Music / Idols
20111127_seoulbeats_mblaq

Losing the Star Effect

91
Written by On January 10, 2012

Recently, fellow writer Amy introduced me to MBLAQ’s “Sesame Player.” For those of you familiar with the show, you’ll understand when I say: Where has this show been all my life? Even if you aren’t too familiar with the show or the group, MBLAQ is known throughout Korean entertainment for their presence on variety shows. These five dudes are so amazingly and impossibly funny. And if you want to see them at their best, Sesame Player is definitely the time and the place. It’s an old show that has already run its course but the basic premise is this: MBLAQ sits in their dorm room and plays games. It may sound simple and mundane but trust me, it’s not.

While we see the men of MBLAQ playing a variety of games, we get to know MBLAQ and its individual members pretty well. Seungho is definitely a good hyung to his dongsaengs, taking care of each member and always being a good and fair sport with all their games. G.O. is hard as nails and relishes his victories and drowns in failures. Joon is a drama llama like no other, turning every game into a mini K-drama. Thunder is the eternal maknae of the group, always at the mercy of his hyungs. Mir is rarely there but when he is, he’s full of laughs and energy.

To augment this experience and connection, where fans feel like they’re getting to know these boys, they play another game. It works a little something like this: One member sits in the living room with a microphone and a monitor as the other members enter the dorm bathroom where they are ambushed into an interview. The interviewing member asks several questions on a variety of topics and depending on their reply, they are either free of fart bombs or at their mercy. Long story short: you get to know them pretty well.

I’ve gotten through multiple episodes and at this point and time, I’m pretty done with the show which is excellent timing because they just recently comeback with “It’s War.” “It’s War” is definitely a departure from their goofy, funny image on Sesame Player; they’ve thrown on the black outfits, the eyeliner, and the angry-but-sad scowls. It’s a good song, with a good MV, and a good concept.

But I cannot take it seriously. And it’s not because the comeback itself cannot be taken seriously. Oh no. I bought it with “Y,” I bought it with “Cry,” and even with “Mona Lisa.” But after having seen them play with fart bombs, pretend to be cows, and cower in fear of the ddakbams, I just cannot take any bit of the masculine angst seriously.

The point of idols on variety shows in the first place is to give their audience a closer, more intimate look into actual lives and personalities. The audience gets to know the idol better and thus feels closer to them and in a relationship between a star and a fan that thrives on a constructed sense of intimacy, this is important. So after watching a show, especially one like “Sesame Player” that revolves around a single idol group, you feel like you’re their best friend. Whether that is true or not and whether that is right or wrong is a completely different argument; the sense of intimacy is often the purpose and the achievement of such variety shows. But this same sense of intimacy can also have the opposite of the star struck effect. After watching the boys of MBLAQ goof off for 30 minute episodes, they remind me of every funny guy I’ve ever met. There goes the glitz, the glamour, the singing and the dancing.

But with “It’s War,” they return to all that. Pardon me for the following example, but it’s like watching your kid brother trying to be Enrique Iglesias. Bottom line: it’s weird. In MBLAQ’s case specifically, it’s funny. These clowns are trying to convince me that they’re these badass, angsty, manly men? I can’t handle it. I’m dying of laughter.

But I shouldn’t. I like MBLAQ. I like them a lot. They have some great songs, great dances, and potential to continue to grow and flourish. But “Sesame Player” has convinced me that they’re just these really funny, amusing, regular old guys. They’ve lost that magical star effect that makes me believe in them when I see them on stage.

I’ve watched variety shows before but not one that has centered around a single idol group and does nothing but focus only on them so I can’t say if this holds true for other groups and other shows as well. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it did. Variety shows want to bridge the gap between star and fan but what they are kind of doing instead, is bringing the star down to the fan’s level. Now, you might think that’s a good thing but how can you idolize someone when they’re the guy or girl next door? You can’t and variety shows need to be careful that they don’t continue to kill the magic off of which this industry is thriving.

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  • melody

    i beg to differ tho. i mean ive been following them since their debut, i ve seen most of their shows such as idol army, mblaq goes to school and all, and i know they are five dorkiest dorks ever but that makes me love them more. i mean they make me feel like they are real people. they can be gluttonous, stupid and stuff, and i just love that. and about their stage and angst music videos, i mean its more like they’re being a professional entertainers. its like its their job. they get the lyrics, they get into the appropriate feelings that suits the lyrics and then they act it out. and i think mblaq is pretty good expressing the angst. *maybe im the only one but idc* i think same goes to some other idols too, i mean have you seen DBSK during their earlier years, have you seen chun’s troll face, jaejoong’s fail and all? but when they perform they can be some of the most serious performers. well, maybe thats just me tho.

    • Boo

      LOL at DBSK. I can never with the release of Balloons. Heck, SM put those guys in fluffy animal suits and had them prance around stage in one promotion cycle and they still had the nation spazzing with the release of uber-sexy Mirotic a year after. 

      These idols have different facets. They aren’t sexy and angsty 24/7. It’s only logical that they have funny, dorky sides too. If they didn’t make you believe in the image their selling, then maybe they have failed you. But then again that’s just you and you do not equate the rest of the fans. 

  • o___O

    So, does every writer on Seoulbeats hate MBLAQ or something?

    • Annon

      This! Its been hate on MBLAQ week or something. Im about to stop coming here. I heard this was a better place to get news and stuff about kpop but I dont really like reading bashing articles all the time.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Anngelica-Aguilar/100000185514336 Anngelica Aguilar

        LOL! I noticed that too xD My sister stopped coming here a loooong time ago when all she saw was Suju bashing lol! And at the time I was like “Dude, why are you complaining? Just ignore it and read another article” But now I know how she feels haha…

      • http://twitter.com/Laava90 Lava

        exactly, there have been a whole lot of articles including mblaq lately and they’re all criticizing!! I think there is a lot more to be praised with mblaq than there is to be criticised

      • Guest19789

        bye

        • Anon

          ???

