What makes a person a kpop idol? (1 Viewer)

[chiefchilly1]

then my point is under that definition aren't all artists idols? since if the definition is idolize? idolize - admire, revere, or love greatly or excessively.
then every single artist has fans who idolize them no?

Yup thats totally true, only difference being Korea’s strict set of rules for kpop idols. They can’t be heard cursing, seen dating, drinking, smoking, have a strict diet, etc. but yes you can idolize anyone doesn’t have to be an artist or someone famous.

 

[chiefchilly1]

Also I wanted to say, idols to us clueless westerners is a weird concept to wrap our head around, but in Korea kpop idols mean a lot to a lot of young people. If you’re curious, check out these types of vids if you haven’t already (there’s a couple) where idols meet their fan’s parents. You’ll understand the role model concept better and why idols are called idols.

 

[Selfmate]

Also I wanted to say, idols to us clueless westerners is a weird concept to wrap our head around, but in Korea kpop idols mean a lot to a lot of young people. If you’re curious, check out these types of vids if you haven’t already (there’s a couple) where idols meet their fan’s parents. You’ll understand the role model concept better and why idols are called idols.

I've seen the one with Miyeon

 

[chiefchilly1]

I've seen the one with Miyeon

The STAYC members have ones that are more emotional

 

[Selfmate]

The STAYC members have ones that are more emotional

really? alas I'm not really a fan of stayc so... lol

 

[chiefchilly1]

really? alas I'm not really a fan of stayc so... lol

Oh lol no need to be a fan its the message that matters. STAYC girls are big crybabies, ISA shared a story of doubting herself and almost quitting while training so there’s that

 

[Selfmate]

Oh lol no need to be a fan its the message that matters. STAYC girls are big crybabies, ISA shared a story of doubting herself and almost quitting while training so there’s that

post it here mate and I'll give a watch if and when I can

 

[chiefchilly1]

well here’s both ISA (first one) and Sieun

 

[Selfmate]

well here’s both ISA (first one) and Sieun

cheers mate

 

[dest]

interesting then what's the difference between an artist and an idol then?
an artist has fans and fans idolize their artist so???

idolize - admire, revere, or love greatly or excessively.

and what is popularity? even nugu or lesser known idols have fans but they are still idols no? does it that imply then that even if a person has one fan then they are an idol?

an artist can be anyone, anyone who creates.

 

[Selfmate]

an artist can be anyone, anyone who creates.

so if an artist has fans who idolize them then does that make them an idol?

 

[Desdesdes]

I guess debuting is the defining thing.

But if you want to randomly find if a person is an idol or not, suddenly ask them to have a performance, either sing, dance or both.

This may be not an accurate way to find it, but I think, besides their debut, what makes an idol as an idol is their training.

From many reality and variety show that I watch, the thing that I noticed is an ex-idol (usually the old ones, or at least above their 40s) still even carries their training result, mainly dancing.

Watching The Game Caterer x Starship, there are both Idols and Actors/Actress. In the random dance game, all idols could easily copy at least 50% of the choreo they didn't know, whereas the Actors/Actress have a difficulty when copying a choreo.

You can also see the difference between Heechul and the other comedian cast in Knowing Bros.

But like I said, this might be not an accurate way because other person that are trained in dance could also do well if you suddenly ask them to perform. The example of this is Lee Youngji and Lee Eunji from Earth Arcade. Both of them are not an idol but they can still dance well and copying Yujin's and Mimi's move.

Also an idol trainee could also do that, even tho they are not officially debuted as an idol yet. (Even some ex-trainee still can do it, like some of the participants in the MBTI House)

So besides their ability to dance or sing, what are the other things that makes an idol?

For that my other answer would be their public speaking.

Idols usually interacts with a mass of people and I think, public speaking is also one of the thing that their company taught to them. They are also used to talking in front of camera.

I noticed this when I watch a behind the scene of 2521 filming, where the main casts are filming a fun vlog. At the end of the video, WJSN Bona fluently wrapping up the video and then actress Kim Taeri praised her with something like "so fluent.. as expected of an idol.."

Idols are interacting with camera and audience more frequent than actor/actress. Their fan meeting, fan con, vlogs and even their vlives, like they do it nearly everyday. Also they are interacting with their fans more, even if it's only a text-based one like bubble, twitter, weverse, etc. That's why they are used to talk to camera or many audience.

This is also the reason why idols usually having mc or a radio host as their second job.

So for your question, I think the answer is: things that they've learned, from their trainee days until they retire as an idol, which are performing and communicating.

 

[Selfmate]

I guess debuting is the defining thing.

But if you want to randomly find if a person is an idol or not, suddenly ask them to have a performance, either sing, dance or both.

