the music video.

3. What did Woozi say about the importance of technology in music creation?
Woozi said it is important to keep up with new technology instead of fighting against it, and he expressed excitement about practicing making songs with AI to develop alongside technology.

4. How do fans feel about the use of AI in K-pop music according to the article?
Fans have mixed feelings; some want stricter rules on using AI in music, while others see potential benefits, like helping artists overcome creative blocks.

5. What concerns did Chelsea Toledo express regarding AI and the authenticity of music?
Chelsea Toledo expressed concerns that if Seventeen released an album with AI-written lyrics, it might not feel as genuine to fans compared to their earlier work, affecting the authenticity of the music.

6. According to Chris Nairn, what is the limitation of AI when it comes to creating music?
Chris Nairn believes that while AI can create decent lyrics, it lacks the ability to produce truly original content and that fans will continue to want personal and heartfelt lyrics.

7. Why do some people in the K-pop community want clearer rules about the use of AI?
Some people want clearer rules to protect the artistry of musicians and to address concerns about losing artistic integrity and how to credit original artwork.

8. How does the article describe the potential impact of AI on the connection between artists and fans?
The article suggests that relying too much on AI for lyrics could make the connection between artists and fans less personal, as fans value the human touch in music.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) discussion
(2) Seventeen
(3) songs
(4) important
(5) people
(6) feelings
(7) rules
(8) example
(9) music
(10) community
(11) Chris
(12) looking
(13) personal
(14) shows
(15) groups
(16) integrity
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. artificial
Answer: (N) Made by humans, not natural

2. technology
Answer: (J) The use of science to solve problems or invent useful things

3. clarified
Answer: (H) Made something clear or easier to understand

4. authenticity
Answer: (D) The quality of being real or true

5. genuine
Answer: (A) Real and sincere, not fake

6. composer
Answer: (G) A person who writes music

7. integrity
Answer: (B) The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles

8. ethics
Answer: (L) Moral principles that govern a person’s behavior

9. artistry
Answer: (C) Skill and imagination in creating something artistic

10. originality
Answer: (F) The ability to think of new and different ideas

11. production
Answer: (I) The process of making or creating something

12. connection
Answer: (O) A relationship or link between people or things

13. creativity
Answer: (M) The use of imagination to create something new

14. essential
Answer: (K) Absolutely necessary or very important

15. trend
Answer: (E) A general direction in which something is developing or changing
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Which K-pop group is mentioned as using AI technology in their music?
Answer: (c) Seventeen

2. What is the title of Seventeen’s new album and single?
Answer: (c) Maestro

3. What did Woozi express excitement about during the album launch?
Answer: (a) Using AI in music

4. What concern did super fan Ashley Peralta have regarding AI in music?
Answer: (b) It could make the connection between artists and fans less personal

5. What did Chelsea Toledo worry about regarding AI-written lyrics?
Answer: (a) They might not feel as genuine to fans

6. What did Chris Nairn say about AI’s ability to create lyrics?
Answer: (d) It can’t make truly original content

7. Which other K-pop group is mentioned as starting to use AI in their music videos?
Answer: (b) Aespa

8. What do many in the K-pop community hope for regarding the use of AI in music?
Answer: (d) Clearer rules to protect artistry
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Chris Nairn, a composer in K-pop, believes that while AI can create lyrics, it cannot produce truly original content. (Answer: True)
2. Woozi, a member of Seventeen, expressed his excitement about using AI in music during an album launch in Seoul. (Answer: True)
3. The K-pop industry is not currently discussing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in music production. (Answer: False)
4. Woozi clarified that all of Seventeen’s music is still written by people, despite their use of AI technology. (Answer: True)
5. Seventeen’s new album and single is not called “Maestro.” (Answer: False)
6. The boy band Seventeen has not started incorporating AI technology into their music videos and songs. (Answer: False)
7. Some fans are worried that using AI in music could make the connection between artists and fans less personal. (Answer: True)
8. Chelsea Toledo, a K-pop fan and podcaster, is not concerned that AI-written lyrics might not feel genuine to fans. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