Should Somi join Teddy's new group (TBLNGG)?

Update April 2024:

Now that photos have leaked and we have very good evidence that Ella Gross, Bailey Sok and Annie Moon will be in the group, I thought I would revisit the possibility that Somi could join the group and whether that would be a good idea for the group and for Somi.

group member thread:

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TBLNGG's lineup is a brilliant double-edged sword (Update 3: Annie Moon confirmed to not debut. Ella Gross and Bailey Sok almost confirmed to debut)

Assuming TBLNGG's concept is elite, high-class and expensive, with a focus on members' individuality (because Teddy), the members we know the most about are genuinely perfect.

Annie Moon (position: probably leader):
twitter.com/MEOVVGLOBAL/status/1773011664276767082
First, getting an actual chaebol into the group is inspired. Not only will Annie generate tons of publicity just by existing, she would be a perfect fit for the concept, granting instant credibility, and luxury brands would fall over…

hammerstan

Apr 21st 2024

As I said originally, most of the other members would need to stand out so much that Somi wouldn't overshadow them. So far, the lineup of TBLNGG fits that requirement perfectly. They are already famous (Bailey, Ella), or they stand out in other ways (Annie with her chaebol status).

With all the famous members, the contract is probably only 5 years with plenty of solo work (including music) and brand deal potential, so Somi (and the other girls) wouldn't miss out on much.

Somi and the other members would fit an elite, high-class, expensive, yet friendly and approachable "mean girls" type concept, which would be a perfect counterpoint to current 5th gen popular groups. As a bonus, they are not acting, they actually are the concept.

Somi and Annie guarantee instant attention from Korea (both knets and mainstream GP), and Somi and the members are all fluent in English, familiar with the Western culture and have some international fame already (Annie through her Samsung connection), so they have great domestic and international potential.

One or two more members for the main vocal and possibly main rapper and they would be set.

Whether it would be in Somi's best interest to join the group see the original post below. Basically, Somi would be trading some freedom for the chance that the group could get as big or bigger than Blackpink so she could use that fame to increase her brand-deal $$$ and serve as a springboard for her solo career while in the group and after disbandment/hiatus.

That said, Somi's comments over the last couple years make me think she has no interest in joining a permanent group, so realistically I'd give it a 10% chance, but plenty of people said the same thing about Bailey.

Original:

Assuming Somi would want to join Teddy's next group, would it be a good idea?

Pros:

- definitely give her a boost in popularity because kpop fans care way more about groups and group competition/drama

- Somi would give the group even more hype because of her popularity and the surprise that she'll be in a permanent group for the first time

- Somi's solo work would directly support the group, and the group would directly support Somi (compared to if Somi remained solo)

- would get more music and other content because even BP gets more than Somi

- Teddy would be more likely to release content at a reasonable rate if he is producing for 2 groups instead of 2 groups + 1 solo

Cons:

- would be stuck in a GG contract for 7 years

- would have less solo music (but the solo brand deals would probably stay the same or even improve)

- less creative freedom, except for occasional solos

Other:

- the group would need a small number of excellent members that could all be centers to avoid a MissA situation (4-5, including Somi), but that's probably what they have planned anyway. 4 would be best because there would be no center.

- Somi is a bit old (23) considering Ella (15) is in the group, but 2NE1 had Minzy (15) and Dara (25) at debut

- I'm assuming the other members would also get solo work, like BP

Quote from ShaShySha

I'm pretty sure she enjoys her "freedom" as a solo artist

This isn't about trying to guess what Somi is thinking because who knows? It's just about if it would be a good idea.

Quote from dramahigh

nobody including but not limited to Somi should join Teddy's new group

Its an audition for dungeon life

Quote from bartkun

isn't that like admitting that you are happy with releasing one song in a year?

Somi didn't release anything this year as a soloist.

Quote from LovenRose

No. Don't want her in a group. She's better as a solo artist. I love her current music direction and her concept fits her perfectly. Why risk that for a group

Plus it'd be really awkward to debut an idol with 6+ years of experience and an already successful career together with rookies.

It worked fine with Sakura in Le Sserafim, and this last member that they are looking for would be like Eunchae.

Quote from nana18

There's no reason for her to join a group she's successful as she is on her own

It would be very difficult if Teddy wants to make the group at least as big as Blackpink, and Somi would help a lot. Especially in the English-speaking countries. Teddy could guarantee big budgets and promotions and occasional solo songs after the first year to entice Somi.

Quote from dramahigh

I dont think you understand what I said. I am saying nobody should audition or join Teddy's group precisely because they never release anything are jobless most of the time.

