This can be seen as a method of manipulation and control. .
Because of such reliance on commodified art, Adorno wrote that the consuming public had lost the ability to be discerning of issues that could possibly deserve attention – due to their inability to critically assess their situation as it is so much simpler to be docile and accept the imposed status quo. He wrote about how the culture industry produces and makes available a wide array of media to suit the maximum possible tastes, from films to musical recordings, to appeal to as wide a market as possible. Choice has been made an illusion as all the sold forms of media are of the same standardised and commodified nature, with only enough discernibility to be seen as free-standing and unique to the public – who exercise "pseudo-individualisation" to choose their favourite. This comes into play in the Kpop industry with the existence of various fandoms. Despite such small perceived differences, the preconceived notions and expectations by media consumers leads to the general public repelling and downplaying any media product that could be seen as genuinely innovative. In K-pop, the reinforcement of song lengths under four minutes, the 4/4 time signature and the important adherence to the repetition of only a handful of lyrical themes makes it an ideal example of such an effort by the media elites to impose expectations on the public. .
The culture industry provides relief to the masses through the enjoyment of the commodified media, but the relief itself is shallow pleasure that serves to distract the individual from any form of deep reasoning or critical thought about their place in the hierarchy of society. Also, the control of the culture industry is paramount and steadfastly embedded in the profit motive and capitalism due to the need for individuals' to have to purchase their methods of relaxation and respite from the stresses of daily life and the workplace.
