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K-pop: Programmed to Self-Destruct?

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Written by On December 5, 2011

The K-pop machine oftentimes reminds me of an old joke: you can have any ice-cream flavor you want, as long as it is vanilla. Let’s face it, folks: concept is everything in K-Pop. Love or curse Lee So-Man, but we are dealing with his multi-spawned brainchild: the boy/girl group creation is worked down to a fairly simple formula:

1) Create an easy-on-the-eye concept (or use catchphrases). Nothing is too ridiculous: D-cups, no-plastic-surgery, by-racial, rainbow colors.

2) Slap together a group from available trainees that prowl the dorms of a particular management company.

3) Mix a couple of members who can actually sing (optional), a couple who can dance (also optional), and throw in a few who are there as space-fillers. Are you fuming about my “optional” snipes?

Exhibit 1: Stellar
Exhibit 2: Chocolat
Exhibit 3: half of SNSD (I’m being generous here). Should we continue?

4) Debut the group on one of the music shows (Music Bank, Mutizen Inkigayo, Mnet – you make your pick). Put them through the grind of variety shows, book as many CF endorsements as possible, airlift them to Japan for additional promo activities – and you’ve almost made your initial investment back.

5) Exploit the aegyo and s-lines (for girl bands) – nevermind that ajushis will be drooling over barely legal children. Same goes for boy-bands – but in that case, have individual band members proliferate in 6-pack-baring concept shots, pick up a few acting gigs,- the more shower scenes for the ladies’ delight – the better.

6) Flood Twitter, Facebook and Cyworld with fugu-fish-like selcas (replete with requisite kittens, puppies, turtles and hamsters). Extra points if they can combine puff-face with 2 kittens, 3 puppies, 5 turtles in the same shot. Hamster optional.

Sounds familiar? That’s because this stew had been cooked oh-so-many times in K-Pop in the last decade. The audiences keep gobblin’ the bubble gum up, and the machine keeps churning armies of replaceable boy/girl wonders. However, is this a successful long-term entertainment formula, or is this a recipe for over-saturation?

Which of these creations are going to be here in, say 5-6 years? While the formula does wonders for management companies in terms of talent control, it seems that it is stifling the very thing entertainment industry is supposed to promote – creativity. It is not a secret that most of the songs are produced/composed/written by the management agencies’ resident writers/composers (or ghost-writers/composers, if a decision is made to have one of the group members claim authoring a song). How much creative control do the members have over their music? Somehow, I doubt that the Lee So-Man-esque system would nurture the likes of Gary and Gil from Leessang, Tiger JK, Chang Ki-Ha or Yoon Do-Hyun.

So, what do you think, readers? Is the trainee system condemning its offspring to bubble-pop exhaustion, or is there a chance for it to produce more diverse artists with a unique viewpoint?

(Twitter, MTV Korea)

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  • Igbygrl

    I think the training system does more harm than good creative wise. You would think these companies will pick already cultivated talented people but that is just not the case. They could save so much more money and years of wasted training on someone who already has the raw talent, but just needs some tweaks here and their to polish out their true talent. I believe by suppressing talent they are also suppressing creativity. Instead of training a kid for 6+ years only to find out that they can’t sing nor dance and has the charisma of a wet blanket, why don’t they pick actual people who already has the IT Factor? Training someone to have IT is just not going to work out. Half the idols in Kpop their stage presence is lacking the oomph factor that I see in alot of American heck even Japanese performers. 

    What I have noticed in Kpop is that when it comes to music, when it becomes too much of a science and formula the creativity and talent beomes nothing more than a backburner to the industry. It becomes nothing more than a churning cog of media persona and disposable noise. It’s no longer creative and soon becomes nothing but junk that feeds to the mass public.    

    • teresa

      Seriously, I always wonder why entertainment companies spend millions of dollars to train someone who clearly does not have the talent for singing and dancing when there are SO many talented people who only need a little bit of training to sharpen their skills. Why spend the unnecessary money? There are just so many idols in k-pop that make me confused as to WHY they were chosen over other people

      • Gazza

        I remember seeing this very point being discussed somewhere… there, it was said that the extensive training regimen wasn’t so much about developing talents as it was about engendering absolute obedience in the trainees, so that management had better control over them and could avoid conflicts of interest…

        • Igbygrl

          Absolutes obedience? Man that sounds really scary in my ears when I read it out loud. Do you know where you read that? I’m just curious cuz the article sounds really interesting.

  • Anonymous

    i think we just need a new kpop group that will revolutionize the industry. seriously. i’m thinking something along the lines of 2pm when they debuted – but more exaggerated and grandiose. lmao. idek what i’m saying.

    all i know is that when 2pm came out, they were the first boy group who caught my attention by showing something different. they dared to be playful and funny. to me, they were the first troll-dols. besides the awesome and fresh personality of the group, they were also in your face HOT. they were not pretty boys – only khun was. they were manly hot boys. they threw those hot, smoldering, angsty stares with off the charts confidence like there was no tomorrow! 

    the point is, groups have been debuting left and right and it all seems like we’ve seen them before. we need something new, fresh and a group that dares to be different. they gotta have the personalities to pull it off too! enough of these idols manufactured to perfection to the standards of korean society. ugh.  

