Posts by bbgc
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You have been concerned about IU blocking the advancement of K-pop, but did not see YJS coming :)
If he keeps making special project teams, one an year and they keep dominating the charts, that would be quite some fun.
But you should be happy that he supports Laboum, your mythical 'giant or Senior Singer' killers, maybe he will do a special project with them.
Or maybe IUxYJS, doing an old style lyrical korean ballad, that would be the worst case, right?
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Well there is no sure way to say it and also 'international' is often mistaken as just the 'West'.
Broadly these are the blocks,
- West - Canada, US, W Europe, Aus and NZ
- China and Far East.
- SE Asia
- India and S.Asia
- Islamic sphere from Iran to Morrocco
- Africa
- Central/S.America
- Former Soviet sphere - E.Europe, Russia, Central Asia.
For any act to be called international, they should have decent public recognition and not just among Media/commentators, in at least 4 of the 8 blocks.
Rather an impossible feat.
Most popular kpop groups like EXO, would be known in #2 and #3. Not so much in the West-public
So the closest is indeed BTS - #1, #2, #3, general public appreciation.
Of course to those who follow, they are not unknown in other blocks, but that is only by a small percentage.
But I would say when it comes to Entertainment - Korea Kpop, is probably the most successful after the West, to have breached cultural barriers outside its own home ground.
And it has happened over time, to Japan, to China, to SE A, now to the West.
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But she could have released lilac as the only single instead of celebrity. I think it would have add the same success given lilac is a hit too. I feel lilac kind of got overshadowed by celebrity.
Lilac is more complex, and is more relevant to those who know her career, can get the references etc., whereas Celebrity is the general 'feel good about yourself' music.
Anyway we can only speculate.. think she mentioned that Coin was considered for the title track, but went with Lilac.
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Celebrity is like the weakest song on iu's latest album.
Best are lilac, coin, troll, empty cup and ah puh.
True, but I guess 'Celebrity' is a generic crowd pleaser kind of song and hence its success.
It would be interesting to know how artists/labels decide on the Title track, pre-release, B-sides, which get MVs etc.,
I am pretty sure artists like IU/companies, are looking at public preferences survey, even testing market before they decide that.
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Hypocrisy is to be expected with any big business, as in politics.
I don't know about performing in KSA, but another case is BTS donating to BLM movement, when racism/stereotyping is rife in Kpop industry.
As the most influential act in Kpop industry today, I wonder how much have they done to influence Kpop-Koreans to accept various skin colours, facial features and body shapes, that they donate to a 'Woke' movement outside their own society, outside their own industry.
But they are not unique, very few corporates and influencers, want to start reform at 'home', but flaunt - virtue signal about reforming others - society/nations etc. etc.
And they may not even know that, for such is the nature of fame, a parallel universe they exist in.
Hollywood folks do that.. as Ricky Gervais pointed out, if ISIS starts a studio or channel, the same actors who 'preach', will call their agents for a gig.
BLM was 'trending' in 2019/2020, so BTS leveraged it nicely.
Such is the nature of business and politics. Only the lack of hypocrisy can be praised, but presence is business as usual.
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Maybe if she does a vanity project throwing all her money and influence, by having big names producing/featuring etc.
But why should she even bother?
Kpop "GROUPS" is a relatively novel concept for the West, though attempted earlier, this time the concept of bunch of performers singing/dancing - unlike bands and custom trained to do so etc., is gaining some acceptance fronted by BTS.
But realistically this is not going to last long, mostly West will adopt the model and a percentage of the market for such performances and some Korean companies/acts will be involved in producing and profiting. NCT Hollywood is an indicator of that.
While IU is a soloist whose primary strength is in Ballads, Melodies. Sure she is a fantastic vocalist etc., but West has that in abundance. And her success is in the authenticity of her artistic expression, to which Koreans and to lesser extent Asians can relate to.
Lyrical/poetic depth, an relatable story behind the song, her own persona, all these are extremely difficult to transmit/translate across languages and cultures.
It is utterly unnecessary for her to compromise on the things that make her unique, just for an acknowledgement by the West. If it happens organically, like with global viral non-English hits like Gangnam Style, Kolaveri Di etc., fine.
But if you check that list - you will find only beats and bops dominate, because they are not based on melody or lyrical beauty of the language. You could sing utter rubbish as words and still get a hit.
IU is not that.
So I hope she does not bother about Billboard etc.,
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I think she's just a fan. Making a song thinking of a gg you aren't related to isn't media promo, it just means she's really into them. IU also made songs based on her friends like Sulli, so it must be something really special for her.
