Agencies built around a single act - Discussion

    With SME 2.0s apathetic treatment of senior artists like Taeyeon back in news, there are discussions that Taeyeon should get out and create her own agency.

    This also matters because many 3rd gen idols like from Blackpink are taking the route. LLOUD, Blissoo etc.,


    There are pros and cons to both the Big company model and dedicated small studio model.


    The best case scenario seems to have a dedicated label, but backed by a big house with deep pockets.

    IU's EDAM backed by Kakao M, is the best example of that hybrid model,


    But Kakao does not seem to interfere with operations, whereas YGE/SME and of course HYBE with ADOR have proved that they are not big fans of independence.


    SISTAR Hyolyn and Kang Daniel, went totally independent, Konnect even signed up Yuju, Psy with P-Nation as well.

    But they don't seem to do any better than being under a large tent.


    So let's discuss, what have the various models and how well they have succeeded or failed.

    BP case is different, if YGE treated them better I think they would've stayed with them for quite some time as I do believe they match well, but they had no reason to renew with a company that wasn't even trying to give them some freedom or power to release music.

    Will they be bigger than when they were/would be in YGE? I don't think so, but they'll build solo fandoms strong enough to at least last more in the industry.

    So yeah, it's kinda hard to say idols from big4 would do better by themselves, but I think it's a good price to pay if the company isn't treating them right.

    Quote from monalisalove

    BP case is different, if YGE treated them better I think they would've stayed with them for quite some time as I do believe they match well, but they had no reason to renew with a company that wasn't even trying to give them some freedom or power to release music.

    Will they be bigger than when they were/would be in YGE? I don't think so, but they'll build solo fandoms strong enough to at least last more in the industry.

    So yeah, it's kinda hard to say idols from big4 would do better by themselves, but I think it's a good price to pay if the company isn't treating them right.

    Obviously nobody would move/change, if the current agency is treating them well and giving them bandwidth.


    But what are the pros and cons, of the one-artist dependent boutique agencies?

    What has been their track record in Kpop?


    They don't need to bigger than Big 4, but just profitable and successful enough for the single artist and staff.

    Quote from bbgc

    But what are the pros and cons, of the one-artist dependent boutique agencies?

    What has been their track record in Kpop?


    They don't need to bigger than Big 4, but just profitable and successful enough for the single artist and stafff

    I think the biggest pro is creative freedom. At the end of the day, I think these artists that want to leave their companies are in it for the art of singing and releasing songs. But the big companies often clip their wings.


    Another pro is the return in money. Brand deals, payments from shows and etc. goes to the idol and staff handling it directly rather than a CEO getting a cut.


    Of course the biggest con is money. These artists have a limited pool of money and if they flop or don't get a hit, they lose money.


    Another con is getting black listed. I don't know Daniel Kang, but I encountered a few articles where he has been black listed by associations.

    They have creative freedom, but that is restricted by the fact that they are now responsible for the salaries of the staff.

    Supposing they want to take a 6 month - year break, what happens to the staff? Do they look for other jobs, then the setup is bust etc.,


    The artist must have the resources/ability to still employ the staff during such periods.


    I think IU in 2016 negotiated with both Loen/Kakao and also her team, to stay on, even though she was taking the year as hiatus from music. Kept them on payroll/retainer somehow etc.,


    And profit difference may not be much, when supporting DEDICATED staff entirely from earnings, vs. getting cuts taken out from the earnings by the big company. But again depends on the company, artists and contracts.


    Think Kang Daniel had some conflict with his backers and the company collapsed.

    Uhm, I can't say much as I don't remember idols who succeeded in their one artist agency... But I think BP case will be interesting to follow.

    Quote from CaraFIMIE

    Their case is already predictable.

    No such thing. It will look all rosy at the start, but anyone who has run a business will know, it is a bitch. No matter how popular the person is, being responsible for the payroll of a staff, is only less stressful than being a parent.

    Quote from monalisalove

    How? Good or bad news? :meme-sobbing:

    Depends on how you see it.


    If you wanna be a pessimist like bbgc, here then ig its a bad thing.


    But I think it depends tbh. I'm going to reference a thread that was made either sometime this week or last:


    BLACKPINK has a very loyal fandom who supports each member equally in their solo endeavors so as far as they have fandom backing them and are willing to support them to the death, then I doubt their companies will be anything but successful even if no other artist signs/debuts with them.

    Quote from bbgc

    No such thing. It will look all rosy at the start, but anyone who has run a business will know, it is a bitch. No matter how popular the person is, being responsible for the payroll of a staff, is only less stressful than being a parent.

    I'm pretty sure each member has a net worth of $5 mil or higher. If they are that rich then the staff's payroll will not be a problem as far as business stays open and there's a means to replenish their funds.

    Quote from CaraFIMIE

    I'm pretty sure each member has a net worth of $5 mil or higher. If they are that rich then the staff's payroll will not be a problem as far as business stays open and there's a means to replenish their funds.

    I wish them and staff all success, but greater business houses worth billions have gone bust, so never take such things for granted or as Kpop fans say "set them up for failure"


    Doing music is vastly different from running a business. Not everybody can do both.

    I think they'll have a solo fb strong enough to keep their company in good profit and if they do focus on their music career I see them doing extremely well world tours in arenas and even in stadiums in Asia for some.

    Jisoo is the one I think will focus more in acting which if she chooses good works then she'll be extremely profitable.

    Fashion wise they do great so yeah, let's be positive.

    Quote from CaraFIMIE

    Your name should be Negative Nancy, not bbgc

    Meh..


    So overall you don't have anything analytical or valuable to add to the discussion, but ooh BP will shoot rainbows when they sing and every employee will get a pot of gold...

    Even Disney does not buy such things these days.


    I know AKP has some teens, but this is the stuff of Children's books.

    Quote from monalisalove

    I think they'll have a solo fb strong enough to keep their company in good profit and if they do focus on their music career I see them doing extremely well world tours in arenas and even in stadiums in Asia for some.

    Jisoo is the one I think will focus more in acting which if she chooses good works then she'll be extremely profitable.

    Fashion wise they do great so yeah, let's be positive.

    Very few ex-group solo careers have done well, once their groups are defunct.


    One Direction - Harry Styles, where are the others?

    Destiny's Child - Beyonce

    SNSD - Taeyeon, Yoona more in acting.


    Do you think BP or BTS will be an exception? At best 1 or 2 will have a powerful solo career.

    Jisoo made a smarter decision, acting gives a more stable and longer career.

    More the group is the past, less the traction will be.


    Fashion also is young people's game. Though it is still more age-proof than Dance-singing.


    In any case, this thread is not about whether BP will succeed, but whether the solo-agency-model is better for success than Shared-Big-agency.

    Ops, I went off topic, sorry.

    So success wise is shared-big-agency. It's really really rare for the solo-agency-model to succeed more.

    Meh..


    So overall, the only thing that comes out of your mouth is shit, but ooh keep living in your delusional dreamland where you're right and everybody else is beneath you...

    Even a toddler doesn't spew such nonsense.


    I know AKP has some delusional people, but this is peak delulu emanating from you.


    It's all rosy at the start, yes but not all businesses fail. And my point still stands regardless of your nonsensical remarks: as far as BP has a loyal fandom behind them that is willing to provide support, then they will be fine


    Whatever happens, will happen and it will be clueless of you to assume that the members themselves are the ones that are heading their entire company. Business advisors exist for a reason.

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