Why is it hard to have a very successful solo career?

not everyone can become a soloist, it seems like an easy thing but it's not, in a group its easy because you mostly just have one job, but as a soloist you have to do everything, dance, sing, kind of rap, and have unique visuals that make you interesting as a performer. That's why a lot of soloists don't know what to do with their music and their concepts, their usually switching from concept to concept, like sunmi or chung ha. It's quite easy to get tired of a soloist and just hearing their voice, this is why I believe a lot of soloist that never rapped before have started to spit abc 123 rhymes, like sunmi and somi. What happened to singing a ballad? this is why taeyeon and IU paved the way for soloists. ALSO last point, soloist follow trends like nobody's business, like somi and sunmi's comeback had kind of the same styling, also rose's solo debut also had the whole plaid dark thingy going on, I think this is why a lot of soloist have a hard time being unique, also soloist barely ever have a solid fanbase, maybe IU is the only exception, but everyone else has to rely on the general public for success.

one of the key things in kpop is the interaction between the members...and obviously you don't get that with soloists...

whether it be shipping or any other interactions...

that I think is what makes certain groups work over soloists...with soloists you don't have that interaction between members...

Soloists have to be fairly good at everything to attract a large group of fans. There can't be any low points. Groups have specialists for those things.

Fans that like rapping, well if you want those fans you have to be decent at rapping and put it in your songs. Groups have a person specifically for that.

Fans that like dancing, well if you want those fans you have to be decent at dancing and put it in your songs. Groups have a person specifically for that.

Fans that like vocals, well if you want those fans you have to be decent at vocals and put it in your songs. Groups have a person specifically for that.

You get the idea. It's the same for visuals, personality, variety, etc. You're just one person and you have to do it all.

And what if you have an off day? It's not like you can step back and let someone else lead. It's just you.

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I agree but aren't there a lot of independent ballad singers? Ann One, Ali, Ben and more. Possibly to stand out from them.

> also soloist barely ever have a solid fanbase, maybe IU is the only exception, but everyone else has to rely on the general public for success.

oh yeah maybe I'm thinking of it from a kpop group aspect, where streaming is a big thing with fandoms. but then why is being a soloist so desirable?

probably because that's pretty much the only route kpop idols have after their groups disbands or their on a hiatus. Other option is to become a actor or actress, I MEAN there are so many past idols that are now popular actors, like GOT7's Jinyoung. There's not much options after you retire from the k-idol industry.

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Now that I think about it:

If you try to be an actor/actress --> usually aren't very good and netziens don't like it

If you try to be an musical actor ---> netziens don't like it

If you try to be an mc ----> netziens don't like it

Knetz don't like anything in this day and age, you blink and their gonna call you disrespectful.

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it's sad how few career prospects there are

yup. this is why I feel like being a kpop idol really isn't a stable job lol.

It takes more charisma and talent from the individual to make a good solo. Members in groups make up for what other ones lack in. Groups also provide a variety of personality and looks to appeal to more people while a solo will be more limited to how many people they appeal to.

I'd also say in kpop, personality is a big factor and you can see more sides to a personality through different relationship dynamics which groups provide

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It's like 10 minutes of glory and then fall fast and hard

yup, and then what's there to do after? everybody dreams of being famous but what will you do after you dropped out of school for your training and now your left in the dust. it's kind of depressing to be honest.

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that's horrifying, imagine the peak of your life being 15 and a kpop idol

it's terrible how these kids are practically taken advantage of, forced to work long hours and act like an adult when their all just kids that need to go to school and experience life as a normal teenager.

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I don't mean this in a bad way, but many of things kids are too young to be idols. Like...they're not good. For example, young Taemin was a terrible singer, and the lightsum youngest often run into the problem where they don't stand out, and many people think they should be left out. Also with Weekly's younger members but it's not as bad there. Enhypen got into many contreversies and Niki was bashed because he is honestly too young to debut.

I think anyone after 2004 should not debut now.

Didn't want Wonyoung to debut super early either and I don't like what JYP and YG are doing

companies debut young idols so that they can have longer careers, or just so that the company can milk them out of money and shape them into their perfect image, the more younger the better, and don't get me started on the sexualizations of minors in the industry. Parents really need to stop allowing their freaking children to sign long contracts with companies, its so screwed up.

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yeah but it's sad because they stand out in a bad way and people call them out for it.

Remember that Taemin didn't like school because people kept following him

yep. poor guy, I'm sure he loves being an idol now but it must have been rough for him when he was still in school.