And OMG weren't some nugu group. twice, for example, were fangirling hard and supported their music during their debut years. They seem to have a large celeb following that promoted them, so IU being one of them isn't that shocking.
Oh sure she is a fan. But even if a fan, she knows the impact of such interactions and their amplifying effect.
So once or twice, fine. But this frequent, then it is OK to speculate if there is something more to it.
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This is not a healthy sign.
Even if left unstated, BTS would be a part of most submissions, this implies favoritism by a government and an imposition.
Though outside the country it is kind of ok, not within.
Governments are required to be equitable only to its own citizens and not others. But this indirectly does reinforce 7 citizens and their company over others.
They could have done something like one of the entries should from a K-pop group choreography, must have been a Top 5 song of the last 3 years on Korean charts etc., that would have narrowed down things pretty well.
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Feminism, is only possible because of
1. automation of most economic/war activity, which made the superior physical strength of men a non-factor for most activity.
2. advancements in medicine - reproductive control, better survival rates during pregnancy and child birth etc., which allow women not to be out of action during the prime age of their life.
But social values generally lag behind other changes and feminism was a good movement to prod society to catchup. It still is needed in some societies in some ways
However the recent Woke movement is casting as though men across history conspired across cultures/geographies - even 1000, 2000 years back, to oppress women and morally responsible - toxic masculinity etc.
And in many societies, it is going overboard with gynocentric laws, actually disfavouring men in many ways.
So there will be a backlash as well.
The problem with the 'left', is that they are very good in identifying issues in the society, but are bad in solving them, they tend to go overboard and cause more damage than cure. Feminism is reaching that point, where its benefits are negated by it cons.
It is focusing on foolish optical issues, rather than substantial issues of ordinary women.
And now, is actually suffering due to the new favorite of the wokes - LGBTQ+, having transgender former-men competing in women's sports, is a perfect example. Even feminists now can't speak up for women in such cases.
But anyway, that is the nature of society - pull and push,
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Giving recommendations without knowing the persons taste, is not very effective.
But personally I watched a bunch and then checking, found that the works of 2 particular PDs appealed the most to me,
I have watched most of them and they are available on Netflix.
Shin Won Ho
- Reply 1997 (2012, tvN)
- Reply 1994 (2013, tvN)
- Reply 1988 (2015–2016, tvN)
- Prison Playbook (2017, tvN)
- Hospital Playlist (2020–present, tvN)
Kim Won Seok
- Sungkyunkwan Scandal (KBS2, 2010)
- Monstar (Mnet, 2013)
- Misaeng (tvN, 2014)
- Signal (tvN, 2016)
- My Mister (tvN, 2018)
- Arthdal Chronicles (tvN, 2019)
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Well it is true of most companies nowadays, they hire models who are perfect - physically, ethically etc. etc. - so that nobody questions whether the company, its products, processes, profits are ethical or not.
People are supposed to look at the model and decide the company is good based on that.
So never mind that the company is a sewer of unethical exploitative or even illegal activity, the model has to be pristinely perfect, that is the expected hypocrisy.
And as to Kpop companies, well they groom such models - branding/image is what they sell.
Art- music is just an excuse.
They make far more money by selling the artist-image, than by selling songs, albums etc.
Unfortunately very few artists escape the trap and they enter it full knowing its nature, because if you hit the lottery of fame.. well.
Britney Spears is fighting her conservatorship, but she is an exception to be thus controlled in the West. Whereas with Kpop, basically every idol is under such "conservatorship" and discarded easily.
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Yet another bullying nonsense.
Bullying a very difficult thing to establish, unless there is physical hurt or evidence - otherwise it is all 'he said, she said' and Lia (or other celebrities) will be damaged more than the unknown victims, who stand to gain.
Even if true, the mistakes of teenagers are not reasons to cancel their careers. General Bullying is something which people can grow out of, as they mature, an apology and mature behavior should be enough.
It is increasingly looking to be like the American-Woke-Cancel culture - Witch hunt. People, including celebrities should have space to make some mistakes (not crimes) and evolve, without such harsh backlashes.
Even religious saints of many religions have not so-good pasts, and the expectation that teenagers in a consumer industry should have flawless past, is utter nonsense. Stifling.
Bullying is a social issue to be addressed at the appropriate age by parents and school authorities. It is not something to carry over and haunt people's reputation, when mostly they grow out of it.
I almost wish this allegation is true of Lia, she apologizes and JYP stands by her, kpop stands by her.
