JYP Entertainment has long been more than just a record label: from music production to distribution, marketing and concert planning, the label covers every area of the music industry. And with success. JYP has been one of the biggest entertainment companies in South Korea for many years! As such, the label wants to lead by example and, among other things, is committed to the environment.
The entertainment company recently announced its plans to reform the K-Pop albums of its artists!
"We are currently doing our best to find the most environmentally friendly way to replace and reform our artists' CDs." - Park Jinyoung (founder of JYP)
According to the full ESG (environment, social, governance) report, it seems to be heading towards JYP releasing more digital albums in the future and no longer producing physical copies. In recent years, a wide variety of entertainment companies have increasingly offered both physical and digital versions of new albums for sale: they are called “Nemo”, “Digital Code Card”, “Platform” or “Kihno” albums. Buyers receive a very small physical package that is just big enough for a photocard or sometimes a postcard. Besides photocards and other small extras such as stickers, these versions contain a QR code or a number that gives the owner access to digital content: album information such as credits, songs, photos and exclusive videos.
So will there only be digital album versions of JYP's artists in the future? The reform would affect many popular artists such as Twice, Stray Kids or Itzy. Fans' opinions on this are divided. Some don't want to part with the photobooks and fear that the artists will earn less money with the digital albums, while others appreciate JYP's new environmentally friendly approach.
JYP Entertainment would take a high risk, but would send a signal: our environment comes first!
After all, even if the plans are implemented, collectors probably won't have to give up their passion entirely, because most digital albums still come with photocards.
JYP wants to make these photocards from environmentally friendly materials in the future. This also applies to all other fan merchandise from the label's artists. They are to be produced more sustainably. In addition, JYP wants to focus more on reusable fan merchandise.
What do you think of the plans? We are curious whether other entertainment companies will also turn to more environmentally friendly alternatives in the future!
