Are broadcasters' K-pop lyrics review systems still relevant?

G-Dragon's new single deemed unsuitable for broadcasting by KBS

By Pyo Kyung-min

Singer G-Dragon's latest single, "Home Sweet Home," featuring fellow BIGBANG members Taeyang and Daesung, was deemed unfit for broadcast by Korea's public broadcaster KBS.

The decision announced Wednesday revived concerns over whether the criteria used by broadcasters to assess music still remain relevant in today’s media landscape.

KBS cited specific brand references in the song's lyrics as a violation of Article 46 of the Broadcasting Deliberation Regulations. This rule prohibits content that could be perceived as advertising, leading to the broadcaster’s rejection of the track.

Upon the decision, artists may revise or omit flagged portions of their lyrics and submit them for reevaluation. Only songs reapproved in the review process can air on KBS' platforms, including TV and radio programs.

Released on Nov. 22, "Home Sweet Home" marks G-Dragon’s return just a month after his last single, "Power." The track was one of the seven tracks — five reviewed as unsuitable and two excluded from screening — deemed unsuitable for broadcasting by KBS among the 180 songs it reviewed this month.

This decision follows a series of high-profile rejections by KBS in recent months. On Nov. 6, rookie girl group BABYMONSTER’s newly released single "Clik Clak" was rejected for referencing specific brands.

BLACKPINK Jennie’s "Mantra" and NCT Jaehyun’s "Unconditional" also faced rejection in October for the same reason.

KBS has also banned songs for explicit lyrics. Earlier this year, K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE’s "Wife" was found unfit for airing for its "overly descriptive lyrics," according to the broadcaster.

BTS member Jimin’s 2023 solo track "Face-off" was designated unfit for profanity, while nine out of 11 songs from RM’s solo album, "Right Place, Wrong Person," received the same ruling for using curse words, slang, or coarse language.

Still relevant?

KBS conducts internal reviews based on the Broadcasting Deliberation Regulations outlined by the Korea Communications Standards Commission. These standards include 15 criteria just for lyrics, covering issues such as distortion of historical facts, undermining social order and promoting antisocial or unhealthy values.

In a statement, KBS said its guidelines respect “cultural diversity and creative freedom” while maintaining “fairness and consistency in deliberations.”

The broadcaster added that review committee members consider factors like genre and production quality without making subjective interpretations of lyrics.

However, critics have long questioned whether the current review standards of broadcasters still remain relevant in the streaming era, where audiences increasingly consume music outside traditional platforms.

Transparency in the review process has also been a persistent issue, with Korea’s three major broadcasters — KBS, MBC and SBS — applying differing and often inconsistent criteria.

Such criticism dates back to at least 2011, when lawmakers during a National Assembly audit said that the rulings "suppress creative freedom and hinder freedom of expression by imposing broadcast bans based on subjective and conceptual standards," calling for "concrete guidelines" to ensure fairness and consistency.