Why do we like K-pop or any type of manufactured pop for that matter? (1 Viewer)

[spicy_illusion]

Other than the visuals, talent, choreographies, comebacks, etc.

Groups are put together in the hopes they can gel together and are not formed by friendship/family, like they do with bands, etc.

So, when you are a trainee and you are not friends with another trainee, yet get put into a group with each other anyway, then that group has a good chance of failing, unless they can find a way to become friends and gel together.

But this has got me thinking which I had never really thought about before until the recent scandals going on and you need to already be on good terms and already developed a strong friendship with another trainee before you are ready to go into a long term group with them.

It's just like at work, you may or may not get on with your colleagues and you could have some friction between each other and that will obviously make it difficult to work with each other and it's much harder when you are actually trapped in a contract.

Anyway, of course we all have our own reasons for liking or loving K-pop and that is fine, but it does get you thinking why people love it so much when the groups that are formed may not even like each other to begin with.

It also goes for the trainees vs the staff too as the trainee may not get on with the staff even though they still have to work with them.

I would like to hear your thoughts.

 

[Willow]

Music comes first to me though

 

[spicy_illusion]

Music comes first to me though

Yes but wouldn't you want the people behind the music to be passionate with their group members because they are already good friends with each other?

 

[Willow]

Yes but wouldn't you want the people behind the music to be passionate with their group members because they are already good friends with each other?

Yeah that would be better

 

[VillageIdiot]

ifans look at idol groups like they're friends or siblings. We empathize with them 24/7 and some feel an actual bond to them. It doesn't matter how well idol B sings or dances, she HAS to be interesting and she HAS to have friends living out Hallmark fantasies. idol b's group has to be this perfect family that we can live vicariously through and get cozy feels from. We have to know about them and they should be friends with Idol C bc they seem like they'd get along well.


Maybe it's bc western artists overshare so much. I think this is why groups oversell their bond so much

 

[blueberries]

I don't think the strangers part is the issue, as idols usually train long time together before debuting. Many of them form close relationships as they have literally growed up together. But I think what brings issues between the members even during trainee process is the competitiviness. Not everyone is going to make it. Is this person valued above you? Why, are they even more talented than you? Why doesn't this person work as hard as I do? Why this person has more fans than I do? I think it's very easy to get jealous and competitive towards the other members cause that is the system. Although you are in same team.. you are still competiting over lines, screentime, opportunities, fans, who gets best styling..

In terms of why plp like kpop groups above sth that was created more naturally.. i think it's the level of production. Sound, visuals, skill.. it can be hard to compete with sth that is made to perfection- but still doesn't feel disgenuine.

 

[Evergreen]

I think that all the groups that I stan at least all get along with each other and are at least work buddies but I don’t expect them to be all a second family or best friends.

Music comes first but it’s true that after music and talents, I care the most about personality and group interactions.
I don’t really care about visuals, I am more a personality stan but I don’t put idols on a pedestal. I know that they are human and that some people can wear a mask very well.

 

[eclipsoul]

in all honesty, to me there are no other reasons than what you mentioned in the first sentence. i wouldn't support a group whose music i find unlistenable just because they're good friends (if someone does that then good for them i guess, but it's just something i personally wouldn't do). of course it's better for the members themselves when they genuinely like each other, but as long as they're respectful towards each other, it's not a necessity for me. even groups who seem to be very close based on what we see might actually not be that close behind the scenes because in the end we don't know these idols personally.

 

[raymondchouku]

Honestly, like @Lady_Camellia I like the music and only really watch the mv and/or performances once (unless its Ailee) and usually listen to the songs without visual stimuli. Secondly, some of the best band have had friends, yes [insert countless 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s classic bands], however you run the risk of losing friends as fame and interpersonal relationships do not mix well... Losing an acquaintance you have been in a k-group with since 18 is not really a big deal, while losing a friend you've known for years, because of conflicts regarding nature of the music, pride, money disputes, and other factors would suck. Also, k-pop is unique in that (in the west) Rihanna could collab with Adele, and while the two are strangers perhaps rihanna who is (hypothetically) a fan of Adele has built a proxy friendship (via the music) with Adele and vice versa. While in K-Pop the groups form together and debut at the same time.

But I think what brings issues between the members even during trainee process is the competitiviness. Not everyone is going to make it. Is this person valued above you?

To be honest here, this is compounded by the fact that Korean culture places a high importance on status and social mobility.

 

[Willow]

Honestly, like @Lady_Camellia I like the music and only really watch the mv and/or performances once (unless its Ailee) and usually listen to the songs without visual stimuli. Secondly, some of the best band have had friends, yes [insert countless 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s classic bands], however you run the risk of losing friends as fame and interpersonal relationships do not mix well... Losing an acquaintance you have been in a k-group with since 18 is not really a big deal, while losing a friend you've known for years, because of conflicts regarding nature of the music, pride, money disputes, and other factors would suck. Also, k-pop is unique in that (in the west) Rihanna could collab with Adele, and while the two are strangers perhaps rihanna who is (hypothetically) a fan of Adele has built a proxy friendship (via the music) with Adele and vice versa. While in K-Pop the groups form together and debut at the same time.


To be honest here, this is compounded by the fact that Korean culture places a high importance on status and social mobility.

You are absolutely right

 

[igloo]

the reason i'll still listen to songs from artists who aren't all about passion and expression and integrity
is that even in situations like these, there are still people out there trying
primarily, the producers
not to mention that people can still create great music while only trying to further their career
but i will agree that i'm not a big fan of how manufactured pop music is in general, i think that's a byproduct of our society
when everything is made to be about money and profit it's inevitable that companies will attempt to take advantage of any market
but again
it's really just the sonic identity of the songs that keeps me listening
there's a reason i don't like to stan or get into that side of the culture
because it's a largely ingenuine parasocial relationship to use that buzzword

 

[dark_tranquility]

It just resonates with me on an emotional level besides the great dance, moves, videos and sexy concept/approach.
Pop music to me is better when its done as a fusion genre, like with rock or metal or rap.

by itself it's kind of one dimensional imo.

 

[raymondchouku]

there's a reason i don't like to stan or get into that side of the culture
because it's a largely ingenuine parasocial relationship to use that buzzword

that's true.. Also there's this cult like fandom going on too.. With other music you can actually say you "stan" them without really going that deep.. In k-pop it seems you have to start by going to aminoapps and finding out negligible details about the idols in a group, then watch the group's reality show (if they have one), and then running man and knowing bros and then performances... and then maybe the word stan can be applied... People put so much time into it before they say they're a stan.. Its exhausting thinking about it. Its so much easier just using that time to listen to music...

 

[Ahsoka]

Emotional bonds don't sound like anything, music does.

 

[Drew_B]

Being a kpop idol is no different from working at McDonald's.

You put in an application and are hired for a job. And you will constantly fight and argue with your co workers cause most humans cant get along.

 

[jasque]

For me they are simply the modern version of myths.

It's difficult to just not be attracted to all of it.

Also I just love gossip lol

 

[yeji]

music is all I care for