Yang Hyun-suk criticises the new pre-screening policy
11 Aug – With a new policy implemented by the Korea Media Rating Board, whereby all music videos produced must be screened before uploading to the Internet, YG Entertainment's CEO, Yang Hyun-suk decided to speak his mind and made his protest against the system.
As reported on Allkpop website the former Seo Tai-ji and the Boys member and one of Korea's top music moguls talked to the media and strongly criticised the system, stating "In the early 90′s, we were often censored for colouring our hair. This new policy reminds me of those days."
The YG boss stated that he felt that the screening policy may slow down if not dampen the progress of the K-Pop wave across the globe. The said system, he said, "...only daunts the artists and the producers."
Yang stated, "We were planning on promoting G-Dragon's new album starting in mid-August, but it looks like we may have to rearrange our plans. PSY's fresh and humorous "Gangnam Style" MV is going viral all over the world, but if this new policy gets implemented, we are going to have to think twice before we produce this kind of project again."
The CEO believed that an urgent debate needs to take place in regards to the new policy.
The criticism was made after the announcement saying that starting from 18 August, all music videos and teaser videos that are produced by any entertainment company must be first deliberately screened by the Korean Media Rating Board before being uploaded onto YouTube or any other portal sites on the Internet, and it will be evaluated from seven to 10 days before making a decision – a term that annoys Yang Hyun-suk, who stated that the production of an album and music videos are not supposed to be tempered with.
It was also announced that if a video is found to be uploaded onto the Internet without first being screened, those responsible can be subject to fines up to US$17,000 or even 2 years of probation.
The Korea Media Rating Board explained, "The pre-screening policy was implemented as an attempt to protect the youth."
