Kpop

In South Korea, I had the opportunity to connect with incredibly talented artists and inspiring professionals in K-pop music management, hearing their stories and learning about their journeys. Just like Hollywood and the American music industry, K-pop isn’t all glitz and glamour—behind the scenes, there’s a side of darkness that often goes unseen. Like everything in life, there is a price to pay, and more often than not, it's not worth the cost.

I have immense respect for the dedication and sacrifice of the artists I met. Many of them started as young as 12, spending the next 4-8 years in intense training to prepare for their ‘debut.’ One artist I met shared that, after eight years of training as a dancer and rapper, he decided to walk away from performing. Despite all he had invested, he chose to leave and work in a way that would allow his creativity to flourish independently and give him more control over his music. He saw this path as a way to reclaim his identity, steering his career in a direction where he wouldn’t feel like just a ‘product.’

During my time on Dawn Island, I encountered men who seemingly had nothing, recovering drug addicts, yet they possessed everything because they had Jesus. We often equate wealth with money and material possessions, but in truth, without Jesus, we have nothing. With Him, we have everything.

Jesus said in Revelation 3:17: 'You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.'

At almost 300 kids at our Brooklyn studio, we often hear people say “I hope you’re the next Taylor Swift or that you become rich and famous.” But I tell my students that I just want them to enjoy the music, to use it to help others, and to bring joy to their friends and family. I don’t want them to be the next Taylor Swift or whoever because that world can be so dark. I simply want them to use their music to be the light.

The more I see of the music industry and business in general—and as my music school business grows—the more this verse resonates with me: 'What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?' (Matthew 16:26). 

What does it matter if we have all the money in the world but lose our faith and our soul?"