How much freedom idol has depends on how new and popular they are + gender? (1 Viewer)

[blueberries]

I was thinking this, because there is quite large differences on how much freedom idols have. On extreme cases you don't have any say in your look and music, aren't allowed to have ur own phone and even leave dorms without permission. In other hand you might be able to use social media without it being monitored, be in charge of ur own music and concept (or at least play large part in choosing) and go where you want outside your schedule.

New groups: I feel like rookie groups and artist have least freedom. That's likely cause they don't have established fandom yet and there is lot of new eyes on them. They don't have loyalty of fandom yet and will lose trust quickly even over minor scandals. They haven't payed the investment pack to company either and thus company can lose a lot if something big happens and group loses core members or has to disband.

Older groups have large and loyal fanbase and media is usually less interested of them. They have also payed back to company in most cases (or if they haven't company probably thinks they never will). Company likely has debuted new groups that they are focusing on too so they don't care as much if this senior group gets into trouble.

Popular groups: Then there is popularity. Even if group is older, I feel like if it's really popular in many cases it will still have less freedom. It might be the flagship of the company so company still has lot to lose if it all goes down. So many idols of popular groups don't seem to be in control of their own social medias, they might just have group account or their own will be monitored and restricted to only promos. And they might still not have control over their music and songs either, at least what comes to titles as the company wants to be sure every cb is hit.

With less popular groups I feel like the company doesn't care as much as they don't have as much to lose and know that media's eyes won't be on them. Like i have this one group I used to be into where one of members went to jail over selling drugs and when he got out they released song. No media attention. Can't imagine they could have done that if they were even mid tier group at that point, media would chew them.

Gender: And sadly, it just seems like girl groups and artists are restricted and monitored more. They have usually less power over their own songs and concept even if they are older artists than male groups even in same company. And I feel like company makes them to take care of their image more too. Lot of scandals female artist have are more about attitude (not smiling, being rude or lazy), this is pretty rare with male idols. I don't remember anyone having scandal over any of these. So it seems like female idols are held higher standards by public which leads to company restricting their freedom more.


Thanks for joining my TED talk, please leave ur thoughts below

 

[eclipsoul]

as much as i hate the restrictions in kpop, you're probably right. many loona members talked about how bbc doesn't even let them post their own pictures

 

[blueberries]

as much as i hate the restrictions in kpop, you're probably right. many loona members talked about how bbc doesn't even let them post their own pictures

Restriction make sense, but that doesn't mean that it's right to put such strict restrictions i think the public should start realizing idols are normal humans so companies don't have to be so scared of them having phones, going outside etc.

 

[spicy_illusion]

I do have to agree with this! Although not for all groups, but most of them.
For gender, I agree with that too. I mean, some would say JYP treats his male idols much worse, which is kinda true but also not as groups like TWICE, ITZY, etc have immense pressures for getting into the right shape, overworked, sexualized by JYP himself, etc.