On April 9, 2025, Billboard Korea featured an in-depth interview with Yugyeom from GOT7, titled “Artist Spotlight: YUGYEOM at USC.”In this conversation, the K-pop sensation shared his views on the growing trend of lip-syncing within the K-pop industry, expressing genuine concern for the future of live performances.
Yugyeom articulated the significance of performing live, stating that it’s “a shame”that many K-pop artists now choose to pre-record their vocals or lip-sync during shows. He reflected on his own experiences, noting that, during his early career, live performances were the norm.
“In my generation, we used to do a lot more live performances on music shows. But now, it’s become a trend to not do a lot of live performances. So I personally feel like it’s a shame. Because there’s something about the energy that you get when you’re live. But since it’s missing now, personally, it’s regretful.”
This sentiment resonated with many fans who cherish the authenticity of live performances. It’s a point of contention, as some music enthusiasts recognize the complexities that idols face, merging elaborate choreography with the demands of singing in real-time.
Yugyeom’s remarks received overwhelmingly positive feedback from fans, many of whom advocated for increased live singing in K-pop events. Supporters asserted that real vocals facilitate a deeper emotional connection between performers and their audience, enriching the overall concert experience.
“Speak louderrr man! I totally agree with him,”tweeted a fan on X.
Many fans echoed Yugyeom’s views, stressing that live performances are crucial for fostering an “emotional connection”with the audience. They sketched a powerful picture of how artists singing live can convey their emotions more deeply, establishing a bridge to their listeners’ hearts.
“He is totally right. Hearing someone sing live is amazing. You can hear their emotions and establish an emotional connection with them and the lyrics. A bridge to the heart,”wrote a fan.
“I feel the same way about K-pop nowadays. Artists singing live have that extra something. But it seems to be getting rarer, which is strange because idols are singers!”added another user.
“Bring back live performances! What’s the point of watching performers if it’s not live? The energy’s just different,”commented a netizen.
Fans lauded Yugyeom for voicing “the truth”on such a prominent platform, advocating for authenticity in music.
“This is also why I can’t stan new groups, because live singing just hits differently. If performances start looking and sounding the same, I lose interest,”another fan stated.
“Damn, he dares to tell the truth. Love him,”remarked another supporter.
“Did he lie?? My man knows live performances are the best. GOT7 and live performances go hand in hand, it’s live or nothing for them,”added a user.
Yugyeom’s Insights Highlight Ongoing Lip-Syncing Controversies in K-Pop
The topic of lip-syncing in K-Pop has gained more visibility, especially following recent incidents involving major artists. Notably, BLACKPINK’s Lisa faced criticism during her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards in September 2024, where discrepancies between her lip movements and vocals led many to question the authenticity of her performance.
Additionally, while performing at the Global Citizen Festival later that month, Lisa encountered similar suspicions with audience members believing her vocals were pre-recorded during her set, which included the unreleased track “Moonlit Floor.”
During the Coachella festival in April 2024, rookie girl group LE SSERAFIM also faced lip-syncing allegations. Fans observed instances where the vocal track continued despite visible differences in microphone handling, leading to debates about live vocal expectations at major festivals.
In May 2022, aespa met with backlash during their performance at the Korea University Festival, where attendees noted a reliance on lip-synced tracks. Such events sparked critical conversations about the prevalence of pre-recorded vocals in live shows.
In an industry where performance authenticity is increasingly questioned, Yugyeom’s comments shed light on a crucial topic that resonates with many fans and artists alike.