Lip-syncing is one of the most controversial topics in the K-Pop industry. Fans often debate whether idols should always sing live or if it's acceptable to lip-sync occasionally. When people find out a performance wasn’t fully live, some feel disappointed, while others say it’s not a big deal.

But before jumping to conclusions, it’s worth asking—why do artists lip-sync in the first place? Does it mean they’re not really talented, or is it a sign of laziness? Or perhaps something is happening that fans aren’t aware of. This article will tackle why K-Pop stars have no other choice but to lip-sync.

Why Popular K-Pop Groups In Korea Are Different From Global RankingsK-Pop StoriesMay 29, 2025

Disclaimer:
The videos included in this article are for context and discussion purposes only. Their inclusion does not imply that the writer or publication is accusing the artists of lip-syncing in those specific performances.

 

K-Pop Idols Involved in Lip-Syncing Issues

There have been numerous cases wherein South Korean idols were accused of lip-syncing. Some fan videos show singers accidentally exposing themselves as not singing at a certain event. But even in performances where the artists nailed it, the public would criticize them for not singing live.

One incident involved IVE members Jang WonYoung and LeeSeo. At the 2022 MBC Gayo Daejejeon, these two singers performed IU’s ‘Strawberry Moon.’ People criticized them for lip-syncing even though they were performing while seated. Since dancing was not required for the performance, viewers questioned why they had to lip-sync.

This year, lip-syncing remains a major issue in the K-Pop industry. Last March, BLACKPINK's Lisa attended the 2025 Oscars and participated in an epic tribute to James Bond. She sang the hit song ‘Live and Let Die.’ After the performance, some viewers claimed that Lisa was lip-syncing. The event is known for artists singing live, which is why it became a big controversy.

In the community r/kpop_uncensored on Reddit, users talked about Lisa's Oscar performance. One netizen commented, "She is 100% lip-synching. She hides her mouth too much with her hands, and the camera pans out to nothing happening."

In April, ILLIT became the target of netizens because of their performance on “It's Live.” Some took to X (formerly Twitter) the belief that the group was not singing live despite the show’s name.

Personally, I have mixed feelings about lip-syncing in K-Pop. On one hand, I understand that singing while doing hard choreography can be difficult to pull off. So, it's not a surprise for me if idols lip-sync on music shows, TV programs, and festivals. However, when it comes to concerts, I would like to hear live singing so I can say the experience was totally worth it.

 

Is Lip-Syncing Done in K-Pop and How Does It Work?

With all the accusations about K-Pop idols lip-syncing, could it be true?

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