FUCK IT! Yet another article of mine allkpop was too scared to post.
5. English Stage Names:
With f(x) being SM's first girl group designed to appeal to the West this made them the first girl group to have all English stage names. There were groups before who had English names but not an entire group. SM wanted to market these girls to a Western fanbase from day one and what better way then to give them easy to remember names such as Krystal, Amber, and Victoria? You can clearly see the inspiration in the names Jennie, Lisa, and Rose.
4. More Foreign Members than Locals:
f(x) was the first kpop group to have more members from abroad then from home. With Krystal and Amber born in California and Victoria born in China you could see how ahead of the times SM was. He knew in order to get people on board with this new group he needed members that fans from the target area could relate to. You want to blow up in America? Why not hire two Americans?? BlackPink doesn't have an Americans but they do have two foreigners and Jennie Austrialian accent is so strong people think she is actually from Austrailia. The English speaking ability of BlackPink is a clear reminder of what their goal as a group was.
3. Invitations to America:
The popularity of f(x) was so strong that in 2013 they became the first ever kpop group invited to the legendary SXSW music festival. A venue that has seen dozens of kpop acts perform at since. The same year the girls did a famous cross over with Hollywood star Anna Kendrick titled "Anna Kendrick Goes Kpop" where the star becomes an actual member of f(x). This hilarious skit was a lot of peoples introduction to kpop and further indicates f(x) reach into the American market. BlackPink followed in these footsteps with concerts and festivals and other high profile Hollywood team ups.
2. Krystal aka the original Jennie:
Although Krystal never reached the same level as Jennie (it was a different time) she was a standout star who was hugely popular in Korea and all over the world. She was also praised nonstop for her unique beauty that drove both guys and girls crazy. She had more fanboys and more fangirls than any idol before or since. Every guy had her as his ideal type and every girl had her image as their phone background. She also got to Kai first. If that isn't paving the way then I don't know what is lol. Like Jennie she was a big model and CF star. These days she is a successful actress. A path that Jennie may want to look into after her time with BlackPink.
1. Girl Crush Pioneers:
Along with 2NE1 f(x) was the start of a new kind of girl group. Girls with a little bit of attitude. Rebellious, stylish, funky yet cute. Songs that went a little harder than your average cute concept girl group who was the norm up until that time. This hard edged concept is what the West gravitates to more than any other and f(x) was a true stand out. These girl crush groups took style and fashion to a whole new level and now BlackPink carries on that tradition that has pretty much dominated girl groups for the last five years. BlackPink can thank their label mates and f(x) for opening that door for them.
What do you think of my list? Did I leave anything off? Does BlackPink remind you of f(x) during second gen?
