Numerous futurists have predicted the 21st century will be the “century of culture”, emphasizing the need for a clear vision of culture to prepare for the future. In recent years, the status of K-POP has risen, leading to an exponential increase i...
Numerous futurists have predicted the 21st century will be the “century of culture”, emphasizing the need for a clear vision of culture to prepare for the future. In recent years, the status of K-POP has risen, leading to an exponential increase in global demand for Korean cultural content such as K-Movie, K-Drama, and K-Beauty, alongside the spread of Hallyu(the Korean Wave). K-POP is undeniably at the forefront of this phenomenon, proving that Korean pop music has boundless potential for development in the global market.
This study focuses on constructing a digital archive for K-POP which plays a crucial role in propelling Hallyu. It aims to recognize the future value of K-POP and the significance of digital archiving, facilitating ongoing research through the deployment of online archive services. Specifically, the study delves deep into creating a system for digital archiving and online service strategies for BTS, an artist with a global fan network as well as a key figure in the Hallyu craze.
The research involves a comprehensive analysis of 14 advanced Korean and international institutions currently offering digital archive services in the music and cultural arts sector. The study has extracted insights and approaches from these selected best-case studies, particularly focusing on online accessibility, public service(user service), and search convenience(classification system).
Subsequently, the study has established a framework for digital archive services and archiving strategies for BTS materials, including identifying the materials for the BTS archive, categorizing types of materials, defining the characteristics of the BTS archive, and outlining a step-by-step process for the digital archiving of BTS materials, along with a classification system for various types of BTS documents and strategies for their collection and acquisition.
Furthermore, the researcher conducted a month-long online survey using Google Forms, targeting Korean and international audiences interested in K-POP and BTS. The survey consisted of 47 questions across eight categories, covering topics ranging from awareness of archives and digital archives to strategies for collecting and classifying BTS materials, as well as service strategies for the BTS digital archive. Most of the respondents responded positively to the survey. However, they also suggested additional considerations, such as recognizing the current status of materials, the need for legal measures for copyright and preservation, and establishing storage facilities for record preservation. Additionally, the study aims to incorporate more detailed and further research into aspects like providing user-friendly UI/UX designs for the BTS digital archive services, which the researcher had not initially anticipated.
The significance of this research lies in its contribution to the advancement of Korean popular music, the preservation of cultural and heritage value of BTS materials, and the establishment of a practical guideline for enhancing the global standing of K-POP. The digital archive for K-POP and BTS materials not only holds future value as a collection but also provides cultural and heritage identity, making a significant contribution to the development of the Korean pop music industry. The digital records related to BTS will serve as crucial foundational resources and infrastructure for researchers studying K-POP, providing cultural, heritage, and social value to future generations.
Thus, this research will be a crucial resource and foundation for future researchers studying digital archiving and online services for K-POP and related content. It also promises to provide general users with easy and quick access to a vast amount of cultural heritage information and the opportunity to create new secondary cultural content by effectively utilizing various contents.
However, the research lacks empirical evidence from actual system construction as it focuses on selected best-case study analyses to establish the BTS digital archive services. Moreover, the limited number of international respondents in the survey hinders the ability to conduct a comparative analysis of archival needs and preferences across different age groups and countries. These aspects will be left as topics for future research and subsequent paper