I am just wondering what you fine denizens of AKP think on this. I won't name any specific examples, but I think yes. Lip syncing is kind of just something you have to deal with when following kpop but in recent times it just feels like it's getting so lazy. Like idols aren't even trying anymore to keep the illusion that they aren't lip syncing. Do you think this is the case or has it just always been bad and I didn't notice?
Is lip syncing getting worse in kpop?
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I don't follow enough kpop groups to comment on this but I noticed that more and more companies try to grab attention with stopping the music of a live performance and pretending like it was a mistake which was overcame by the idols improvising and singing acapella. 😁
I don't mind it to be honest. Wanted to note it anyways. It's a little bit risky because netizens tend to see it as a dirty trick and thus tend to make scandal out of it. 😅
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Back in the old days of the mid-00s, I recall a group having their careers finished for having been caught lip syncing. It has slowly become more accepted, and in some ways that is to be expected. With choreographies as intense as they are, you can't really be expected to sing while dancing that hard, even if there are ways to mitigate this by changing choreographies for the singer. And of course over a performance lip synching is going to happen because people need to catch their breath.
It doesn't excuse lip synching while sitting down for an entire performance, but that is partly because of the fans' expectations of perfect singing (according to some people anyway). You don't want to risk sounding bad even for a moment.
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Back in the old days of the mid-00s, I recall a group having their careers finished for having been caught lip syncing. It has slowly become more accepted, and in some ways that is to be expected. With choreographies as intense as they are, you can't really be expected to sing while dancing that hard, even if there are ways to mitigate this by changing choreographies for the singer. And of course over a performance lip synching is going to happen because people need to catch their breath.
It doesn't excuse lip synching while sitting down for an entire performance, but that is partly because of the fans' expectations of perfect singing (according to some people anyway). You don't want to risk sounding bad even for a moment.
My issue isn't even necessarily with lip syncing itself but more so the acceptance and the actual skill of it I guess. If they are going to lip sync during a demanding performance that's fine, but at least put effort into the illusion that you aren't. It is what it is, but it's just kind of jarring when you see them pull away before even finishing lines. I may jsut be nitpicking a bit.
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Only for mainstream groups.
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My issue isn't even necessarily with lip syncing itself but more so the acceptance and the actual skill of it I guess. If they are going to lip sync during a demanding performance that's fine, but at least put effort into the illusion that you aren't. It is what it is, but it's just kind of jarring when you see them pull away before even finishing lines. I may jsut be nitpicking a bit.
It does look pretty bad I can't lie since you kind of just focus on how they can't match what they say
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I think it is. I don't mind lip-syncing if you can sing. Sometimes vocals need rest and with intense choreo, it becomes difficult. Idols are humans and everyone has their off days.
My dislike is that they aren't owning up to it. Or, they can't sing while standing, or if the choreo isn't as hard and they're still struggling. I feel like a lot of Kpop these days are 60-80% dancing and the other 10% talking/rapping the same words and 10% singing. Then again, I'm a theatre fan where a lot of people sing live.
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Famous quote "Lipsync is also a genre" was claimed 10 years ago,
so it doesn't seem like a recent development to me
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Lip syncing is something we just deal with period. It's not just Kpop. The difference is Kpop fans are given infinitely more televised content to dissect. And I guess western artists are just better at it. Yes, granted, it has gotten worse, but I'm actually not that bothered by it when it comes to Music Shows, which is I think where its the most glaringly obvious. As somene who works in the film industry, these shoots can be long and brutal, and from what I understand, the idols wake up super early, and film for hours over and over again. We're definitely not going to be getting their best vocals. Anything in the US that is filmed like that will be lip synced. I mean, 4 of the most world renowned classical musicians "lip (hand) synced" at one of Obama's inagurations, not to mention the Super Bowls.
I do think concerts is where I would call it unacceptable to not at least sing most of it live though, which to be fair, at least all the Kpop groups I follow do. -
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I am just wondering what you fine denizens of AKP think on this. I won't name any specific examples, but I think yes. Lip syncing is kind of just something you have to deal with when following kpop but in recent times it just feels like it's getting so lazy. Like idols aren't even trying anymore to keep the illusion that they aren't lip syncing. Do you think this is the case or has it just always been bad and I didn't notice?
Some groups need it tbh.
There are those with harder choreographies so in order to deliver a more smooth experience, I think lip syncing can be utilized.
But I'd love to see less lip syncing tbh because there this thing kpop fans do that they mistake using back track for not singing live and that's a problem. If there is a lesser occurrence of lip syncing, fans would be able to properly recognize when an idol is using back track (which there's nothing wrong with).
Not sure if that made sense but wtv.
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I think it's getting worse in the sense that technology is much better now. you have live autotune and a lot of groups pre record "live" vocals to make it seem they are singing live. I hate it when there are no live vocals, at that point you're just watching a dance crew.
I miss vocal mistakes tbh and not everyone having perfect pitch all the time. The gold standard now seems to be "stability" not emotion or character.
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Yes it is
Shinee sang live almost every single time until maybe 2016
But currently they also lypsinc more often
But when an idol puts up a good performance I don’t mind if it is a lypsinc but I always prefer live singing
I'd say most SM groups lip sync (mostly on music shows) and in that case I don't really care cuz I know their vocals will eat down once they do get a chance to sing live.
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I think it’s getting worse! I mean it’s evident in the lack of vocal talent in K-pop nowadays! Now vocals aren’t as important as visuals so groups lipsync and rather focus on making the prettiest faces when performing.
I understand dancing and singing can be quite tiring especially during music shows under the bright lights etc but I think there’s little excuse when groups are just standing or at concerts where people come to actually hear them live
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Most Hybe groups lypsinc on music shows too
I think only Boynextdoor sings live on music shows
That is true but, in their defense, most of them have really hard choreos so its either they are full-on lip syncing or they have back track on.
