Vocals????

What is going on with vocals these days?

My theory is that people saw that fans would hype up many people who didn't sing properly if they had good pitch and sounded good, so that is why all these groups are coming, but this is crazy. SO MANY idols do not have basic vocal pedagogy or support techniques. I am so afraid for several of these idols that are going to struggle later on when their voices start to decline and won't do as well. And half these idols are minors? Even worse. IDK but I'm just really disappointed in how unhealthy many idols are. Yes this includes most of the new debuting groups, including ones I like.

What happened?

This isn't a hate or bashing thread. I am concerned for these idols, don't take my thread as such.

Quote from aespa-von

Yea most vocalists today are mediocre and very few are actually standout

No one in K-pop does what 2nd gen does anymore. The “stop-dancing-and-belt-the-hell-out” move that they do. Instead, they just continue to dance so that they wont be obligated to belt anyways. Most of Twice’s adlib belts are on 3rd choruses and are mostly just skipped at live performances.

I'd also argue that fans are more into dance performances than vocal performances if that makes sense. There's no like and no need. I wish them the best.

Quote from haesoovoiceship

I watched produce 101 season 2, while it's not enough to make any conclusion, it looks like nobody cares.

eh pd101 shows are usually meh because of the voting system, and the rumors swirling that ioi, wanna one, izone and x1 ALL had their main vocalists rigged in. Most of the time, the main vocalist is one of the least popular members . I can tell that people think there is no need for very strong vocalists but you need them, or at least help because so many are going to ruin their voice :((

Quote from Tic_tac_toe

It’s pop music sung mostly over a very loud backtrack I don’t think it’s that deep tbh. that’s why it’s easy to get away with mediocre singers.

right but thanks to fan hype you have a LOT of them straining to reach something they can't and shouldn't do. That's going to have some damage

Quote from haesoovoiceship

I was talking more of these challenges when they had to sing the chorus of a song, and how they miserably failed. Some are strong but lack of technique will ruin their voices in the long term, because they are pushing all the time.

And producers need to stop making male vocalist singing in the upper 4th to 5th octave if the group isn't capable.

EXO Just as usual is the proof you can make good songs without singing like chicks

ahhh I never watched that part of it. Let me go see.

Quote from PATHCODEXO

exo, mamamoo and red velvet are sucessful tho...

if we're about talking 4th gen then you have a point but stayc, purple kiss and aespa are popular for their vocals as well

actually I'm really worried for stayc.

stayc in particular, no one has strong support.

With their bang bang cover, I was super afraid for them

I don't think they were never trained, BUT they practiced a ton to get stable.

If they keep straining, they're going to decline a lot more. They put in the effort, but not really in the right place if that makes sense, they practiced on getting stable. Did their company help their vocals with a vocal trainer?

they're popular because they are stable and consistent but no good technique.

Purple Kiss is a different case: Goeun is a good vocalist but my bias Swan is quite stylistic and shouty at times, but she knows her limitations very well, so I think she can improve a lot. I wonder if she produces because she has a good stylistic ear, which causes others to overhype her. They know what they are doing.

Aespa are confusing. I cannot get a good enough gauge because they are not out for very long and they haven't sung too many times. They remind me a little of Weekly's strongest singers. Ningning is strong, but she does have some pitch issues. Winter is probably around Goeun-ish. Karina is actually a very strong singer, I'll rank her above Jihan. Can't do Giselle yet because she didn't sing in Knowing Bros. They're the strongest vocal line so far but I'm not sure of that.

Weekly are good singers, they have several weak members but a few stronger ones. Monday is really cool.

Pink Fantasy are really good but Yechan is a 95 liner so she's been around for a while.