    • jess1

      It’s just that every writer on Seoulbeats is a Beast fan. :X

    • Cherry

      You guys are two steps past delusional. The writer said he/she likes MBLAQ but getting to know their goofy side is a contrast to what they portay on stage. That’s like every artist in kpop and most artist worldwide. For instance CL’s shy off stage persona is comepletely contradicting to her fierce and confident onstage one. I don’t remember the writer bashing the group. I’m an A+ too but I can tell the difference between bashing and giving a critic. I’ve been looking at all these articles lately on SB including listening to the chatbox and 75% has been praise towards MBLAQ. 

    • Anonymous

      I’m kind of glad MBLAQ is getting so much attention from SB… I get the impression that people pretty much ignore them and don’t even know they exist. For example, the recent year-end festival articles hardly mentioned MBLAQ. Even the red carpet fashion article had every other idol group (even the rookies) except for them… As a fan, it kind of hurts because I honestly think they hold their own and are just as talented as some of the more popular groups. So yeah, negative comments or not, MBLAQ is still getting exposure and I’m happy about that because in the end, it’s up to the reader to make their own judgement.

  • Nhduasigldf

    omg what is wrong with you

  • Guest

    Seriously, you don’t respect MBLAQ’s hard work one single bit.
    Try to find better arguments to push their efforts into dirty mud – but not with such a stupid argument like ‘I think they are too funny to be taken seriously.”
    They are humans – humans are supposed to be that way!
    You actually have never understood what this means!
    Keep your opinion for yourself – better for all.

  • Rodo

    Come on… Look at the bigger picture here. The fact that the ARE funny and silly irl means they aren’t afraid to show their fans what they’re really like. Instead of not being able to view them seriously, why not take your time to consider how much range they have to have many different sides to them. G.O being the badass and troll that he is can belt out the ballads and the MV for his single totally doesn’t lose it’s bittersweet effect just because I’ve seen him in variety shows :) I have to say I’m impressed with Mir’s switch, he’s the silliest of them all but he can sure put on his mask, he impressed me the most during Mona Lisa, the sunglasses helped tho lol. Even if you still can’t take them seriously, switch off the video and listen to the audio, surely Chance’s (i think he made the songs) arrangements and the boys’ voice deserves that much.

  • http://twitter.com/free2sing14 Ayan Hassan

    …what?

    I’ve never seen idols as anymore than regular people, so seeing MBLAQ as goofballs does not change the fact that I take them seriously as performers. I doubt most male idols are as “manly and angsty” as they portray themselves on stage. Getting to know MBLAQ just causes to respect them more.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Anngelica-Aguilar/100000185514336 Anngelica Aguilar

      I totally agree with you!

  • http://www.twitter.com/hipployta Hipployta

    Youve got the viewing experience all wrong. All idol groups do shows like this. Idol Army, Hello Baby, and Sesame Player were made to build the relationship with them. After watching variety it should show their performances to be even more impressive really and their struggles, the docu shows, more real.

  • Boo

    If anything, their dorky and lovable personalities will only gain them more love in the end. The public hardly has time to devote themselves into watching a show entirely about MBLAQ so when they see them all cool and godlike in their music releases they’ll see only that. The fact is MBLAQ also appears in other variety shows and they’re good at it. Their hardcore fans will just love them anyway and even more with their approachability. Super Junior have done everything one could possibly think of in variety and they still had success with the rather angry & terrifying Don’t Don. Hahaha.

    It’s hardly a bad strategy. Certainly does not merit an entire article written about it. 

    Can we just talk about Hello Baby? OMGGGG. 

    • http://twitter.com/Laava90 Lava

      I’m dying for hello baby!! did you see the promo pic with the 3 babies?? 87 line look like the best dads ever (…they did have tons of practice with mir though lol)

  • Guest

    Interesting. Haven’t seen the show (but will be checking it out momentarily!), but I did see them on another show with Super Junior. And they were funny for sure. Meshed well with SJ. Which got me thinking about Super Junior and their shows. I think I’ve seen all of the main ones and I’ve definitely seen them make fools of each other and themselves. But it hasn’t ever affected how I see them as performers. 

    One could argue that Eunhyuk is one of the biggest clowns of Super Junior. All of his embarrassing secrets and banal, human qualities have been revealed on numerous occasions. On Strong Heart he’s always doing body gags and silly dances. But once he starts performing, serious performing, I buy it. No qualms about it. He probably has the most stage charisma out of all of them.

    So, sorry for commenting only about SJ, but I don’t know MBLAQ that well. I just don’t see how this could happen…

    • http://twitter.com/Chouchou103 Michele

      What show with MBLAQ and Suju are you talking about?

      And I totally agree with you about suju and definitely Eunhyuk. The first half of Exploration of the Human Body have the members do some of the most ridiculest faces and antics ever and its always a good laugh, yet when I see them on stage when they’re being serious i totally believe it. 

      • Guest

        The Shin PD show. They did two episodes together, 3 members form MBLAQ with 3 members from Suju. I thought it was bloody hilarious.