My point is that Somi is already signed to the label and getting even less comebacks than the group would get. Joining the group would give her more comebacks.

YG/TBL are bad with comebacks but great with brand deals. Somi probably gets like 80-90% of her income from brand deals so it would be a bad idea to leave the label, if that's what you are suggesting.

Quote from Fluffers

What logical reason would she subject herself to the group dynamic, when she makes insane amounts of money without doing any of that?

She might think it's her best shot at making Blackpink money. Somi makes a lot, but BP members make way more.

Quote from Pinky_Peachy

Why would she join a group when she basically left JYP to be solo? How does this make sense to any Somi fan?

People just assume she left to go solo. Somi never said that.

She might have left JYP because she would have lost all her solo deals if she joined Itzy. That's how JYP operates, but it is not how Teddy operates. Teddy gets is group artists as many solo deals as he can. Just look at Blackpink.

That might be why she joined TBL. Going solo was the only option since the company didn't have trainees that were ready, until now. That's actually what she said when asked:

Quote from Help1

I agree it would give the group more support by both Koreans and international fans. But like other people said, it seems more beneficial to the group than to Somi.

Cause while the group and Somi will both boost each other, why wouldn't Somi prefer to just grow by releasing new solo songs? Rather than the whole 7 year commitment of joining a girl group to promote her solo career in a roundabout way

Ik you said we don't know what she is thinking but it doesn't seem like a good decision for her on the business side either. Only for the group

I agree, the 7-year contract is the biggest negative. She might be able to reduce it to 5 years, but that's still a major commitment.

Basically, Somi would be trading some freedom for the chance that the group could get as big or bigger than Blackpink and use that fame to increase her brand-deal $$$ and serve as a springboard for her solo career while in the group and after disbandment/hiatus.

Quote from minafangirl

She already has a big brand as a solo artist and has been promoting solo for a while. I think it would be strange to add her into a group when she’s doing well as a solo artist. And I don’t think any of the other members would be near her in age, so there’s that too.

Doesn't seem to be an issue for Sakura, and Sakura is 3 years older than Somi.

Quote from Pinky_Peachy

Well, either way she's too established to go into a group. The examples used here were already GG members, I don't see a lot of her solo fans being happy with her going into an unknown group. She'd eclipse them hard. Somi and friends.

If they are good enough, Somi wouldn't overshadow them. Like as good or better than BP members, which is possible with the growth of kpop attracting more trainees, especially to Blackpink's producer. The audition announcement has almost 200K views in less than a week, and TBL has already scouted big names like Ella Gross.

If I was Somi I would wait until almost all the members have been selected and only consider joining if the group has a good chance of blowing up. Somi has the unusual advantage that she can see all the members before joining.

Quote from anti-hero

Why would she go back to being in a group when she’s killing it as a soloist? Makes 0 sense.

Somi is more likely to break into the worldwide mainstream in a group than as a solo, at least at first. The international solo market is way more competitive, and groups are kpop's strength.

There have been no kpop soloists that have even come close to worldwide stardom, except for Psy's meme song which doesn't really count. Maybe Somi could be the first, but hitting that peak is more likely starting out in a group.

Quote from LovenRose

Black Label's new girl group isn't guaranteed success the same way LSFM or Itzy were.

A TBL/YG group headed by Teddy has more guaranteed success than LSFM did, and probably even a JYP GG. 2NE1 was one of the biggest 2nd gen GG and Blackpink is the biggest GG by far (out of all gens), and both had Teddy as the main producer. Not sure why you think otherwise.

Quote from LovenRose

Going back to being in a group after that is close to unheard of

Surprising people generates hype and keeps people engaged. It's a good thing.

Quote from LovenRose

and has no real advantage for Somi.

Somi as part of the group would be more likely to reach Blackpink+ levels of international fame, especially in the West, because there is way more competition for soloists and kpop's strength is groups. Only BP and BTS are household names in the West, except for Psy, but that was meme fame. Maybe Somi could be the first real worldwide solo kpop star, but the evidence suggests that starting in a group is much more likely to lead to that kind of success.

Quote from LovenRose

If she wanted to be in a group she would have stayed in JYP and debuted with Itzy. She choose not to and clearly values a more independent career.

Somi probably didn't want to be in Itzy because she would have lost all her solo deals (just look at Twice at that time). It would have been a terrible financial decision. Teddy's groups clearly don't have that problem. Each BP member gets tons of solo deals.

Maybe Somi values independence more than being in a group, but the financial loss was definitely a huge issue.