Sajaegi (chart manipulation) has often been a big issue in the Korean music industry. But it's something that's very difficult for music download sites to track and control. But they're going to try anyway.

According to some representatives, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a meeting regarding sajaegi back in November 20. Among those at the meeting were LOEN Entertainment, KTMusic, CJ E&M, Bugs, Soribada and other music distribution companies. 

They talked about policies, major sajaegi patterns, and discussed what measures and policies could be implemented to prevent it from happening.

They talked about the problems of releasing new music right at midnight. According to representatives, sajaegi usually occurs in the middle of the night. Music releases typically come out at noon and midnight KST, and the representatives are considering eradicating midnight releases altogether.

It's easier for something fishy to get unnoticed when it happens in the middle of the night, as opposed to during the daytime, and there are less users online at that time. It's being said that sajaegi is easier to do at this time and thus more likely to happen.

Even if sajaegi is caught happening in the middle of the night, it is said to be harder for the staff of these music site companies to solve the issue as quickly [compared to daytime].

Because of this issue, midnight releases were stopped temporarily in the past. But it started up again because of the competition in the music industry. And when large agencies decide to release their music from top artists at midnight, music sites have no choice but to agree with it.

SEE ALSO: Rumors suggest HYBE's involvement in cult religion 'Dahn World' possibly part of why Min Hee Jin wanted to leave

That is why reports are saying new music releases might not come out at midnight in the future. Stay tuned for updates.