  • http://twitter.com/Laava90 Lava

    Ok I’m just going to go with what you said about not watching any other show where it’s centred around one group. So many groups are complete goofs of stage, just watch Idol Army, Infinites Sesame Player and Hello Baby just as a start, so many groups are like this, they have an image to portray on stage and then they have to be normal and approachable on variety shows. 
    I’m not sure why MBLAQ is the first group to have made you realise this, but honestly watching their shows doesn’t really affect the performance at all for most people, if anything the personalities on and off stage are so different you don’t even think they’re the same group.
    I’m thinking the reason you’re feeling this way is because you just watched Sesame Player and then straight after watched all the angst of ‘Its War’, if it’s not that, I’m so confused about how you’re feeling about them, I can’t understand how you’re feeling at all. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Anngelica-Aguilar/100000185514336 Anngelica Aguilar

    In that case you should watch Hello Baby with SHINee. (Or Idol Army with 2pm and SHINee) It’s HILARIOUS XDDD but of course after watching it I couldn’t take SHINee seriously afterwards either. Same thing with Sesame Player. But after a while I like the fact that they’re really fun and ordinary. I’m tired of these idols looking like badasses or too cool and stick to their image. Just goes to show that they’re great performers. 

  • Mirotic2100

    Absolutely, don’t agree. Why? So what do you expect? they won’t sing serious songs or something like that coz they are goofy and adorable as hell? strange logic have to admit. I watched Sesame Player too, and basically i started loving them because of that show, coz they are young guys in their 20s, acting like that(well, not really but ok), but as soon as they step on stage they are different. and this is how it should be in my opinion. And it’s not only them. Someone mentioned Eunhyuk here. It’s perfectly the same. Everytime i see him in variety shows i burst into laughing.. but as soon as he steps on stage? Seriously totally different guy. So what now? i can’t see him dance seriously? or sing seriously? no. Coz they are artists. Another good example, is our beloved JYJ kim junsu. Seriously, have u heard his laugh? Have u basically seen DBSK in some variety shows and stuff? again, different people. Variety shows exist for showcasing their personality, and their… well.. Humanity? After all, they are simple guys like us. And sometimes this is why i love kpop and variety shows. They are not stars, or gods or anything, they are regular people.. talented regular people. And this is how it should be. I can give u example even about myself. I can be the goofiest person alive(well not more than Mblaq) but as soon as i sit near the piano, i’m a completely different person. So now u can’t take me seriously? This is wrong.
    This is one of the few times that i completely don’t agree with seoulbeats. IMO, because of their ability to change and to transform, we should respect them for that a lot more.

  • Blossemcup4

    I really enjoyed Sesame Player, too but I don’t feel as if it made them less believable onstage. I think it made me look forward to anything they do, whether it’s performing or being silly. Whenever I watch a variety show with a specific idol, I find that I end up liking them more in the end.

    • whatthefrell

      I completely agree.

      Like I always say,
      how can you not love these guys…
      Kkaeal Player was absolutely hilarious.
      It was also at times so moving and even heartbreaking,
      and also so revealing — especially towards the end,
      when each are asked if doing this show has been good for them.
      Joonie’s response especially, as he begins by “towing the party line.”
      I can’t remember who the interviewer was at that time, I think it was GO. 
      Whoever it was wasn’t having it, and Joon relents and speaks the truth —
      though funny, it is a very real moment.

      I too do not think the “star effect” was made any less in their case.
      I think, for them, it improved upon it.
      It made me appreciate them more as professionals and as performers.
      Yeah, they can be silly as all get out,
      but when it comes time to get the job done,
      they rise to the occasion as only true professionals can.

      I enjoy watching no other group more.
      In my opinion, they are simply the most endearing group of guys in K-pop.
      I absolutely adore them!

      Thanks Subi, for giving them more of the attention they deserve!

  • The Unicorner

    Perhaps the reason “It’s War” is so difficult for you to take seriously is because… it’s difficult for anyone to take seriously? The entire concept and storyline are so ridiculously OTT I am honestly not sure if the MV was meant to be farcical or not, but I find that reading it that way makes it far more enjoyable.

    That said, after watching Idol Army, the disconnect between the band’s offstage and onstage personalities became abundantly clear. Yet I was still able to enjoy their MV and stage performances because, you know, compartmentalization.

    I’ve read discussions before on this whole “star mystique” thing, not in reference to K-pop but to celeb culture as a whole. In this age of mass media, we are constantly exposed to images of celebs doing “normal” things like walking their dogs, getting Starbucks, going grocery shopping, etc. You can go onto any celeb blog and read “insider” gossip which may or may not be true, but it doesn’t matter. The point is, it makes celebs feel more like “one of us,” real people instead of mystical, larger-than-life figures that occupy our TV and movie screens. Older fans are nostalgic for “star mystique,” but younger fans are not going to miss something they never really knew. Most of the younger generation–K-pop fans–grew up in a culture saturated by mass media and are used to seeing celebs this way. If anything, variety allows K-pop fans to feel closer to their idols, to form a kind of personal connection that strengthens their devotion and thus, spending power. But it can also fuel some truly scary behavior on the part of possessive netizens, so it’s a double-edged sword.

    At the end of the day, though, I don’t think variety is going to affect the fan experience much. Most of the people watching those shows are probably fans already, so it’s not like they’re just going to drop MBLAQ now that the knowledge that they are just funny, goofy, regular guys prevents them from feeling the ~*man pain*~ in their MVs.

  • http://twitter.com/leyseven Olivey

    What the what? Like the others said before, seeing the idols’ goofy sides makes me respect them more. For example Mir: he can be such a crazy kiddo (he annoyed me a bit on IA :_:) but when he performs, he transforms completely and it’s AMAZING to see! For me a part of kpop’s allure is just that – we really* get to know the idols.

    *as “really” as “reality” tv lets us

  • happyslip

    But I really think MBLAQ’s music is good, I love their recent mini album. Their performances are still good enough to pull me in.

    I don’t care if they’re apparently super goofy outside their music. It shouldn’t even matter. Seeing idols act funny through variety should serve as a bonus, and not as a main criteria of how you should eventually see them (as performers) and their music.

