Case Study: Genius Korea Editorial Work

01 — Project details

Role: Volunteer Editor
Client: Genius Korea (Public forum for Korean music, dramas, and culture)
Project Type: Fresh Pick Article - K-pop Album Review
Timeline: 3-4 hours
Publication: January 2025
Published Links:

Project Scope: Edit and format a sensitive Fresh Pick article covering PURPLE KISS's final album before their announced disbandment. This 1,500+ word piece required careful handling of emotional content while maintaining professional editorial standards and extensive technical formatting.

Unique Editorial Challenges:

  • Sensitive subject matter requiring balanced tone between celebration and farewell

  • Complex discography references spanning multiple English versions of Korean tracks

  • Extensive link integration for band member profiles and cross-referenced songs

  • Emotional weight management while adhering to Genius Korea's "positive tone" guidelines

  • Fact-checking disbandment timeline and tour information

Key Requirements:

  • Navigate emotionally charged content about group disbandment professionally

  • Apply HTML formatting for 20+ song and album references

  • Research and integrate links for individual member profiles

  • Structure multiple title track coverage with proper sectioning

  • Maintain journalistic objectivity while acknowledging fan sentiment

  • Complete comprehensive formatting within extended 3-4 hour timeline

02 — Editorial Process

Content Structure Challenges:

This article presented unique structural complexity due to PURPLE KISS's disbandment announcement and the album containing both new tracks and English versions of previous releases. I reorganized the content to create clear narrative flow while managing the emotional weight of the group's final release.

Technical Formatting Implementation:

  • Album Title Formatting: Applied italic formatting for multiple album references: [*OUR NOW*], [*I Miss My…*]

  • Song Title Management: Formatted 15+ song titles with proper quotation marks and linking: ["DOREMI"], ["WANT U BACK"], ["Unhappily Ever After"]

  • Artist Profile Integration: Researched and added individual member links including [Na Go Eun], [Chaein] for songwriter credits

  • Section Organization: Added horizontal line separators (<hr>) between title tracks, B-sides, and conclusion

  • Image Link Processing: Converted promotional images to web-compatible links using Genius sandbox system

Research and Fact-Checking:

  • Verified disbandment announcement timeline and RBW Entertainment statement

  • Cross-referenced English versions with original Korean tracks in Genius database

  • Confirmed songwriter and producer credits for new tracks

  • Validated tour information and dates for "A Violet to Remember" U.S. tour

  • Checked music video continuity details between original and English "DOREMI" versions

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03 — Results

Publication Success:

  • Article successfully published on Genius Korea website and promoted across social media platforms

  • Featured on Genius Korea Twitter/X account, contributing to platform's 4,003 Instagram followers and established social media presence

  • Met all technical and editorial standards despite sensitive subject matter

  • Demonstrated ability to handle complex emotional content while maintaining professional standards

Technical Achievement:

  • Successfully integrated 20+ formatted links within 3-4 hour timeframe

  • Managed complex discography cross-references without errors

  • Applied proper HTML formatting for multi-layered content structure

  • Processed multiple image links and video embeds accurately

Editorial Impact:

  • Contributed to Genius Korea's mission of documenting Korean music through challenging transitional period

  • Provided fans with comprehensive, professionally edited coverage of significant industry moment

  • Demonstrated editorial capability to handle sensitive industry news while maintaining platform standards

  • Enhanced portfolio with evidence of handling complex, emotionally resonant content

Professional Development:

This project expanded my editorial skill set by requiring:

  • Sensitivity in covering industry departures and group transitions

  • Advanced HTML formatting for interconnected content references

  • Research skills for validating emotional and factual claims

  • Time management for extended editing sessions (3-4 hours vs. typical 2 hours)

  • Cross-platform content optimization for both web and social media distribution

04 — Key Takeaways

This case study demonstrates advanced editorial skills in managing sensitive industry content while maintaining technical precision. The Purple Kiss article required balancing emotional storytelling with journalistic objectivity, showcasing ability to handle complex industry narratives while meeting strict formatting and factual accuracy standards.

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+13%

Impressions

+14%

Engagement