    • Anonymous

      Actually shinhwa was the first troll-dols if you watch their early career interviews and variety show appearances. In fact 2pm reminded me a lot of shinhwa except shinhwa is about 100x more talented

      • Anonymous

        yup. add in also the fact that shinhwa probably is the original k-pop “beast”-dol. :)

  • Boo

    And because of this, I haven’t been into any new group since 2009.

    All these new groups debuting left and right are exhausting. It’s the same old formula and it’s becoming glaringly obvious that these companies are only in it for our wallets. Which is a shame because I’m pretty sure there are several talented kids in these groups but they aren’t groomed for longevity in the business. Personally, I don’t think these companies debuting these new wave of idols are even thinking of the long term. They just want in on the popularity of kpop right now. Hence the exodus to Japan of these idols.

    LSM’s system make idols out to be this product that is perfected to succeed. And it works for him because he’s earning trillions. His only problem is that he forgets that these idols aren’t just products. They’re human too and they need growth. Musical growth. Someday his idols and their fans are gonna want more and his system will cave in on him.

    It’s not all bad tho. Among the gimmicky new brood of idols, I see Infinite or The Boss and I have hope.

  • Fresh Lemons

    I don’t see the need to complain about how the system is. I understand how the writer breaks down the reasons behind the formula but I think everyone has to remember one thing, its pop music. No matter what happens, there will always be clones and half baked talent that will be popular. Even if there is a group to break this mold, how long until the industry just copies them and then produces more of them?  With dealing with pop music, this will always happen no matter what. What ever is popular at the moment will be taken by others, throw some type of spin on the original product and then showcase it to the world. This formula currently will probably last for while still since the Korean wave is still growing at a immense rate but whatever comes in the next generation, the same complaints will just appear yet again because we will be flooded by the next gen carbon copies

  • Michael Park

    Something you have not mentioned is that SM (and some other companies who are catching on) has also paved a way for longer investment in their groups. As one of the ‘grandfathers’ of idol biz, they probably realize the shortness of idol group life (H.O.T., Shinhwa, S.E.S. as examples) and are starting to send their more talented idols with prospective post-idol careers in other areas. Many SM artists are joining the broadway scene, and though their talent is debatable, it is nonetheless a start to a possible career in that direction. And there’s no denying that the bountiful variety show training they give their artists are starting to pay off. Look at all the ex H.O.T. members, Shinhwa members etc who are still in the variety show biz. 

    Granted, it’s not a necessary guarantee for a better future for their idols. But by exposing them this way, their idols are guaranteed more experience and training for future entertainment careers as MCs, TV show hosts, radio show hosts, broadway singers, QUALITY variety show stars… 

    I do think that other bigger companies are catching on. I’m a little doubtful with JYP’s approach because albeit some particular cases like JOKWON (who i seriously think is just naturally gifted in entertainment), JYP idols are in general less adaptable to variety show settings and have not yet ventured as much in other areas. YG… they’ve got their own style with the whole recording thing and it seems to be working well for them. CUBE is definitely banking on what SM has done by sending out BEAST, but that too seems like a one off case. 4Minute are certainly not ‘entertainment-ready’, and neither are A Pink. 

    • Ally

      Actually, out of the big 3 JYP has the most acts who are still really successful with the korean public after leaving the company… I may not like JYP’s upscale tax evasion (or subsidiaries as he calls them… AQ, big hit to lower the main JYP’s tax revenue) but his artists tend to be more popular among the public than with fanbases (with the notable exception of 2pm). YG also has/had Wheesung, Psy and the like who are very well received in Korea. It’s actually SM whose groups have the shortest shelf life simply because of how they are exposed and exploited and how they are known for being part of a trendy group… but when that fades people stop caring about them, I hope this changes one day tbh. Many former artists with SM have careers and do variety but few of them are actually successful at it and sell well. They rely too much on fan support and not enough on public recognition (which for the most part is pretty indifferent/ doesn’t take well to idols anyways) which is exactly WHY this company is the most successful and yet also problematic imo.

      This whole korean machine needs oiling imo, but SM is the one that I hope more than anything gets caught in the act of something so that it has to reform to the point that their artist are also considered as people and not profit that is easily disposed and left to fend for themselves when the expiration date passes.

      • Ally

        Btw, I understand where you’re coming from and I do like your comment; I hope my reply didn’t come across with ill-intention because it’s nothing of the sort. After rereading my post, it can be interpreted a bit rude and biased against SM, so I’m sorry for that.

  • Mq

    6) Flood Twitter, Facebook and Cyworld with fugu-fish-like selcas (replete with requisite kittens, puppies, turtles and hamsters). Extra points if they can combine puff-face with 2 kittens, 3 puppies, 5 turtles in the same shot. Hamster optional. 

