Volume 2 2010 Chapter 260: Scars Behind Beauty
“Well, the entire K-Pop industry is indeed huge and very profitable.
But that doesn’t mean being an idol is a good career .”
Yi Haoyan smiled and touched Enfei's little head, ruffling her hair.
This obvious display of affection drew protests from the others. Enfei patted him sheepishly, telling her boyfriend to stop being weird and continue talking.
Seeing this scene, Choi Sulli bit her lip unnaturally to suppress the sudden unhappiness in her heart.
“There are several issues that make idol careers difficult.
First, Hallyu is an export industry, and idols, as one of the products, must have export value. Simply put, if you want to make a lot of money, you must go overseas, but to make money overseas, you must first be popular enough in Korea.
Competition among local idols is fierce, and it is difficult to become popular . The glory of the Korean wave that you see only belongs to a very small number of people at the top of the pyramid who have won in China. The others are at the bottom of the pyramid, struggling silently in places that others cannot see.
Second, since it is an export product, it must meet the preferences of the overseas market, so idols basically have to learn foreign languages well, among which English , Japanese, and Chinese are the main languages. For this reason, you can see that Korean groups have begun to absorb overseas Koreans and foreigners, Chinese, Japanese, Southeast Asians, and even Indians, blacks, or whites in the future. This is to cater to the overseas market. So I ask you not to stop learning, at least learn foreign languages well.
Third, since it is cultural export, it is inevitably subject to restrictions.
After all, cultural products are not necessities or industrial products, and they can be easily replaced. People cannot live without food or clothes, but it does not matter if they do not listen to Korean songs or watch Korean TV dramas.
The United States, which is currently the most successful in cultural exports and has the strongest comprehensive strength, has also encountered different degrees of restrictions on cultural products in various countries. As a small country, it is inherently very risky for South Korea to choose cultural products as an export industry.
Cultural output is inherently matched with a country's national strength. As the only superpower, the United States is backed by the world's top technological, military, financial and ideological strengths. Of course, it can make money through cultural exports on a global scale.
Why does South Korea do this?
Cultural products are not like industrial products that have clear parameters and standards to distinguish good from bad, nor are they as indispensable as industrial products and agricultural products.
It can be used to make money, but its risk resistance is very poor and it is highly dependent on overseas markets.
Currently, the overseas markets for Hallyu Wave are mainly China and Japan. There are variables in the relations between these two countries and South Korea, and political risks will have a significant impact on Hallyu Wave.
As for the European and American markets, which are currently the focus of the Korean Wave, they do not restrict you now because the Korean Wave is still very weak and cannot threaten the local entertainment industry in Europe and the United States. When one day it touches the core , what will South Korea rely on to defend the Korean Wave?
Taking idols as an example, the same is true for actors and singers.
Now that the overseas market is doing well, everyone is investing money and resources in developing cultural products. In the future, when there are problems in the overseas market and incomes drop sharply, these people will be the first to suffer. They have given up their studies and wasted their youth. They can only sing, dance and act, but have no job opportunities to make money, and are completely unable to return to ordinary life.
These are the worst off.”
These words really made the girls dizzy. They felt like they were listening to a foreign language and felt it was so powerful.
Looking at everyone staring at each other in bewilderment, Yi Haoyan felt like he was talking to a cow.
"Ah! I told you to study harder! Otherwise, you won't understand something that affects your fate, what will you do?"
Seeing that everyone was being dissed, Quan Eun-bi, as a girlfriend, retorted unconvincedly, "Ah! Since you know we don't understand, can't you explain it in a simpler way?"
"Yes! Yes! Enfei is right!"
"You deliberately said these things so that we can't understand them. Maybe Oppa himself doesn't understand them in the first place?"
"That's right, they just diss us. That's so unfriendly!"
When a bunch of little girls saw Quan Enfei taking the lead in disrupting the situation, they quickly followed to cheer her on. If they were asked to take the lead, they would not have the courage to do so.
But isn’t it the real girlfriend who’s in the front?
