RE: "Aespa Coachella performance could be their big break or career suicide for them in the west"

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Aespa Coachella performance could be their big break or career suicide for them in the west

thoughts?

OP

Apr 19th 2022

Disagree. Why does it have to be either extreme scenario? Why can't it be something in the middle? The more realistic scenario is that they get their name out there, gain a number of new fans, and call it a win.

Expecting either extreme scenario is unrealistic. Only K-pop fans put so much weight into a Coachella performance. No Coachella performance has made an act significantly more popular overnight.

There's this misconception that Coachella gave Blackpink their "big break" in the West. Not true. Blackpink already had momentum right before they did Coachella. Coachella was just one small chapter in their journey that year, but they would have done it with or without Coachella 2019. If anything, it was "DDU-DU DDU-DU" in 2018 that gave them their big break in the West.

Quote from Pearl-Iris

Its a big deal but kpop fans are really trying to make it seem like this is a do or die situation, they've just debuted there's plenty of time for them to rise. This is one of the many opportunities that comes to them. If they do well, good but if they don't, they can do better later.

Absolutely agree. It's a big deal because you have to be popular enough as a non-American artist, especially when you're one based in Asia, to be invited.

Yes, less known, indie American acts get invited, but that's because they have a small niche following in America and they caught the attention of the organizers somehow.

It takes a lot more for a non-American act to be invited, so obviously, aespa achieved something here.

But it really isn't the make-or-break situation K-pop fans are making it seem. It's just a performance for festival attendees to enjoy. It's not even broadcasted on primetime national television; it's not the Super Bowl halftime show.

What matters more is their music. If they release a song that goes viral in the West, that's their "big break." Not a single performance can do that or come close to being that important. Most music enthusiasts in the U.S. don't even care about performances; they just like catchy songs on the radio or TikTok. A lot of these popular American artists put up mediocre performances, but nobody cares as long as the songs are catchy.

There's also no such thing as music that's "suitable for a festival," by the way. Coachella has all sorts of genres. That's what it's about. You may associate it with young adults getting hyped, but more than that, it's a celebration and showcase of music.

If you want to talk about crowd, the Coachella crowd tends to be very open-minded. They're there to have a good time and vibe with the flow, whatever they get, not to be judgmental like K-pop fans often are.

Quote from nevermindmejin

OMG same.

I also hope SM won’t screw this opportunity up by being half ass about their preparations (flash back to aespa’s disappointing award stage). Please do your homework SM, and have aespa sing with a live band.

Honestly, this is one of the valid, reasonable concerns in my opinion.

While it's not the make-or-break situation many think Coachella is, I think aespa can accomplish so much more with live singing at this event. That's on SM to decide. If they don't sing live, it won't be the end of the world, but it'll be a huge missed opportunity!