    Word!!! 
    I used to adore Kahi but her recent swarm of selcas is nauseatingly off putting. The woman is in her 30s, and she’s still doing puff face!!! 

    Since I’m also ranting, I might as well add a few on…. 
    I absolutely despise how some idols take on a particular act because they got some attention at first and then proceed beat it to death. Case in point: 

    - Secret: Sunhwa’s blank brain, idiot shenanigans. It’s not cute. 

    - T-ara: Hyomin’s folding screen variety crap. I understand the desperation to be noticed, but a lot of her actions on IY was annoying. I wished she’d pushed for the fashionista label because I love her personal style. 

    - Girl’s Day: Minah — need I say more about the forced cute act? She has such an amazing voice, she just needs to let it speaks for itself. 

    - 2ne1: Dara’s supposedly cute personality or whatever she wants it to be called. It’s not even remotely attractive. It’s actually creepy to see a full grown adult who’s edging towards 30 to be acting as if she’s still 12. She was most attractive when she’s dressed her age, and acted her age. Time to let Minzy embody the maknae status. 

    I’m sure I can go on, but these are the few new girl groups that I like but have been detracted because I can’t stand some of the members.

     I guess what I really want from Kpop is some form of a mature woman. Maybe I am getting too old for kpop. 

    • Anonymous

      Though I’m annoyed, I’m amazed by Hyomin’s ability to turn her “folding screen” as a character. You can kept quite like most of those folding screens, or gave up varieties, but she’s not. She’s quite amazing in my opinion.

    • Anonymous

      I second this. 

      I am getting sick of selca news. Yeah, we get it that idols are pretty, gorgeous, etc etc. But must they keep showing that pout/no make-up/puff face act all the time? And I am amazed that those kind of pics always manage to be a headline. 

    • mija

      I fully agree about Dara. When I saw her in the video for Lonely I was like omg she looks mature and maybe now I can actually like her. Then she when right back to that cutesy bullshit and put me off again

    • Ann

      dara drives me nuts. she tries so hard and fails so much. maybe because i’m not korean, but i cringe at her cutesy, silly antics. and you know it’s an act. dara is awkward and shy and would much rather fade into the wallpaper but she needs to justify her idol career and apparently, everyone else loves her crazy ways. 

      and then we have bom, who is so charming without even trying. give me her alien ways over dara’s nonsense any day.

  • Anonymous

    I love your thoughts on this. I do think the artificiality and manufactured talent of kpop is the biggest threat to any lingering creativity in the industry. Like someone said below, cute selcas, and crafted images will only go so far, particularly when there are hundreds others being molded to take your place. People get older, and all that will keep them on top is talent. Idols who genuinely have the passion and talent might just want to “make it” no matter what but once they get there, will they still have their old skills? I wonder if they won’t lose themselves in the name of making it big.
     
    Besides I feel like artists don’t really possess the power to bring about a change. Question is how much do these companies really care about professional satisfaction or quality? LSM, most obviously is in for a quick buck, so they will exploit the system as long as it works, or as long as there are impressionable fans buying into the image.

  • Anonymous

    I think the training system in some companies just beats the creativity and individuality out of some of these artists. Let’s face it, groups like SNSD, Super Junior, KARA, and SS501 are popular because of the way they look. It has nothing to do with their musical abilities. If SM really focused and nurtured the talent of all their trainees, they wouldn’t put 13 boys in the same group or nine girls in another. Half of the group members are expendable and the other half have subpar vocals at best. But they always have those one or two undeniably talented ones to fight off the critics and to try to convince everyone that the group IS talented.

    With JYP, some are very very talented vocalists and some are really really talented dancers, but they all lack individuality. When 2PM performs, not one of them has stage presence or natural charisma. When Miss A performs, they look incredible and they are always on point vocally and with the choreography, but there’s nothing that pulls you into the performance and makes you want to watch them. I feel like he has so much talent in his hands, but he trains them to be so disciplined and choreographed when they perform that he just trains the charisma out of them. I mean, we all saw what 2PM looked like with the sunglasses and the flags during one of last year’s Gayos. It was cringe-worthy. Oh so cringe worthy.

    I think the problem with most companies is that they’re just looking to make a quick buck. I mean, really? A girl group full of models? Or a group with girls endowed with double Ds? How far from the point can these entertainment companies get?

    And it also has to do with the target audience for these groups. Entertainment companies make these groups so middle and high school students will buy hoards of their albums, buy tickets to their concerts, and stalk them outside of their apartments. The musical taste of fourteen year old girls and boys make not go beyond liking a group because they have nice abs or big boobs. You give these kids something nice to look at and something relatively catchy to listen to, and they’ll be eating out of your hands.

