Do idols debut in groups with the intention of growing big enough to go solo?

It depends on the idol if it's an idol that has so much potential. It's unfair that his talent will not be fully exploited.

Others will also want challenge themselves

So no, it's not unfair. It's a good idea

no, they debut with the intention of transitioning into acting or variety

Solo isn't for everyone and even the idols know it. Like if someone is there for the visuals even they'll know they don't have a chance to go solo no matter how many stans beg them. I think they would prefer to go into acting tbh which is low effort, high return work along with GP recognition.

There are probably a lot of them who aspire of having a solo music career away from the group. I know I would if i was in a group

And then there are those idols who are sick of idol culture or celebrity culture in general and either switch to another field like acting or completely stay away from the entertainment industry

I think few group members have that in thought at the start, but they probably start thinking on after the group debut thinking on in, if they group is doing well that is. Some sure, some probably have that in mind from the start, but I don't think they are that many, they probably are just happy being selected to join a group. But the next step is of cource to start thinking on their own future.

Yes. Some idols have been very candid about using kpop as a stepping stone for better opportunities in the future like acting, having their own solo gig, being an entertainer etc.

Idol music is not very much respected by the gp and I bet a lot of idols want to transition from that to something else more established. Unless you are from a big well known idol group that garners respect from everyone, staying as an idol singer for life seems bleak

youtube is their best bet after idol life. you don't have to be super big to make a decent living over there

Only if they are not talented enough to go solo right away.

Some do as Groups can be seen as a stepping stone to a Solo Career in either Music or the Entertainment Industry, of course, it depends on the financial success of the group.

If a GG is at the money earning of TWICE then there is no need for Solo Careers in their first 7 years, after that, members get old so doing the choreo for some of their earlier songs doesn't suit them, that means they will get Solo work. Of course a financial giant killer BP has had Solo careers but the group doesn't have many comebacks so there was plenty of time to have them.

On the other hand, even a financially successful BG will move toward Solo Careers due to the nature of Military Enlistment which will break apart a group.

Quote from 0ppar

no, they debut with the intention of transitioning into acting or variety

I recall reading an Article where it was easier to get into Television through being an Idol than getting a Diploma or similar for Acting, then applying

Quote from paradis

My faves waited a decade to go solo and have tried to complete their military service in the shortest possible time ever known for a Kpop group with such a huge age gap, all so that they can be back as a group...so nope not applicable to Bangtan Sonyeondan.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I remember BTS doing solo activities around 2016-2017 but stopped when the group started to get bigger. 2025 and onwards will be interesting because they will be doing group and solo activities.

Rarely any idols get big as soloists, I don't think many have that dream, they just want to be in a group.

Not as soloist singers, that's a very difficult path

Maybe for something like acting

I follow a lot of solo artists, a decent amount of them are from disbanded groups / no longer active groups or companies so I feel like I can't help but see both sides of a lot of these comments. Of the idols I did follow previously surprisingly completely left the entertainment and internet industries completely, one's youtube hasn't been updated in over a year, but he has commented time to time that he's doing okay and focusing on other things.

One of the bigger idols I follow are B.I and Kang Daniel, both have their own companies and enough promotion to fans and the General Public and are most of the time well respected. But it's also hard to run your own company a lot of the time, even more so as it gains artists.

However sometimes if an artist gets to debut in a group they get more promotions, and chances to meet fans either in Korea, Japan or overseas and establish a fanbase for themselves first. And if they want to, + have the talents and stuff to go solo they probably would.

There was a former idol's video interview I did watch and I'll link it if I can remember, but there's always ups and downs to both, and I think I remember them agreeing even if the company is small its hard to have a good reputation and appeal to the GP.

Like others have mentioned, when they intend to get into acting.

In many cases the company will put the idol in the group for exposure.

there's nothing wrong with that though

especially for female idols - I've said it before that whether one likes it or not GG have an expiry date

and thus one needs to branch out and do one's own thing if one still wants a career in kpop or the greater entertainment industry

in terms of idols ending their careers are active group promotions - well that cause we only hear about the top groups and the ones that went into acting or soloist or whatever whilst there are thousands of others (from unsuccessful/nugu groups) who go back to being a "commoner"

They join idol group in preparation for their future career

I personally love when idols branch into solo careers together with their group career. It adds a lot to the group, but I do think that some idols can't wait for 7 years to be up (or even before) to just have solo career.

I think there was this one girl in some survival show (hybe I think) who kinda said this publicly and she never made it to the group

Quote from sonemariam

Wow! I guess, if it's what you aim at, you can't make it public. You just have to quietly work towards achieving it.

It is like when you apply for job, they ask you if you are team worker and you have to say yes or else

Quote from sonemariam

This makes me think of Yoona. Her solo career started before her Snsd career and she just kept building it to where she is today. Not even SNSD got in her way. But you can also tell that she loves SNSD so much.

I was just comparing the situation between some members of SNSD and Twice in my other thread...

and even for groups with members that did all renew I'm sure that they continued to undertake a lot solo activities in addition to group ones

Quote from sonemariam

One thing I know is that solo careers give idols longevity. When the group is no longer that active and relevant coz their fans have grown and more responsibilities that limit their stan time, successful solo careers is what keeps them afloat and bankable for a long run.

yeap and unless they've earned a shit ton of money like Sunny (during her time as SNSD) and can basically retire they still need money and a career etc etc

Quote from paradis

Sorry but I am not aware of any solo endorsements or official solo debuts in that period so...Have BTS ever mentioned starting their solo activities in that period and halting it due to group success?

There was no official solo debut when it comes to music but in 2016-2017 Tae made his acting debut that time and RM was one of popular member that time because he was appearing on shows and doing solo activities. Jimin also went to several variety shows as well but starting 2018, BTS focused on group activities.

Quote from sonemariam

True. Many idols don't make much in their groups so they have to promote solo to make some money.

Kpop labels are really the best at ripping off idols of their money.

which is why I've always said I'm an advocate of transparency

I don't care if you as a kpop company make the most unfair contract but as long as they disclose it to the potential idols and provide monthly statements etc etc that way the idol knows exactly what they are getting into if they choose to sign teh contract

Quote from sonemariam

Isn't that the time when both Jimin and V released singles? I remember loving Serendility, it's the only song of theirs I still listen to.

Jimin and V didn't any release singles that time but V did released an OST because he was part of the kdrama Hwarang. Serendipity was sang by Jimin alone by it was a b-side for a BTS album.

Quote from sonemariam

I still can't believe that idols sign such shitty contracts. It must be because the contracts have hidden terms that idols don't see until they are signed.

and to me that would be deceptive and "unfair"