  • ssongssong

    OH god..seriously. I understand what are you trying to point out. Though I don’t feel the same way you feel toward MBLAQ after waching Sesame Player but it apply to SuJu member. I’ve like them since 4 years ago. Watching every variety show, get to know their goofing and fun side and then out of blue they put some manly act. For example, when I watch Siwon in Oh My Lady, other girl was head over heels with his manly yet romantic side but I just laugh seeing him acting the opposite way of him. Yeah..it feels like watching someone you know very well.Like your besfriend is acting and you’ll just laugh at some act he normally didnt do in daily life.
    In MBLAQ case, watching Sesame Player makes me love and fall for them even deeper..especially the lovely leader, Seungho.^^

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LL4QDJLVFDT2RDIZYBALSE75JE angel29

    I, on the other hand, do not see it as a hate-MBLAQ-article.  I think the author is just stating that in her opinion variety shows have the ability to remove the magic off idol-ship because they make them appear attainable as they show lifestyle, interests and humor that we, fans also possess.  It just makes use of MBLAQ as the example.  Do we agree or do we not agree with the premise?

    As for myself, I think that variety shows allow a venue to be known.  I agree that it sets back the image somehow but if the idols are not known as a brand, what’s the point of being idols in the first place?  They’ll just lose their relevance and nothing is left of them.  Most of the groups struggle to be known and become household names.  Without the help of these variety shows, what’s the use of an image?

    Even known artists appear on variety shows (MBLAQ I believe is one of the more popular groups now) to make sure that they continue to be relevant.  Again, at the expense of their image.  But there are so many other venues for stars to rebuild their images like CFs, MVs, new albums, social network posts… so they are not really that concerned.  The more fans who know them and see them, the higher their value become.  The higher their value, the better their chances are for making it big… and making it big is the answer to keeping and making an image worthy of idol worship.

    • http://twitter.com/Laava90 Lava

      I think the reason it’s coming off as a hate article is because firstly seoulbeats has recently seemed to just be posting a lot of negative stuff on mblaq, with their comeback starting its upsetting fans. Also, I can see how the show is being used to make a point, however, seeing as the writer hasn’t watched other group focused variety shows they don’t seem to be able to give a solid opinion on the matter of idols losing their image, basically it seems like an article that wasn’t too well thought out, so it’s easy to pick loopholes, and I think that’s why people are annoyed.
      I don’t make sense in my comments either though so I cant talk X__X I’m hoping I made some sense =S

  • Anon

    Are you new to kpop or…

    • Anon

      Why did this thing cut me :( Anyways, just watch more reality tv and you will see that this is the norm. All idols have their stage persona and then their variety persona.

      Its really normal.

  • taydate

    i came to love MBLAQ because of their variety shows! seeing them as cute and dorky guys makes me love them 100x more!! and seeing my boys make a complete change to chic idols makes me really in awe of how they are such great entertainers!! seeing the human said to them makes me feel closer to them, and support them in everything they do! MBLAQ FIGHTING!!

  • Meanie

    Hmmm…

    I’m still trying to figure out this whole Kpop thing and how you guys either take MV’s so serious or because a male group is so funny on a show that now you can’t take them serious as a music group? Okaaaaaaaaaaay. 

    My realm into Kpop is a strange one, I knew kpop existed (Thank you Ashley) but really didn’t bother to look it up, it wasn’t the music that brought me here, it was Rain acting in Ninja Assassin.  Even then I really didn’t listen to Rain’s music. Until I saw Ninja Assassin for the millionth time that I posed the question, who is that guy who played the younger Raizo? He looked familiar but I couldn’t place him.

    Went on the Cloud USA site and saw the section for MBLAQ.  Lee Joon they called him, and look, who are his band mates?  Let’s go to Youtube ——–>

    Saw these funny clips that were 15 secs to 2 mins long.  Where are these clips coming from? Looked in the comments section and people started naming variety shows, MBLAQ goes to school (Waffir), Idol Army, Sesame Player. 

    Mind you I still had not listened to their music, but I laughed and I laughed and I laughed, to finally I said let me listen to their music.

    Guess what, not bad.  Solid songs.  Then I said well let me listen to Rain, 2 am/pm who is that? 2NE1, ok I’m starting to feel it.

    So I said all this to say, “Laughter is a powerful drug.”  Sometimes it takes that one group or person that brings you into something new, that you actually knew about but wasn’t really interested in, into being really interested into this world of Kpop.

    I look at some of the other variety shows with other idol groups, but MBLAQ took the cake.  And I liked them the most because they were young guys in their 20′s doing what young guys do, play games, ruff house around, talk about women and care for each other. It was one episode on Sesame player where G.O. was asking Joon about one of the girls he liked in another group and G.O. busted him out saying, “You know you was whipped.”  I fell out of chair and iCACKLED.  They are so natural and down to earth with one another, that you can’t help but like them.  Actually I can’t wait to see the new variety show they will be in.

    Now I have been on Seoul Beats since beginning of August 2011, so I didn’t see MBLAQ mentioned much which was fine, I got to know more about other groups, and since these are opinion pieces, then I guess we just agree to disagree about this.

  • Anima

    Although I still dislike homophobic G.O., this show made me warm up to mblaq a bit more and I really like Joon as a person now. It is also because of this show that I found Infinite’s sesame player (which I actually prefer to mblaq tbh and it reallllly helped their popularity). If anything, I think this show was good for them because it gained them a lot of new fans.

    I think that it’s because they were seen more as real people that fans ended up liking them more because it makes them seem real and more relatable. Sometimes that’s the kind of people worth rooting for imo.

    Their latest mini (imo) however might have been a small step backward though :/

    • jess1

      I don’t think G.O is homophobic judging from that Heechul comment. They’re in South Korea where being gay is almost a taboo. He was just reacting like 98% of men would do because in all honesty I don’t even think the word homophobic exists to them because just look at the amount of bromance they have. 