    We sometimes overestimate just how relevent these kpop idols are in Korea. I sometimes think of them as akin to Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, etc. And not like Madonna, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, etc (like some kpop fans do). They are the idols that little teens are in love with. The general public acknowledges that they are there and they are popular, but there isn’t much respect for the music they create. I mean, everyone knows how similar Bielebers are with almost all kpop fandoms.

    The idol groups that can appeal to larger audiences than the teeny bopper crowd are the ones that really do well digitally and gain public affection. And I think these groups are the ones that actually know how to stand on a stage and give a crowd a good performance. These groups are the ones that were trained not to be at the same level as everyone else in the group, but to bring a different flavor, different feel, different charisma and unique element to the group. I’d say the only idol groups that actually do that are DBSK, Big Bang, 2NE1, and BEAST (but they aren’t entirely there yet).

    In YG, it’s probably the way he trained them. I think he fosters the individiual abilities of each trainee and lets them be unique and encourages that on stage. I remember watching 2NE1tv once and he was watching them rehearse for a performance. He said something along the lines of, “Don’t be so worried about being synchronized. When you go up on stage and you look like you’re thinking so hard about being in sync with eachother, is that fun? No. Just do your own thing and have fun.” It was an off-handed comment but one that really struck me. He doesn’t train these kids to go up on stage and perform super synchronized performances with MR backtracks that are far too loud. He doesn’t rely on variety shows to get the public to like his artists. He nurtures their individual abilities and makes it so they know how to work a stage. He makes sure that they are able to get public affection through their performances and through their music. And at the end of the day, that’s what it’s really suppose to be about, right? If you are a PERFORMER, you should be able to perform.

    • hazymemories

      YG is my favorite entertainment company, hands down. I totally agree with what you said about their artists– they seem to have that charisma that so many other groups lack. SNSD is amusing to watch and sure, some of them can really sing, but I remember my initial reaction of them being “why do they all look the same?” Big Bang and 2NE1 can give a crowd-pleasing performance and make it look like it wasn’t crafted completely by choreographers by throwing in their own little trademarks. That may also have to do with the fact that they are a smaller group too– DBSK, 2EN1, and Big Bang have/had (in DBSK’s case) less than 5 members, which makes it easier for fans to learn the uniqueness of each member separately, whereas in Super Junior’s case, there are 13 members. Well, now 10. But still, some of the members like Leeteuk are everywhere while others are barely seen. Certain members getting attention over others can also impede their success, in my opinion. 

      One thing not mentioned in the article– what about idol groups who play their own instruments? I absolutely love FT Island, CNBlue, and TRAX. What do you guys think about instrumental groups? 

      • http://twitter.com/AuNaturale_Yau MzChungai

        I love TRAX…they are amazing. I really hope sme would start paying more attention to them (CSJH too) and give them better promotions. I wish both groups were in some other company like LOEN or FT Island’s company.

      • usagi_chan1516

        i think groups that play that play their own instruments like CNBLUE, FTI and Trax are the ones that are gonna last…they all have their own identity and uniqueness…i don’t think SNSD and other idol groups are gonna last as much as the idol bands. U.U

    • Guest

      pre-debut bigbang did one performance where they were completely in sync and were very proud of themselves (can you imagine top’s utter disbelief and glee!). when they got off stage, yg yelled at them for looking like robots. that’s why yg is my fave company. they all have personalities and they’re not afraid to show it on stage. give me an imperfect bb performance with choomtop and random adlibs over a perfect kpop-style perf any day. half the yg artists wouldn’t even have debuted under another company, let alone be on a stage. they’re some of the worst “idols” ever and i love it.

      and though their “ugliness” has also become a gimmick, at least i can still tell yg idols apart. i still have trouble with snsd.

      • cutiepie88

         
        LOL “they’re some of the worst “idols” ever and i love it” RIGHT ON!!!  You know this reminded me of a post I saw by a commenter on some blog and he was making a comparison of SM, YG, JYP artists in a school-setting version.  SM artists would be the jocks, cheerleaders (popular crowd) JYP artist I think he said something about them being creative/geek type (yearbook/dance committees) but mention he YG artists are the trouble makers are the ones who would have detention and still won’t show up XD  

    • saylor

      What’s so sad about snsd is that the little throw ins the little gestures etc that they throw into their dances and performances aren’t even their own. I read some article that said those gestures are actualy choreographed by rino. That is so freaking sad. Like rhino choreographed a bunch of gestures that fit each member in the group so that they can “choose.” WTH? Those lame horrible gestures they do aren’t even their own. Everyone’s talking about seohyun doing this hand twirl grab thing lol it’s not hers. Jessica doing this hip walk thing…um not hers either. It’s so bizarre that evn those things are choreographed.

      And I kind of get annoyed when they deviate from the choreography cause their deviations are really cringeworthy. Like Sooyoung snaps her fingers at girls generation we don’t stop. I didn’t think of anything before but it just go so annoying and doesn’t fit at all with that section of the song. Like she doesnt get what the finger snap means…its sassyI feel bad for snsd. All they really are is dolls…mannequins. Manufactured to the core. Choreographed to death. And when their every move isn’t choreographed and practiced like crazy…they fall apart and show how incapable they are of holding the stage…ie what happened at the mamas.