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Can we also give Oh My Girl some love in the thread
DUN DUN DANCE is doing amazing
External Content youtu.beContent embedded from external sources will not be displayed without your consent.Through the activation of external content, you agree that personal data may be transferred to third party platforms. We have provided more information on this in our privacy policy.Well they are getting 'love' from IU herself, rather frequently recently, that I am wondering what is the deal.
Not that I don't appreciate them. But many idols cover IU well, express admiration etc. but only a few get acknowledged by her.
OMG has been regularly getting her approval - back and forth covers - Dolphin, dlwlrma, IU's show, now Lilac cover on Music bank.
I thought EDAM/Kakao was taking over WM, but it was RBW will did.
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That happened for me with JDramas long ago but now I watch some.
I tried to watch some CDramas but the ones I watched were so bad, not because of the story but the actors were just plain bad, at first I thought it was intentional but after a while I realized they just couldn't act.
Maybe you can recommend some dramas. I watch mosty romcom and some mystery and crime
I enjoy Chinese historicals, they are fantastically made and have to say better than even K-drama historicals, because K-dramas often put other stuff like time travel, alternate history etc. and is highly stuck of rather uniform Joseon period, while China has far more real history with variety and complexity.
But C-dramas of contemporary society is horrible and as you mention, the acting, the script everything feels stilted and bad.
So I asked my Chinese colleague why this difference?
The answer was, "the Chinese government does not care much about historicals, which does not affect its own image. but any drama set in recent times, is scrutinized harshly with an eye whether it is critical in anyway of Chinese govt or society etc. so the creators are highly constricted and very careful, which cramps their style"
That makes sense to me.
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Absolutely. But also depends on the "problem".
For example, I think Koreans are going overboard with 'Bullying', yes it is a problem to be addressed in schools by teachers and parents.
But 'cancelling' people and their careers, for something like 'Bullying', when they were in their teens, is simply too extreme.
Teenage is a troublesome age for anybody, most will have their challenges and eventually grow out of it. That is why laws are gentler on teens as compared to adults.
'immaturity' is the norm.
So to punish adults based on such past misdemeanor is really toxic.
As to SYJ controlling her boyfriend, it is yet another nonsense. It is KJH who should be held accountable, as a mature adult he is responsible for his actions and is despicable to deflect it as being manipulated by another.
It is astonishing for me to see Koreans treating Teen mistakes as adult crimes and excusing an Adult mistake, as though it was an influenced teenagers.
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But there are other problems which can't be disregarded. I can't think of kdramas, but Kpop cases like Seungri - sexual abuse, physical abuse, financial scamming etc. generally these are legal crimes, these people do not deserve to be in the public eye, earning of their reputations.
Or maybe legal but immoral behaviour - like adultery, particularly by a woman destroying families.
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Otherwise I don't want to get involved in judging others - actors or anyone. Nowadays everything from their politics to brands they use has become a factor - exhausting. I just judge them by their work - whether I enjoy it or not.
Is it social media? that we have become so harsh in judging others over such insignificant things.
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Why is there any 'ban' on using BTS as a reference?
And I did ask whether it was specific to Korean music shows or a general observations.
The original post did not explicitly specify it is Chinese specific.
So given the lack of context, it is a valid question and reference.
But with the context - political issues affecting culture, is messy. After all Korea still holds the surplus in trade with China, so why not ask other Korean producers to stop exporting to the hostile country?
Personally I don't like China's bully politics, but I also know that it is difficult to disengage in trade and as much as possible individual Chinese and individual Koreans should be protected from collateral damage.
SM and other companies, can't ignore the massive market China is, you mention US - have you not seen every major enterprise from NBA teams to Hollywood studios "kowtowing" to China, so as not to lose the market.
It is the reality everyone has to deal with, however unpleasant.
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Now OMG covers Lilac in Music Bank, with a compilation choreo tribute to IU.
Sure many cover IU, but she reacts only to few and has already reacted to this one by OMG.
And OMG is not in any Kakao subsidiary, artistic camaraderie can only be so much.. anything else happening?
Seems IU and OMG interaction has been heavy recently.
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I was so shocked when i went back and started watching second gen stuff after getting into Kpop in 2019. I saw this, and then of course the IU - Taeyang love affair.
WTF happened to Korea between 2nd gen and 3rd gen?? Seriously. It seems both Knetz and I Roaches just went insane and traveled back to Victorian England. How can we go from this to idols now that cant even LOOK at each other without being harassed on both Korean and Western social media?
Social media happened - so far more scrutiny, obsessive fandoms, competition ramped up exponentially and increased commoditization.
And the image of 'pure, innocent, proper' is less risky and sells longer, than that of 'rebel, doesn't care etc.'
Any industry can only support a small number of token rebellious, set among the rest conformers.