      And the way G.O clings to Seungho everytime? I don’t think so. 

      • Meanie

        Can you tell me what G.O. said?

        • whatthefrell

          I am not sure of all the details, but I think they are referring to 
          Heechul extending an invitation to lunch, drinks, or something to GO.
          Heechul was a bit relentless in his efforts.
          GO says he thought Heechul was gay, 
          and GO may have found Heechul’s overtures 
          a bit overwhelming.

          Heechul, who may or may not be gay, 
          seems to be a really friendly kind of guy, loved by all who know him.
          When GO finally met Heechul and they got to know each other, 
          it turns out GO, may or may not be homophobic, 
          or even gay himself really likes Heechul. 
          They both chalked it up to a misunderstanding.

          But that is the only incident I am aware of. 

          Please, anyone, correct me if I’m wrong.

        • Whatchawant?

          He said at first when he saw heechul for the first time,he avoided him because go thought heechul was gay

        • http://twitter.com/Laava90 Lava

          he thought heechul was coming onto him because he kept asking him to come out and for his number and considering heechuls past ‘scandalous’ behaviour with men he was unsure of what to say so he just ended up avoiding heechul for a long while

        • whatthefrell

          MBLAQ appeared on Heechul’s Radio Show.
          If you haven’t seen or heard it already, 
          you should give it a look/listen.
          They actually address the issue, 
          and the show is a lot fun.
          It helped me to understand 
          why everybody loves Heechul…

          • Meanie

            Gotcha, thanks.

          • whatthefrell

            My pleasure.
            Oh, and my foray into K-pop was 
            actually quite similar to yours… 
            Rain’s instant appeal aside, 
            I had to know who was playing Teenage Raizo… 
            He was so incredibly appealing to me.
            He was quite the scene-stealer; and 
            if you ask me, worthy of so much
            more recognition for that role.

      • http://twitter.com/Laava90 Lava

        lol ‘the way g.o clings to seungho everytime? I don’t think so.’ haha they really are like an old married couple >_<

  • jess1

    I get what you’re saying with the “losing the star effect” because of variety shows like this but the way you see it as that is also what fans love about them MORE.

    You have these manly, sexy, performers on stage and then you also have these goofballs offstage. It’s like getting more than what you want to see, and it’s actually not a bad thing. As a fan, it’s nice to see their personalities off stage coz I don’t think I would ever support a celebrity if I don’t like his personality. So maybe he is a great musician, then I’ll just be a fan of the music and not the person, but then again that’s not how it is in Kpop. I think the word idolize has a different meaning now in Kpop. It’s not just liking them on stage as performers, their image and their music, it’s also how they are as a person off stage and how they can switch instantly. 

  • http://twitter.com/YunTiHa YunTi Ha

    Everyone is bound to have their own opinions and not everyone has to agree with it. I don’t see this as a hateful article against MBLAQ. The fact that the author just finished watching Sesame Player and then watch the MV would make it hard for them to get their image on Sesame Player while watching the MV. Not being able to take them seriously in the MV just shows that Sesame Player left a greater impression on the author than the the MV did. This is by no means anything bad against MBLAQ. 

    The boys of MBLAQ are only human and they all have their own personalities, the fact that they can bust out angsty songs such as It’s War shows that they are talented. If every singer were to stick to the image/feel of their songs(or at least their title song) then most of them would all be emo. That takes away from all of the entertainment. MBLAQ and any other singer have the rights to be themselves, to be dorky, to be funny, etc. They should not be tied down by their song concepts. 

    MBLAQ makes it known that they have nothing to hide. They always put their best effort out on and off stage. They are cool like they should be when performing and they are comfortable and don’t put up an act when on variety shows. They are not afraid to make a fool of themselves and they know how to entertain in performances and variety shows.

    I appreciate all these articles SeoulBeats is doing on MBLAQ. Regardless of it being negative or positive towards MBLAQ, the fact that there are more articles on them show that they are gaining more attention. It also introduces MBLAQ to people who are not familiar with them. I trust that readers don’t just agree with SeoulBeats’ s opinions and will actually form their own opinions. So good or bad article, it is good that MBLAQ is getting more exposure.

    • http://twitter.com/Laava90 Lava

      The problem is that the article could have been a lot better if it was written just a little bit better and with less of a mocking tone at some points, otherwise the writer is making a valid point, the discussion of whether or not the real or ‘idol’ images of these idols is more appealing is actually quite interesting, but within the context it was put in, and the way the article was written there’s bound to be some unhappy readers. 
      I’m also glad they’re getting more articles and exposure but can’t help but feel that some of them have an unnecessary mocking tone to them which are then covered up in a final paragraph saying ‘but theyre good’ that’s hardly going to make people interested. That’s just what it seems like to me though, but I like your comment a lot, and your more chilled attitude, just some people actually will look at an article and take that opinion without another thought.

      • Marty

        I agree that MBLAQ may need more recognition for being “good” but I also think  the charm in Seoulbeats it the tone. With out the tone, Sealbeats articles are no better then the news articles on AllKPop or any other Kpop news sites. 

        • http://twitter.com/Laava90 Lava

          I agree that the tone is what makes it different here, however, they also know how to adopt a more ‘praising’ tone if you get what I mean, and the only tone I sense in these article lately are a tone of pure criticism.

  • http://twitter.com/MassMinority Tamar Linger

    even before watching sesame player last fall i could tell theyre only 30% “chique” and 70% crazy but i have no issues idolizing them, the fact that their craziness and silliness makes them seem more down to earth only makes me fangirl them more

  • Anonymous

    This happened to me with 2pm. I was introduced to them by watching Idol Army and Wild Bunny.  I lol’d so much watching those shows! I didn’t know that they had the beastly image at the time.