      I wish they got a break. A chance to be normal go to school learn to be artists whatever. Sooyoung actually expresses this desire of wanting to be known for more than being a pretty idol.

      • saylor

        you guys need to read this interview there is some truly lol worthy stuff in here. After this interview I began to like Taeyeon more.  Tiffany, Sooyoung, and Seohyun less so. 

        Complex: Girls’ Generation’s debut was a turning point, which somewhat sparked the recent influx of young trainees spurring up across Asia. Any advice you guys want to give to those up-and-coming talents?

        Jessica: I hope they’re not dedicating their time and effort just to become famous celebrities. I hope what they’re doing is something they truly enjoy. That’s the only way to prevent regrets from happening.

        Seohyun: There has to be a set goal. Don’t just vaguely chase after something that’s glowing. You need to know what you like, what you want to achieve, and what makes you happy. That’s the only way to keep yourself focused from diverting off to other paths.Complex: Finally, what’s the next step for the Girls’ Generation?Tiffany: World domination.Yoona: More so, world tour. We’re currently doing the Asian tour. And once that’s over, if possible, I’d like to see us go on a world tour.Taeyeon: Expanding our legacy to outer space!

        • saylor

          Oh that’s my favorite question from the interviewer.  I loved what jessica says. I think she regrets becoming a performer in many ways. 

          • seoulsx

            I really doubt she regrets becoming a performer. after all, her sister joined SMEto end up a member of Fx.

        • Pg13247

          I love reading hard-hitting interviews with SNSD. I feel like they have so much more to tell than their regular PR-happy replies, but the management always steps in before things get really good.

        • Anonymous

          “World domination”… Wow.

          • saylor

            I know.  You’re comment was spot on, especially with the indication of how different yg is from other kpop companies in terms of perfection and synchronization.  I really like that about YG, he says don’t stress about that.  That’s the main concern for SM they want synchronization and perfection.  

            The comments on this interview were like wow snsd is so amazing and so talented.  heaven has bestowed 9 angels who are honest and blah blah blah omg.  it’s like they missed the point of the interview and couldn’t see how these girls are super controlled and what bs their answers were.   Their like politicians trying not to sound like total assholes, but still trying to claim they were amazing artists. 

      • Anonymous

        I am neither a SONE nor an anti, but I do feel bad for SNSD as well. They feel so overmanufactured, so overproduced, so overworked that I feel like they will crash and burn some time in the future.

        And going on your comment on them being dolls made me think: Idol or I, Doll?

        • saylor

          oooooo nice! idol or i,doll lol love that. 

    • Anonymous

      A+ comment.

      the whole reason i never really gotten into groups like snsd is cause they look alike. I have to focus to tell them apart when they are on stage. They lack individuality on stage. One of the reasons why i do not think they will ever make here in the us. We like artists who have individuality. Just cause u are in a group, doesn’t mean that u can’t have ur own unique style. It can be done look at spice girls for example. 

      I think that was one of the reason I got interested in 2NE1 cause they show me girl power and their own individuality like my favorite girl group of all time, Spice Girls. Even though Spice Girls and 2NE1 do not have the same type music. kekekekeke

    • Anonymous

      *slow clap*

      I agree 100% with this flawless comment.

    • Angel_in87

       like ur comment

    • http://twitter.com/denzelwynter アシュリ (Ashley)

      Fair point….. but Dara and Seungri have subparr vocals, so yeh

      • http://twitter.com/AuNaturale_Yau MzChungai

        I agree with you on Dara and “old” Seungri; from recent performances  I feel like Seungri’s vocals have greatly improved. But then again both of them still have the ability to engage the crowd when they perform.

        • Anonymous

          Yes, exactly what I was going to say. :)

  • Bervalvic

    Good lord just stop bring so many darn girl groups out then everything wouldnt be so darn redundant

  • mija

    “6) Flood Twitter, Facebook and Cyworld with fugu-fish-like selcas (replete with requisite kittens, puppies, turtles and hamsters). Extra points if they can combine puff-face with 2 kittens, 3 puppies, 5 turtles in the same shot. Hamster optional.”

    I LMAOed at this!

  • Music=Love

    I totally get what you’re saying, but I have one problem,”Nothing is too ridiculous: D-cups, no-plastic-surgery, by-racial…” since when did those things become ridiculous?

    • whatthefrell

      LOL!!!

    • agedvanilla

      she meant as the “theme” or “concept” of a group.  Like the marketing factor… that is ridiculous.  to market something like that. 

      • Music=Love

        Oh, am I the only one thinks it’s sad that no plastic surgery is considered a gimmick?

        • agedvanilla

          nope

  • Anonymous

    I enjoy this thread and the discussion here.