This opportunity is rare.
"Ha~ you guys are really~"
Yi Haoyan held the table and shook his head. He was so angry that he laughed!
Although these girls are empty-headed, they are very perceptive! They can see that he will not do anything to Enfei.
This time, his weak spot was exposed.
"Okay, okay! I'll put it another way. If you don't understand this time, it's your fault~"
"Hahaha! Are you really giving in? Enfei is so awesome!"
"Yeah~ this is also a show of affection~"
"Hmm~ I think so~"
Seeing that the sharp-tongued academic master had backed down, the girls cheered and the atmosphere became cheerful and lively.
Seeing Quan Enfei become the center of the group. Cui Xueli felt a little uncomfortable. Xiao Xueqiu didn't think Quan Enfei was so outstanding or beautiful. She could get everyone's attention only because she was Yi Haoyan's girlfriend...
Not noticing Choi Jin-ri's abnormality, Yi Hao-yeon continued to explain.
“Idols are different from other K-pop stars.
Idols themselves are exported cultural products and are at the bottom of the exploitation pile.
What actors output is their works.
After filming TV series and movies, you can sell copies and copyrights.
What singers output is music. A good song can last for many years.
Variety shows are similar to TV dramas and their copyrights can be sold.
But what idols output is the idols themselves.
The management companies spend a lot of effort to train, cultivate and package idols, and they need to recoup their costs and make money within a limited time, so they will definitely squeeze them as much as possible. "
"But today's idol groups are also singers! They also make money from albums and music!"
Seulgi has an opinion. She is a staunch stage lover and believes that singing and dancing are the soul of an idol singer.
“Yeah, that’s right, idol groups also sing and dance, and release albums.
But only fans buy these albums, right?
If you are a true listener, you can just buy a song once, right? After all, what you appreciate is the music itself.
But are those fans who buy idols’ albums in droves really coming for the music?
If you just like the music, who would care about the idol’s private life?
Who cares about idols’ dynamics?
Who would buy idol merchandise?
Who would demand an idol’s figure and looks?
Why do idol management companies often release various singles, mini albums, and various versions of remake albums?
Can't we just release good music in a formal album?
Why do idols have to participate in various programs, music shows, radio shows, variety shows, interviews? What is the purpose of such frequent exposure? "
The series of questions left Jiang Seqi unable to answer.
"Wake up, Seulgi! What idols sell is their image, whether it's real or fake. As long as the fans like it, it's fine. You SM are the best at this!"
"Ah! Even though it's a compliment, it sounds weird. Are you really not making fun of us?"
Seulgi's silly complaint caused a burst of laughter, and also allowed Sulli to come out of her previous mood. She reintegrated into the group and became the little snowball that everyone loved.
"Ani! This is a compliment. SM defined Korean idols, this is the truth.
A perfect doll, this is SM's definition of a Korean idol.
As for the idol music you mentioned, it is a carrier and a means to attract fans to spend money.
If you like your idol, spend money on her!
How to spend it? Buy an album!
Is it still possible to give money directly to idols? Fans are willing to do so, but the company dare not accept it because it is against the law.
Music and stage are the main channels for idols to show their charm and also the battlefield for attracting fans. Of course, there are more platforms now, such as variety shows, radio stations, and film and television dramas.
AKB's Yasushi Akimoto has taken this fan culture to the extreme. In order to sell albums, he set up a mechanism called handshake meetings. In order to meet their idols, fans have to spend money to buy albums and draw handshake tickets. It doesn't matter whether they listen to the music or not, as long as they spend the money!
Even so, AKB still participated in the Red and White Songs Contest!
Why?
They have huge sales!
Is it true that other Japanese singers' music is not as good as AKB's?
Obviously not, AKB doesn't sell music! They sell all kinds of girls' personas.
Korean idols are essentially the same! ”
Everyone finally understood what was said.
"You mean, idols' music is just a tool to attract fans and make money?"
This question is very direct and sharp.
As expected of you, Choi Jin-ri.