    So when I did find out I was like… ‘wha?!! You mean the guy who’s willing to go out looking like a traffic signal is supposed to be sexy?!? THAT guy?!’

    I’ve come to see them as some goofy dudes who happen to be idols. So when it comes to them ripping off their shirts and doing all those body waves, I just laugh to myself because it’s just a no for me.

    I still enjoy them but that certain idol mystique certainly has worn off of them for me.

  • Anonymous

    I said this before on 2ne1′s last article and I’ll say it again: no one wears their idol persona 24/7. Once the guyliner, crazy stage outfits, crayola colored hair, and gimmicks are taken away, they’re just regular people like we are when they’re off from work. Despite the chocolate abs, hip thrusts, and mouth wipes, these guys are as sexy as bunny rabbits and puppies when you get them away from the stage and have them hang out like normal guys. The majority of these idols have never gone to first, second -let alone third- base with a member of the opposite sex, so they’re still awkward like teenagers. As far as not being able to take their images/concepts seriously: they’re selling a product and sound. With that product and particular sound, an image is expected of them. It may be ridiculous when you know it isn’t the “real” them, but it would be even more ridiculous if they looked like the opposite of what they’re supposed to be selling.

    • http://twitter.com/Laava90 Lava

      Lol agree with everything except I’m pretty sure a lot of them are getting busy with the opposite sex behind the scenes >_< minus mir and thunder who just admitted they never dated before recently, that was cute lol

    • Meanie

      LOL. Oh I’m sure some of them are having sex and on the regular too. Actually they probably have an underground network amongst the idol groups. Or they hook up with people on the staff that they are around most of the time.  Most of them are grown men, so I don’t wear rose colored glasses when it comes to these idols, if they are watching porn then they probably having sex too.

    • http://twitter.com/spinkfish Jenny

      “The majority of these idols have never gone to first, second -let alone third- base with a member of the opposite sex”

      nah

      • Boo

        IA. They’re at that age where hormones rage.

        Can you imagine Big Bang (except Taeyang) being pure and chaste? LOL. 

        • jess1

          Taeyang? Haha! I’m sorry but that dude is just the same as the other members. 

        • LikeItIs

          Taeyang admitted a long time ago that he was a virgin. Even Dara knows. Apparently he’s not good with girls

  • http://twitter.com/singaporetwins singaporetwins

    Okay, first… I loved this show… I was so sad that Mir couldn’t participate because of his surgery… he’d have been so funny!!!! But I don’t agree with you when you say that they lost their idol appeal. I think it’s good that they show that they are regular people who you can meet in real life, it makes them more approachable and people can relate to them, it shows you that normal people can be stars too… not some godly like person, cuz no one is like that. But just because you’ve seen them act normal, it doesn’t mean you should not take them seriously anymore. In fact, I think it’d make you appreciate their talent more… I mean… it shows you how adaptable they are. If they can portray a serious image when they are actually clowns… it’s no mean feat and just shows how talented/dedicated they are to their art. And ALL idols have a persona… they aren’t like that in real life. It’s like a businessman… in the boardroom he’s serious and tough, whereas at home he might be really chill and funny. People have many different facets to them… you can’t classify people… they act differently depending on the situation or who they are with. It’s like with SHINee… they debuted as a cute boy group… but with Lucifer, they came back as tough men… does this mean you don’t take them seriously anymore???? Because their image completely changed. Idols just sell a concept, not themself… and depending on the concept… it changes often… they can be cute and then sexy next.

  • G.

    Three negative MBLAQ articles all on one page.

    First it’s the costumes.
    Then it’s the MV-with-a-plot that everyone seems to hate.
    And now it’s about not being goofy 24/7.

    Fine, then. If you take away the costumes, the MV plot, and being goofy 24/7, you’d get… idk, Super Junior? 2PM?

    What exactly can MBLAQ do to make the writers here happy? -_-;;

  • Livvyurlife

    The only kind of variety shows I watch ARE the ones that mainly focus on one group. Usually if I’m new to an artist and I find that their music appeals to me, I’ll see if they’ve appeared on any variety shows. And believe me, after watching all those laugh inducing episodes, the Kpop group and their music become a million times better. Of course, quality is probably the same as it always was but as variety do make you feel as if you do have that intimacy with an idol is what makes me love and appreciate them more. I really think it depends on the person, but personally variety shows have not had that “losing star” effect on me :)

  • ME

    Kekeke… most of us need to read between the lines, and grasp the ‘hidden’ issue.
    I know the SB writers meant well, sometimes the executing differs from the idea.

    MBLAQ is highly appraised (or being the main issue) in SB lately. Basically, since MBLAQ is one of several established idol-groups that having a blast with their comeback with very dramatic MV in 2012 ‘It’s War’. It kind of natural, to talk about MBLAQ, from their fashion, their individuality, their performances, their progress, etc…. to the detailed info about them (don’t tell me how many Selca, hair-style, until graduation photo to the extreme baby photo) surface.

    The last time I check, SB has been accused of being haters on SNSD, Super Junior, SM, SHINee, TVXQ, er… I only go for 2 – 3 pages, oups… 

    I still going to SB, though. Because I know I can speak my mind freely, and mostly because SB writers as well as SB readers a lot more mature than others…. (feel free to fill in the blank).
    This is what the writer think, and if you can tell her what you think over this matter, let her know. 

    I also don’t think Subi is 100% right as well. 
    Take example: Britney Spears. Oh, dear… how she created ‘big hit’ (did you know how many people and how many times people hit on the youtube, google, any other means available), when she shaved her own hair and left the rehab less than a month? 

    Where is she now? Still one of the top queens of the pop. 
    Did it hurt her new album or her image as the ‘queen’? I don’t think so.