    One thing is still questionable for me: why did you (Madina) put this under “Humor” category? :p

  • Anonymous

    though Chocolat is talented…. did u check out their new comeback song or the interview when they sang without background music. they may not be the best singers of all time but they do have talent esp Melanie.

    • http://twitter.com/ovenfreshhhhh ovenfreshhhhh ☆

      What’s the point in paying attention to a mediocre-at-best idol group when there are better rookie groups out there? That’s the problem with a lot of debuting idol groups these days. They either lack proper training, a good debut song, or both.

      • Anonymous

        but they are not mediocre, they actually have talent. u probably judging them on a bad song debut and their company marketing technique. i was like u thinking they got nothing special but then i saw an interview, and i was impress with them. I was impress again when I saw their new song. i realize they can sing better than some of the idols in the rookie groups and top groups out right now.

        how many times i have seen a bad debut song but then group turns it around and showcase their talent. too many times. 

        • http://twitter.com/ovenfreshhhhh ovenfreshhhhh ☆

          No, I’m judging them according to their debut song, their live performances, their MV, and their follow-up song. And frankly, I’m not impressed. After seeing groups like miss A and 2NE1 rock the shit out of Korea the year they debuted, Chocolat is going to have to do better than average to get any real attention.

          Oh yeah, and their interview on Arirang was positively painful to watch. They’re simply not ready to be idols.

          • Anonymous

            2NE1 and Miss A are super rookies. Not everyone is going to be that osm at the get go. Ex.Beast/B2ST, when they debut I didn’t think too much of them. They seem average but look at them now. They have improve so much since their debut. I think Chocolat can become a great group. I guess we have to agree to disagree.

        • http://twitter.com/ovenfreshhhhh ovenfreshhhhh ☆

          No, I’m judging them according to their debut song, their live performances, their MV, and their follow-up song. And frankly, I’m not impressed. After seeing groups like miss A and 2NE1 rock the shit out of Korea the year they debuted, Chocolat is going to have to do better than average to get any real attention.

          Oh yeah, and their interview on Arirang was positively painful to watch. They’re simply not ready to be idols.

  • http://profiles.google.com/jcho49 J Cho

    It is kinda annoying the most of the writers here are very cynical about everything kpop, which gets annoying after awhile. If you guys are looking for writers let me know.

    • Kobe

      I agree.  Every 2nd post seems to be a kpop doomsday prophecy it’s starting to get rather tedious.

      • Lilkiki3413

        I mostly think SB post these articles just for fans to open there eyes and understand that the way they carry on about how great Kpop is isn’t going to work well especally in America. Yeah, I live Kpop too and sometime they could be harsh but I love that there real about it all. Someone has to do it and I thank SB for that.

    • happyslip

      I kind of agree.

      I get that Kpop can be tiring/redundant/predictable as fuck to some, but it seems like a lot of people here over thinks/over analyzes what the industry is as a whole sometimes. I wish some people would take it easy and enjoy Kpop as it is. 

      Okay, I’m not stopping you guys from being critical lol. I mean don’t you think we can take a break from this kind of discussion once in a while?

    • Kpopboi

      lol I can understand your point of view…
      perhaps there’s a right medium. As I see it, its good to promote Kpop in a level-headed approach. Which Seoulbeats can do well – I especially like commenting on the socio-cultural implications of pop.
      But here’s how I see it. SB isn’t perfect. But neither is AKP – that other really popular website. On one hand, you can argue that SB is cynical, but then you can just as easily argue that AKP is an establishment for fantard-ism and hyperbole, and does not promote any proper discussion. Sure its a ‘news’ site… but it’s just a mouthpiece for the korean companies… this is especially evident with the sheer amount of advertising it does for the big three during promotion cycles.

      It’s all about a check and balance system. 

      It’s really your choice to tune in or out.

      just sayin’ 
      ^___~

      • http://profiles.google.com/jcho49 J Cho

        I agree that it is our choice to tune in and tune out; I just think that SB is shifting toward the wrong direction you know? :/

        • ME

          to J Cho, sometimes I wonder that too….
          The first time I browsed SB, I was glad I found something different than more and more selcas or stupid fan wars. 
          Suddenly, fashion, barbie-syndrome, too much ‘attack’ on specific group/idol/person, become too much. 
          Well, like Kpopboi noted I have the choice to tune in or out, so glad I have one… so sad not to have the same excitement all over again… 

    • Anonymous

      They are indeed looking for writers. Here: http://seoulbeats.com/careers/

      Looking forward to your articles later!

      • http://profiles.google.com/jcho49 J Cho

        Thanks I’ll definitely look into that next Saturday :/ Finals suck

  • Anonymous

    What you have described is how capitalism works. When something becomes popular, more similar products flood the market and increase competition. The market eventually becomes saturated and people lose interest. In economy, it’s called diminishing marginal returns. Then something else will come along and become popular and the cycle starts again.

