Volume 2 2010 Chapter 204: How Small Companies Survive
"Generally speaking, that's right."
SM's current top female trainee, Jiang Seulgi, has a lot to say about this issue: "This is the basic skill of an idol, and it is also the skill that requires the longest practice. When we practice the basic skills, we are required to keep our breath steady while dancing. This is a slow and steady process. Big companies are very strict about this."
“But it also depends on the difficulty of the dance.”
Bae Joo-hyun added: "The seniors of Girls' Generation did not use hand mics in their debut performance 'The World We Meet Again'. It's not that they couldn't. But the choreography of that dance was difficult and exciting. Using hand mics would affect the performance, so the company finally chose ear mics."
"Yeah, that dance was really intense. I've also seen the sisters perform with their microphones on. They were able to sing very steadily despite that intense dance. They're really strong."
Yi Haoyan nodded repeatedly: "But not all girl groups have this ability, right? Didn't the Wonder Girls get criticized for their singing skills at the beginning?"
"We're not sure about other companies, but the requirements for trainees at the three major companies are very high. At least after the silencing incident, everyone has tightened their requirements in this regard. Small companies may be a little worse, right? But I'm not sure." Seulgi added.
“Hmm~~”
Yi Haoyan pondered for a while, looking at the two excellent SM trainees: "I don't think so.
The trainees of small companies may have less resources and talent, but I think the requirements for singing skills of small companies will be stricter than those of the big three!"
???What?
Bae Joo Hyun and Kang Seul Gi looked at each other. Although they didn't agree with the boy's opinion, what he said was always reasonable, so they chose to listen patiently.
"There are many kinds of small companies, but one thing is clear: Compared with large companies, they all have a hard time surviving."
Yi Haoyan pointed at the two beauties and said, "Small companies have insufficient resources and funds, so it's hard to attract talented trainees. Even if they find them, they can't keep them. Without a building, teachers, or solid media resources and platforms, they can't buy high-quality songs, shoot gorgeous MVs, or have money to promote their songs on TV stations. How can a small company survive without music sources and sales?"
The two SM A-level trainees had never thought about this question carefully. Jiang Seulgi scratched her head and answered uncertainly: "Maybe? Commercial performance?"
"Well, commercial performances are indeed a way to make money. But there is a problem? Why do the sponsors of commercial performances choose artists from small companies?"
"Cheap?"
Bae Joo-hyun also made wild guesses.
This is indeed a part they have never been exposed to before. Apart from working hard to improve their basic skills as artists, the trainees rarely consider other aspects.
"Haha! You get what you pay for. Even cheap things cost money. Sponsors hire artists just to make the event popular, lively, and have good publicity. But why can a small company group that is unknown, doesn't have a large fan base, and doesn't often perform on stage still get commercial performances?"
Yi Haoyan continued to ask questions, guiding the two innocent trainees who were out of touch with the world to slowly get to the heart of the matter.
"Ah!! I know!"
Jiang Seulgi, like a poor student who suddenly thought of the correct answer, excitedly said, "Some live performances are very explicit. Girl groups from big companies won't do them, but small companies will take them."
"Ah! Kang Seulgi!"
This bombshell statement immediately caused Miss Pei Zhuxuan to sanction: "Is it very explicit? How explicit? Have you seen it? Ah! Seulgi! Where on earth did you know this?"
Xiong Seqi realized that she had said something wrong and turned pale. She could only smile foolishly to deal with her sister's questioning.
" Girl groups that perform like that are usually very explicit, don't have their own songs, and can't make albums. They're really just commercial performance groups, and they can't be considered true idol groups."
Yi Haoyan smiled as he watched senior Seqi being taught a lesson by the junior girl, feeling gloating.
"Ah! You've seen it too? You know it so clearly, you must have really seen it, right?"
The little sister who was berating her sister turned around and glared at the boy who was enjoying himself.
The boy who was struck by lightning due to his complacency avoided Sister Zhuxuan's gaze awkwardly and quickly changed the subject.
"Even though regular girl groups from small companies may perform a little more explicit in order to attract topics and attention, it's not to the point where Seulgi can't bear to watch. After all, they do this to gather popularity, and releasing songs and albums is the right way. If they want to become bigger and stronger, they must conform to mainstream values. If they are too explicit, they won't last long."
"Then what do you think it relies on?" Seqi didn't dare to make any more random guesses.
"With excellent business ability and service attitude, and of course reasonable prices. However, ability and attitude are the survival key for girl groups from small companies."
Yi Haoyan put forward his own views.
“No matter how good your business skills are, can you be better than the idols of big companies?”
Pei Zhuxuan was a little bit unconvinced.
"Professional ability and talent are two different things. Small companies don't have that many talented trainees to choose from, so they can only rely on hard work and self-discipline to make up for it. Therefore, girl groups from small companies work harder on body management and basic skills, which is their capital for survival. Without the resources of big companies, they can't go on music stages and variety shows, so they can only gather popularity by showing basic skills in commercial performances. After all, this is something that is obvious at a glance. Sponsors and audiences will not choose unknown groups with out-of-shape bodies and poor singing and dancing skills."
"It seems so."
Pei Zhuxuan nodded: "SM's seniors usually pay attention to managing their body shape during the promotion period, and take it easy during the rest period. Those small companies who make a living by performing in commercials probably don't have a rest period, right? It's also very hard to keep managing your body shape all the time!"
“So don’t underestimate the girl groups from small companies! They are not necessarily less capable than you, they just may not meet the standards of big companies.” Yi Haoyan signaled the two SM A-level trainees with his eyes: “It would be ridiculous if you guys are not as popular as the girl groups from small companies after your debut!”
"Ah! What's that look on your face! We don't look down on others!"
Xiong Seqi was irritated by the boy's teasing eyes and couldn't help but retort: "And as long as we debut, we will work hard to develop well! Don't underestimate us SM!"
"Oh, you're very loyal to the company! Are you going to be a director in the future, Seulgi-sama?"
"None of your business!"
Seeing that the two childish guys were about to quarrel again, Pei Zhuxuan's heart moved and asked, "Which new girl group do you care so much about? From a small company?"
Yes! I was almost fooled by him!
Kang Seul-gi also came around. Who is this girl group that makes him care about their singing skills?
Being stared at by two beauties is still very stressful, especially when one of them is a "divine beauty". Although the other one has a bit of a silly personality, she also has a strong aura when she has no expression.
Yi Haoyan unconsciously lowered his head by three points : "I don't really care, I just think the strength and style are both okay."
"What's your name?"
"Which company?"
The two women pressed forward step by step.
"Hmm... a four-member girl group that just debuted a while ago. The company seems to be STARSHIP."
The boy scratched his head: "The name of the group is quite catchy, what is it called..."
"Ah! I remember now! Their name is Sistar!"