    Maybe I am taking too far with Britney and MBLAQ.

    So, I’m going personal. Knowing how silly, dorky, funny some idols are, don’t kill their image as stars. Every people is unique, and that’s what great about them. I watched Chansung who sometimes has his blank expression that really made me, ugh. But I still love to watch him perform on stage or looking up for news about him (group). It kind of surprise me (in a good way), to know how he loves reading (and one of the novels he read was ‘Perfume’) and how he hated learning his drama-script since it was written in Japanese language only, kekeke…

    Most important elements for me to watch them, buy their album or see their performances definitely based on their song and how they perform themselves on the stage. 
    MBLAQ definitely one of the idol-groups that has several good songs and quite a strong performers on the stage.

    I cheer them on, whether when they perform their songs or if they decide to join gag-parody stage/variety shows.  

  • http://twitter.com/spinkfish Jenny

    Yes, it’s true variety shows bring you to a heightened level of intimacy with idols that can remove some screens from your eyes and make you see more facets of their personality… but that isn’t necessarily detrimental to the business, as you suggested. Variety shows are one of the key differences between the western (pop) music industry and the kpop industry. They are a major part of what makes idols in kpop “idols” and not just “artists” or “musicians.” In kpop idols are selling more than the music of their group, they are selling their personalities and images. What you buy into isn’t necessarily just the quality of music (do I even need to make a sarcastic comment in parentheses here?) but rather the idols as people you want to support. Their career is as entertainers, not simply musicians.

    The aloofness and glitz and glamor of MVs and the luxury life idols appear to lead creates the same distance between celebrity and fan that exists in American pop. I wouldn’t feel confident suggesting anything about my favorite western celebrity’s personalities, because interviews in America hardly ever give you the same insight (or perception of insight) into a celebrity’s character as variety shows can (and I’m talking about beyond what’s scripted, but the subtleties and nuances you can pick up as a dedicated watcher). When you bridge the gap with variety shows that showcase idols as human beings, it becomes even easier to feel your heart swell with affection and sympathy and delight with their actions. And once the heart is sold, you are a goner. That is what inspires the level of fanaticism some kpop fans can achieve. Looks aren’t enough to power that, it is the sense that your idol is a good and worthy person who works hard and deserves love. Yes, you might lose the star-struck sensation, but isn’t that sort of the point? To make the idols feel like they are people personally close to you? Admittedly no longer being able to buy into the concept probably isn’t intentional (even after extensive perusal of all variety shows involving my favorite idols I’m still 100% sold on their sexy BAMF concepts), the level of intimacy is. To use your analogy, I am more inclined to spend money to ensure my kid brother’s happiness than Enrique Inglesias’s, even if he does have washboard abs.

  • Meanie

    This is somewhat off topic (but in a way connected) and I
    don’t know who to go to and contact on Seoul Beats to
    suggest and article, it was kind of talked about when “HARA AND
    JUNHYUNG CAUGHT DATING”.  

     

    Since we are talking about variety
    shows that showcase idols as human beings (I wan’t to bold &
    underline human beings), that show their personalities, being goofy, dorky, etc…
    but people don’t think they are human enough to have sex or relationships?

     

    I bring this up because LaurenLCD
    said, “The majority of these idols have never gone to first, second -let
    alone third- base with a member of the opposite sex, so they’re still awkward
    like teenagers.”

     

    This is one of the issues I have with kpop that I find
    disturbing and I guess its mostly dealing with the fans, that I can’t wrap my
    head around, the “Othering” (yes, I know that’s not a word, or more like stereotyping)
    of the men/women Asian idols.

     

    In America Asian men (and women, but I’m going to focus on
    the men) get stereotyped as these nerdy, asexual men, that no one finds sexy
    and can’t get girl friends.  But here you
    have sexy good looking men/women in kpop and they are getting stereotyped as
    being either asexual, or and this one is connected to the fanfiction,
    especially the extreme ones (you have the idols having sexual relationships
    with each other in the group, because the person writing the fiction will get jealous if they are paired with women.) Seoul Beats already touched on this subject, but
    all of it is connected, but it all boils down to is that these kpop idols aren’t human
    beings (But Aliens from another planet) so they wouldn’t know what sex is and they wouldn’t be having it.

     

    Now if you talking about macking skills (Flirting, etc..)
    and how these men and women kpop idols go about it I have no idea, sense I don’t
    know them and I don’t live in Korea,I don’t know what the social/cultural
    implications are.  Some of what I have
    seen they have more of a hierarchy when it comes to respect amongst men and
    women.  So I can’t say if G.O. goes up to
    women and say, “Hey ma, can I get ur
    number.”

     

    I saw this a while back http://youtu.be/4e3kXL-Va9k
     and  http://youtu.be/8tZd8V5UXkk

     

    The guy asked rain: How do you express affection to a girl?

     

    Rain: I expressed before but she did not realize it.

     

    The guy: How did you express that she did not even realize
    it?

     

    Rain: Have you eaten? (You can watch the rest of the video,
    but Rain basically said he gradually built up to ask the woman out).

     

    Of course there is nothing wrong with that, it just an
    approach that’s not forward or in your face, than what you see in America. Again
    that may be more cultural and maybe why kpop fans get this ideal in their heads
    that the idols aren’t having sex, or kissing, or dating.

     

    There is one thing on this planet that is universal and that’s
    having sex and to procreate.

     

    Okay I got that off my chest, now back to our scheduled
    program —————>

    • Meanie

      Argh…Does anyone know how to edit your comments on here?