    I do notice this difference between American and Asian markets: In Asia, formulaic repetitions seem to be tolerated a lot better than in America. Normally, things have to wait at least a decade to become popular again in the U.S. while people in Asia are a lot more sentimental. Let’s see if we still care in five years.

  • http://twitter.com/ovenfreshhhhh ovenfreshhhhh ☆

    Relying on a gimmick like being bi-racial, the “boy next door”, or having big boobs can only get you so far. I don’t think companies are taking their trainees very seriously until the time comes for them to debut a new group. It’s like an algebra student who only tries hard at the very end of the year to get a passing grade but is doomed to fail trigonometry/algebra ii the following year. And what do k-pop fans get? A load of horse turd in the form of groups like Stellar, Chocolat, and New.F.O., who all have craptastic interchangeable debut songs.

    I don’t know which groups are going to stick around for another 5+ years, but I’m hoping that one of them will be Big Bang.

    • Guest

      of all the current groups, i think bigbang has the best chance i.e. if they’re not called up for military duty before their 5-year contract ends. the beauty of bb is that yes, they have an enormous fanbase and they will always have that fanbase but they sell a shit load of songs to non-fans. i was just looking at melon’s list of top producers for 2011 (calculated by looking at melon’s top 50 for each month from jan-nov. and yg is no. 1 with 21 songs and bigbang has 13 of those 21 songs. even if you take out their solo efforts (which account for half of those 13 songs), they still sold every single track on their mini and repack. that’s incredible. even their intro was no. 75 in march. who sells an intro track? only bb. and they’re proven commodities solo and in non-music activities. and the fact that they’re still together after their awful year makes me extremely optimistic for the next 4-5 years. they make money as a group, they make money solo, they make billions in ad revenue, they make money selling overpriced ”fashionable” jackets, essentially everything they touch turns to gold. and this in their fifth year when most groups are disbanding or slowing down or relying only on their fanbase for sales. and they’re a male group who generally have very little popularity outside of their fanbase.

      yg will do everything to keep them together because they simply make too much money and it seems like they definitely want to be together because they’re all much happier in a group than solo.

  • DeNote

    K-pop is managed for massive short term gains rather than longevity. They concentrate on what is hot and current to make the most money without expending too much resources. This is understandable since the entertainment companies themselves are relatively new, with former managers of companies incorporating their own entertainment companies. The companies are focusing on cash inflow and growth.

    Not only that, but these idols are recruited when they are very young. They get no input; they sing bad songs, wear bad clothes, and do whatever management tells them. They just want to make some money, get some attention, and move on. Being an idol is a hobby or extracurricular activity, not a career. It may seem wonderful in your teens but when you hit mid-20s, priorities change. Also, these idols don’t seem to be “true” singers. There are some idols like Hyorin from Sistar and GD from Big Bang who love to sing and live to perform, but there are many others who jump ship when something better comes along.

    So no, I don’t see K-pop really changing as nobody stays long enough to evolve. It will churn out the same formula until people grow sick of it and find interest in something else, like Turkish salsa music. Then the companies will quickly play catch up and start debuting K-salsa idol bands with optional singers, dancers, space fillers.

  • http://www.facebook.com/roan.deguzman3 Ro-an de Guzman

    I am not surprised with this topic. Besides, I have encountered a comment from someone in PEP.ph regarding Kpop as something as “all hype with no lasting impression”. Well, that happens on almost all artists; however, in the case of Kpop, artists (or shall I say con-artists?) are just trained to be cogs of Kpop factory machine, not as someone BETTER.

    Guys, when we say BETTER, it means it’s not just developing a skill, but knowing TO THINK AND LIVE FOR OURSELVES. It’s like GROWING UP. Unfortunately, in Kpop, it’s just stagnancy, not GROWING UP. If you are going to check the artists, only few of them would dare to innovate and make a difference.

  • LA

    Its all about the money, its all about the dum dum duh dee dum dum. I think LSM is every CEO’s role model and LSM = Mr. Krabs, wikipedia says Mr. Krabs is a wealthy, crimson crab, but is an extreme tightwad (he still keeps the first dollar he ever earned) and very greedy, I see no difference between both Lee Soo Man and Mr. Krabs.

  • Lady Caca

    As someone rightly put, it’s all economics. In economics, there’s a boom & bust cycle – a time that a bust can happen is when supply is greater than the demand. With more than 30+ boy/girl groups debuting in a year, that’s a recipe for disaster – specially if they are so interchangeable. I won’t be surprised if in the next 2 years or so, KPop will implode, leaving many an idol group member left in a trash bin of discarded cogs of the music industry. 

    TBQH, even in the US experience, boy/girl groups don’t really last long, as their initial novelty fades and the music they do is overshadowed by other music types. So for all the stans who say their boy & girl group is the best ever – wait till 10 years to see if they’re still there, that’s when we talk. 

    There is hope though, those solo members that genuinely have talent will find a way to reinvent themselves, and be bigger stars. Unfortunately, based on the current crop, it seems that’s like 20% only, leaving us with 80% mortality rate. 

