Music / Idols

Chocolat – A Sign of Things to Come?

Written by Ashley On August 5, 2011

On August 17th, K-pop fans will be privy to yet another girl group, a quintet by the name of Chocolat. But, you may stop to wonder, what makes this group (supposedly) so special. Three-fifths of the group are biracial- half-Korean, half-Caucasian, with American fathers and Korean mothers. This makes them the “first” bi-racial Idol Group, if we conveniently forget about SM’s female duo, Isak N Jiyeon that debuted in 2002. Kim Isak is also half-Caucasian and half-Korean.

Kpop fans are also used to seeing foreign members within groups as well, most recognizably Nickhun (Thai, 2PM) and Fei and Jia (Chinese, Miss A). As a solo act, Tasha Reid (or T or Yoon Mi-rae) made her start in short-lived singing groups. T has an African-American, father and Korean mother. Needless say, other groups from other companies employ non-Korean acts as well.

All things considered, it appears that the extreme touting of the biracial members of Chocolat is a marketing ploy. However, how effective is their marketing positioning? Unless you’re well-practiced at “being bi-racial”, the three girls don’t stand out much from the other two in terms of looks or behavior. Consider the fact that they have been training in Korea for about two years, the specialness wears off a little bit.

With all of the global casting calls and auditions being implemented, isn’t it time for someone take it to the next level and really diversify the talent pool? Is it possible to have a truly integrated K-pop group that is accepted by other Koreans? As music trends and dances are constantly being borrowed from the West, a member from the West would be beneficial. Imagine what Natalie White aka Pumashock or any other Youtube star can do for any girl group.

I personally see nothing wrong in Kpop diversifying its rosters a little bit, but perhaps its fans aren’t ready for a change in kpop when it’s appeal, is that it’s uniquely Korean. What do you think, is Chocolat a sign of things to come, or is this simply a marketing ploy, or is it something else?

TAGS: Chocolat

Kriscod

I guess I’m happy that they’re pushing the bi-racial thing. It’s better than hiding it, I suppose. I just really hope that the group is also talented. They’re teaser seems promising, and some of them are very pretty. I am a little sad, though, that some of them are so young. (Oh, and is it crazy that it’s ridiculously obvious to me who the bi-racial girls are?)

renee

OMG! Thank you someone finally said it. People are so worried about their ploy but seem to have failed to realize that about half the group was born in 1997. 1997! WTF is that! They are like 13-14. Soon idol groups will consist of toddlers. SMH

kc

this is sorta like the Piggy Dolls thing, they’re literally selling them as just “Bi-racial” girls when they should really be selling them as rookie Kpop idols.
someone uploaded a video of their self introductions and the Maknae, the one doing the introductions had them all speaking in english. A good deal of the comments on the video were things like “can’t they speak Korean” “why don’t they just debut in America” and things like that…
But IDK, I just hope they give us something great, something that’ll make us sit back and go “wow”… I have a feeling I’m not gonna get that, but it can’t hurt to hope^^
so yeah, even though it’s a bit gimmicky, I hope they become successful, we need more bi-racial artists in Korea.
Pingback: Korean Gender Reader « The Grand Narrative
KpopFlops

Sorry BUT… that “intro” video by the youngest was just showing how annoying their image will be. It seemed like the 3 “bi-racial” girls are not fluent in Korean. Of course, it’s just a marketing ploy.

>_

It seems like the 3 girls aren’t too fluent in korean, and the two really don’t know english. With this in mind, I think it will end up (or already has) splitting the girls which is a shame. IMO the success of a group depends a lot on the strength of the group as a whole. Good luck to them anyways.

jyyjc

No I don’t see this group as a sign of things to come.They’re forgettable just like most of the idol group debuts since 2010. Saw their mv teaser, just basic generic girl group stuff.
http://www.twitter.com/@tifftaeyeon Tiff Taeyeon

Just something on your comment “yet another girl group” with the emphasis on ‘another’.

Why is this so bad.

In America, which is over run 100% by solo artists, do you see people going “yet another solo pop singer is debuting”! No.

Different things work in different places. All pop is manufactured so it doesn’t matter if it is a solo artist or a group. It’s the same thing really. America went through their group phase in the late 90s. Now it’s Korea’s turn. I’m sick of people being negative about so many groups.
Felicia

I just watched the teaser it looks bad
eboy07

Lets see what they can deliver.
emma

the mixed ones don’t look that mixed. the Korean genes are too dominant.
benny

from my own knowledge and assumptions aren’t a huge chunk of Korean celebs biracial; i.e Korean and caucasian so this is no big deal. I would say that if they put a mixed black girl there that would be a big deal, but given Korean entertainments history of putting their foot in their mouth when it comes to non caucasians, lets leave it till after another ten years; yeah.
hyukki

If I am not mistaken, there were a few bi-racial kids in the idol groups in earl 2000. But I think it is more pronounced because of the popularity of Kpop.
Wish them luck and they need to desperately recruit black Koreans. Those kids are the ones who really need someone to look up to.
Pingback: Syndrome (신드롬) by ChoColat (쇼콜라): Lyrics, Translation, and Explanation / Reading The Lolita Effect in Korea, Part 5 « The Grand Narrative
Pingback: cool caravans
Pingback: best guest beds
http://twitter.com/AmandaFortner ☾ 아만다 ♥ AMANDA ♒

I love that they are biracial and I love that they are in Kpop…. But I was hoping that the biracial ones would look less Korean…. I know, that is CRAZY…. Because I think Koreans are usually so beautiful ^^ I love seeing Koreans. However, I was kind of excited and was hoping for some more inspiration… right now I have none, nobody wants to see me (a pale, light eyed, light colored hair Caucasian) perform Kpop songs. =/ Ahh… I’m not good anyway. ahaha. But neither was Heechul when he auditioned.
Pingback: Hanna
Pingback: clothing
Anonymous

It’s better to advertise that they are biracial than to be criticizing them for it. I don’t mind if they go touting around they are biracial. In fact, it may be good, raising people’s awareness of biracial children (biracial children have a long history of mistreatment in South Korea). However if they are rude, and they use the fact that they are biracial as an excuse, then there’s a problem.
Pingback: craftsman table saw parts list
Pingback: Scrapeboard