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I personally don’t mind lip sync in music shows as long as they sing live eventually but I will admit I was disappointed aespa didn’t sing live for Mama awards
I feel like with SM they’re so focused on sounding perfect but when there’s stages that demand more than the usual they don’t risk live singing which is frustrating
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Some groups need it tbh.
There are those with harder choreographies so in order to deliver a more smooth experience, I think lip syncing can be utilized.
But I'd love to see less lip syncing tbh because there this thing kpop fans do that they mistake using back track for not singing live and that's a problem. If there is a lesser occurrence of lip syncing, fans would be able to properly recognize when an idol is using back track (which there's nothing wrong with).
Not sure if that made sense but wtv.
Yea I generally agree with this. I do wish there was less lip syncing as well, but I understand why it's necessary sometimes. But as I said in another reply, one thing I get annoyed by is when it's very painfully obvious that idols are lip syncing. It just feels like maybe the acceptance of lip syncing over time has led to idols and the entire industry being a bit more lax about letting it show. It may jsut be a bit nitpicky on my end.
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Wait, they didn't??
I feel like with SM they’re so focused on sounding perfect but when there’s stages that demand more than the usual they don’t risk live singing which is frustrating
Honestly, I only care about live singing during concerts and MAYBE award shows.
Concerts because actual fans are paying to see you perform.
Award shows depends for me because I know some groups focus on delivering a more captivating performance and leaving a better impression on their general audience (through dancing and stage presence mostly) so i understand why they wouldn't want to take a chance with vocals in the case that something goes wrong.
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But as I said in another reply, one thing I get annoyed by is when it's very painfully obvious that idols are lip syncing. It just feels like maybe the acceptance of lip syncing over time has led to idols and the entire industry being a bit more lax about letting it show.
It's annoying for me when the lip syncing is painfully obvious but they still try so hard to hide it.
But yeah you're right. Some idols truly are more lax about letting it show. Overall it just depends for me.
If an idol is lip syncing and still manages to deliver a mid dance performance with horrible stage presence I will get pissed off. But if they lip sync and absolutely gag the audience with their dance performance skills then I don't mind.
Although i will still appreciate a good [live] vocal showcase even if it does not include any choreo.
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Wait, they didn't??
Honestly, I only care about live singing during concerts and MAYBE award shows.
Concerts because actual fans are paying to see you perform.
Award shows depends for me because I know some groups focus on delivering a more captivating performance and leaving a better impression on their general audience (through dancing and stage presence mostly) so i understand why they wouldn't want to take a chance with vocals in the case that something goes wrong.
Not for Mama 2024 they sang some parts live but it wasn’t fully live like KGMA! It’s frustrating cause they sing so well live
Yeah I think performances and visuals are more important for companies compared to previous gens!
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It's annoying for me when the lip syncing is painfully obvious but they still try so hard to hide it.
But yeah you're right. Some idols truly are more lax about letting it show. Overall it just depends for me.
If an idol is lip syncing and still manages to deliver a mid dance performance with horrible stage presence I will get pissed off. But if they lip sync and absolutely gag the audience with their dance performance skills then I don't mind.
Although i will still appreciate a good [live] vocal showcase even if it does not include any choreo.
Yea I agree as long as the overall performance is good, which is typically the case, I don't mind. It's just more jarring than anything, I ain't losing any sleep over it though. Just curious what others thought.
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Not for Mama 2024 they sang some parts live but it wasn’t fully live like KGMA! It’s frustrating cause they sing so well live
Oh, I see.
Yeah I think performances and visuals are more important for companies compared to previous gens!
Yeah sadly. Although I think the companies and the toxic kpop fans share the blame.
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Yeah totally.
It is getting worse but my hope is that it starts to occur less in the near future.
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Yes it's been like this for years. Only a select few groups still sing live and even they spend most of their time lip syncing too. This is why idols can't sing at all because there not used to singing live and getting practice out of it. Encores these days look more like idols are being held hostage at gun point to sing live.
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People don't even know, or should i say remember, how live vocals sounds like. They've gotten used to being lied and deceived by kpop companies and they go with it. Users on this forum also cannot tell what's live and what's not and want to brag about their faves perfect live singing. And when you point out that those were not live vocals they accuse you of lying or being jealous.
Yes, it can't get worse.
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Yes it's been like this for years. Only a select few groups still sing live and even they spend most of their time lip syncing too. This is why idols can't sing at all because there not used to singing live and getting practice out of it. Encores these days look more like idols are being held hostage at gun point to sing live.
It's actually hilarious how many controversies encores have created lol. Idols can't sing well by only standing but previously they sounded perfect while doing hard choreos
there's a reason people wait for encores, they want to hear actual live singing. -
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Lip sync has been basically standard place since 3G. Music shows are synced, special events like awards or gayos, groups have mediocre vocals as a result since they can rely on lip sync to save them. Encores being studied is a a thing because groups have been exposed for their true vocal abilties.
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Most Hybe groups lypsinc on music shows too
I think only Boynextdoor sings live on music shows
Funnily enough JYP groups don't lipsync quite as much despite not being known for their vocals at all.
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What I hate is that a lot of groups are not even making effort to pretend they are singing anymore. They barely opening their mouth during a high note, closing it way before their line ends or just not even mouthing the words correctly. If you going to lipsync at least do it right.
My other pet peeve is when there is an acoustic or band performance of a song and it was originally live but they over edit it to the point it sounds super weird and not even close to what a real live performance would've. The obsession with perfectly edited vocals is ruining kpop, rather they do some mistakes or go off pitch a couple of times instead of these overly auto tuned "live" performances.
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