    As a fan of KPop, I do hope the industry can re-invent itself, and focus more on a combination of talent & style, not just style over talent.

  • seri-park

    I think you have it right on for describing SM Entertainment, but there is some variation among sub-genres and entertainment companies.  For example, the artists at YG are a bit less focused on standard concepts of beauty and the artists have more artistic control. 

    If you examine K-pop from the 1930s onward, there have been drastic changes each decade.  At a given instance in time it seems like things don’t change.  But, even comparing the 80s, 90s, 00s, and this decade, there have been pretty large changes over time.  So, I think the trend of girl and boy bands will transform into something else in the near-future.

  • Anonymousse

    Low standards are probably the main cause of the influx in debuts over the past couple years. Many new groups gain fans and are received well, leading the companies with the impression that we’ll love everything. Of course there will always be those who do, but as this article suggests the idol formula is weakening. In 5 years many of the groups popular at present will have disbanded, (hopefully) leaving the more talented ones standing. 

    That’s not to say that at the moment this formula can’t work- there are groups who are great (IMO) not because of talented members but because of the efforts of the producers, choreographers, stylists etc. supporting the idols. 

    Also, I think it’s about time we stopped regarding LSM as the “Kim Jong Il of K-pop.” Other companies manufacture their idols just as much- even YG. The difference is that SM’s formula is beginning to fail. 

        

  • Renie

    That Shidong selca is honestly one of the scariest I’ve seen in a while. He looks like the scream painting.

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  • Krazee4kpop

    The article has made a necessary point about the manufacture of Kpop idol groups by entertainment companies – and the comments made to this article have certainly been educational in balancing out the issues. Definitely a good read.

    I take an optimistic standpoint, on the current situation of churning out Kpop acts – that when things get really bad, it can only get better.

    I do believe that there are groups that will stand the test of time – in spite of being “manufactured”. However, anything good comes to an end – it is a natural, it is growth, it is evolution. And I’m hoping those guys go on to do bigger and better things in their careers.

    There is also an entire arena of groups and bands that is [maybe because they are not backed up by big entertainment companies] sadly not represented in the Kpop “world” [popular music and variety shows] – which, thank God – help keeps the South Korean music scene healthy, and on an even keel.

    Kpop self destruct? – hopefully not.

  • http://twitter.com/00erica00 Erica Chan

    I find it ironic how foreigners feel compelled to criticize kpop when they think it is boring and too cutesy and all those crap. It is tailored towards the Asian market, more specifically the Koreans. It obvious that Asians have different tastes compared to westerners. Idols have always been popular in Asia, be it Japanese, Korean or Taiwanese. If you guys think it is so annoying and disgusting when idols (regardless of age) try to show aegyo and things like that, then gtfo and enjoy the music from your own country tailored to your taste. Understand the culture of other countries before you judge them as an outsider.

    • http://twitter.com/#!/perfumeah perfumeah

      I don’t see what is so “ironic” or wrong about westerners disliking aegyo. Understanding the cultural context is important but whether the media in queston is foreign or local, as fans/consumers we should be able to have our own opinions and standards. It’s usually more a problem with the cutesy actions themselves than who and where they’re from.

  • Moua23

    Alot of ppls narrowed it. Kpop Idols lack so much, that their success in America is sooo slim, and everlasting slim too. also, I never really knew that SNSD was so manufactured to where their gestures were choreographed too. Omg! But out of all idol groups surviving for awhile I see BIGBANG, the rest are slowly dying out, geez even SNSD, DBSK is losing it. But SM is crazy rich, but not for so long, he’s thinking short term success not long term, whereas I can see JYP or YG leading and staying there. But the wave is already slowing down, shoot this is my 2nd year into KPop, I LOVE BIGBANG, but i’m losing touch with KPop as a whole, its so exxagerrated and stuff and repettive, with groups like BAP, hopefully they can revive this dying trend of bubble gum pop, which annoys the shit out of me that’s why I have BB, 2NE1, 2PM, and WG to listen too. I can’t stand alot of KPop songs, they’re annoying and soooo pointless and yet delusional Kpop fans call American music trash, but we’ll see in 2 years. But pop is pop but consistency would help. P.S the only SM act to catch my attention was SHINee, never a fan of DBSK, SNSD, SuJu, f(x), BoA, and now not even EXO! Dude they have like 30 teasers and they started in December and they’re not even done yet! They sounded promising but now its BAP!

    *PPS I love Dara and Seungri they make 2NE1 and BB who they are, they’re adorable! Its like they complete the puzzle. And they also work very hard to be part of the groups too.

  • http://twitter.com/eluvly24 HuongO

    the east is late on music genre while further ahead in fashion…so I would give about another 5 years before they’re sick of group trend…aka group trend in the u.s in the 90s…but this is not just music group trend in general, it’s any trend eventually it will die out. so sad.