      • Anonymous

        You can edit your comments if you posted using a Disqus account. I don’t know about the other accounts that lets you post here (like FB, twitter etc), but I know for sure that with an Disqus account you can edit your post later on :D

        • Meanie

          Thanks

    • whatthefrell

      It is a very interesting and at time perplexing topic that is covered at length, 
      and in greater detail on other blogs dealing with relationships with Asian, 
      and in particular Korean men. I’ve only been keeping up with Seoulbeats 
      for less than a year (of which I was very pleased to happen upon it).  
      The article “Who Wants Some Black Genes” popped up and I was hooked.
      It has to be rather tortuous for such a large group of healthy, active, hormonal, 
      and good looking young people to be so limited and confined.  
      On the one hand it has its good points, in terms of discipline, keeping young men and women safe and out of trouble during the most vulnerable years of their lives; 
      on the other… it is so… unnatural.

      I mean you spend all those years training, debuting, performing; 
      and then for the men, you serve your time in the military.  
      Then, if you’ve done what you were told the whole time, 
      it must be nothing less than awkward to return to the real world 
      in hope of finding a mate, your one true love.

      I understand Se7en’s been with his girlfriend since high school.
      How he managed that, I’d like to know.
      Kudos to him! 

      • Meanie

        I have to check that article out. I really only come to Seoul Beats, so I really haven’t ventured to the other sites, I am glad that people are talking about it.

    • Anonymous

      Thanks for your article suggestion! We’ll definitely look into it!

      (By the way, you can share your future suggestions to the authors by clicking the ‘Share Your Insights’ tab at the top right corner of the site)

      - Fannie

  • whatthefrell

    Sorry, 
    I just have to comment on how adorable Cheondung is that Kkaeal Player image; 
    and how the images of Seungho are when he was asked if he ever came 
    to rehearsal sweating of alcohol — he was so busted! LOL! 

  • Sophia miles

    Okay i just watched the first episode & i’m like eh? 

    • whatthefrell

      Granted, it is ridiculousness at its finest.
      Most especially when it’s so obvious they’re exhausted, 
      and they’re having to come up with stupid games, 
      instead of getting some much needed rest.  
      But maybe it’s because I’m a huge fan 
      and I love them so much, that it, and they, 
      just grow on you, and it becomes 
      soooo addictive, and their laughter is infectious, 
      and you realize your watching more than 
      just a bunch of guys playing silly little games.
      If you make it through the first 3 episodes, 
      you’re hooked, just like the rest of us. 

      • Meanie

        My favorite episode is episode 6 when they play apartment and they get popped on the head if they lose. I still laugh my butt off watching it.

        • http://twitter.com/Laava90 Lava

          that episode had me cracking up so much, the apartment game is hilarious >_<

    • jess1

      I have to admit Episode 1 was a little dull except for the bathroom interview and the revelation of G.O’s “pigeon” folder. It got better at episode 3, for me.

      • whatthefrell

        The “pigeon” file… hilarious!
        GO was sooooo busted with that;
        and Thunder claiming all innocence lost
        after “stumbling” upon it.
        You almost believe him…

    • http://twitter.com/Laava90 Lava

      keep going once you get to ep 3 you’ll be hooked and you’ll be gasping for air from laughing so hard =D

  • http://babylovepop.tumblr.com loulou_v

    To me it’s part of what makes an “idol” and not a regular popstar: the fact that you can feel “close” to them even though you’ve never met them nor even seen them live.
    Just because you watched their variety shows in which (even though it’s probably scripted) they’re supposed to be real and funny.
    But I agree it doesnt go well with the mysterious/tough image they sometimes try to achieve.

  • whatthefrell

    This is off-topic,
    but am I to believe MBLAQ did not win M!Countdown…
    Am I hearing right that T-ara won…
    Please tell me I am mistaken and that their debut performance
    just wasn’t included in this round of voting.
    Otherwise, I will be pissed.
    I just saw their performances for “It’s War” and “Scribble,”
    and they were awesomely professionally.
    They have definitely improved, or perhaps matured is more appropriate.
    Whatever, they did a really good job.
    Thoroughly entertaining and with feeling.
    I will be devastated for them if they lost to T-ara.
    Forgive me.

    • http://twitter.com/free2sing14 Ayan Hassan

      MBLAQ wasn’t included in this round of voting, so don’t worry! :) Next week though, IT’S WAR.

      • whatthefrell

        Phew…
        thank you!
        Next week for sure!

    • melody

      u can start voting today at mnet global website. theyre currently at number one :)

    • melody

      u can start voting today at mnet global website. theyre currently at number one :)

      • whatthefrell

        Thanks!

  • LikeItIs

    I’m most likely wrong, but I feel like this article was just trying to find a flaw in MBLAQ. You’re gonna change your entire view of them because of one show? O.o They say all the time how different they are on stage to how they really are. That’s because they’re being ENTERTAINERS. Sesame Player is the real them. It’s War is them giving us a show. Also, if you consider the fact that (as far as I know) both Mir and Joon have both been cheated on, Mir one girl cheated on him with several guys and Joon, two girlfriends cheated with the same dude, you could say that there is some true feeling in this which should probably be taken seriously.

  • Anonymous

    Okay Subi, when I first read this I didn’t agree with you at all. I know the members of MBLAQ are silly boys but that didn’t stop me from thinking they were sexy performers.

    However, I totally understand what you are trying to say now. I recently watched an MBLAQ performance where they all had to pole dance and I laughed so hard at Mir (who is my favorite by the way) grinding the pole. So I guess for me, it’s all good until they try to be too sexy.

  • http://twitter.com/LulcKathy lulcKathy

    It is like this with pretty much all boy groups, if you feel this way with MBLAQ, I don’t think you’ll be able to take any idol boy group seriously, they all do variety shows, they all goof around.
    This is just the way it works in Korea, there isn’t one single boy group that achieved success by sticking to their supposed image 100%. Goofing around is in fact very necessary.