This may be not an accurate way to find it, but I think, besides their debut, what makes an idol as an idol is their training.

From many reality and variety show that I watch, the thing that I noticed is an ex-idol (usually the old ones, or at least above their 40s) still even carries their training result, mainly dancing.

Watching The Game Caterer x Starship, there are both Idols and Actors/Actress. In the random dance game, all idols could easily copy at least 50% of the choreo they didn't know, whereas the Actors/Actress have a difficulty when copying a choreo.

You can also see the difference between Heechul and the other comedian cast in Knowing Bros.

But like I said, this might be not an accurate way because other person that are trained in dance could also do well if you suddenly ask them to perform. The example of this is Lee Youngji and Lee Eunji from Earth Arcade. Both of them are not an idol but they can still dance well and copying Yujin's and Mimi's move.

Also an idol trainee could also do that, even tho they are not officially debuted as an idol yet. (Even some ex-trainee still can do it, like some of the participants in the MBTI House)

So besides their ability to dance or sing, what are the other things that makes an idol?

For that my other answer would be their public speaking.

Idols usually interacts with a mass of people and I think, public speaking is also one of the thing that their company taught to them. They are also used to talking in front of camera.

I noticed this when I watch a behind the scene of 2521 filming, where the main casts are filming a fun vlog. At the end of the video, WJSN Bona fluently wrapping up the video and then actress Kim Taeri praised her with something like "so fluent.. as expected of an idol.."

Idols are interacting with camera and audience more frequent than actor/actress. Their fan meeting, fan con, vlogs and even their vlives, like they do it nearly everyday. Also they are interacting with their fans more, even if it's only a text-based one like bubble, twitter, weverse, etc. That's why they are used to talk to camera or many audience.

This is also the reason why idols usually having mc or a radio host as their second job.

So for your question, I think the answer is: things that they've learned, from their trainee days until they retire as an idol, which are performing and communicating.

interesting - what of the proposition that an idol is someone who has people who indolize them? and a kpop artist is someone who who sings korean pop?

 

[Desdesdes]

interesting - what of the proposition that an idol is someone who has people who indolize them? and a kpop artist is someone who who sings korean pop?

Oh right.

Actually besides the performance and communication, I almost add one other thing, "public image".

It's an image of what you showed to the public and what the public would perceived off.

But almost every job that needs to be on public have this, even us..

Actor/actress, ceo, politician, school chairman, singer, comedian, athlete, news anchor, etc. All of them had their own public image.

But maybe the thing that makes idol's are different is how hard it is for an idol to maintain their image.

I think idols had two images they need to maintain. The first is their persona, things that makes them different from at least in their own group. "Bright and cheerful", "cool", "cute", "savage", "innocent".

This is their image that they showed to the public. It is the main reason of why did people love and idolize them and why did people hate them.

Some love a cute idol, some find them cringe. Some love a cool idol, some find them boring or rigid. Some love a chaotic and hyperactive one, some find them really annoying and tired to see them.

This is also the reason why many kpop fans deemed that idols are fake.

It simply because they found out that some idol acts different on cam and off cam. But some fans also love this differences, like when a "cool" idol are actually a cute person off cam. Or when a "calm" idol are actually chaotic. Or when a "cute" idol are actually savage.

The second one is their "flawless being" image.

All other occupation above could be maintained well because they don't need to show up too much to the public. This will reduce the chance of their "mistake" to be seen by the public.

But idol can't do that.

They are nearly exposed to the camera or public's eye for 24/7. Mainly in this era where everyone bring their own mobile phone, which are having a camera built in it.

So, even if you tried to maintain a good image in front of the camera of the production crew, other cameras, which are from your own fans or even your haters, could still capture your "off cam" behaviour.

Some captured moments could be a good things, like helping other idols, some cute moment or just being a polite person to other would get you an additional praise.

But some could also ruin your image. Like not maintaining a good expression when you are with other idols. Or some haters could twist you off cam videos when you are actually just simply daydreaming on an award show, but they make it that you looks like bored with the performance.

This is also the thing that makes an idol tired or feel imprisoned. It's because they need to maintain it for 24/7. Because they could be recorded from any angle at anytime, both from media and from their sasaengs.

------------------------

The 'artist' in the kpop artist are indeed general. It could include a singer too.

Usually, an idol as a job would affect people or inspire them, a phrase like "I want to be like X". We also frequently see that an idol choosing to walk on this path because they love another idol. That's why kpop groups usually not just about the music, but the people in it.

But for a singer, you could become their fan because of their vocal/music alone.
You could be indifferent to their personalities or heck you could even pay zero attention to how do they look, because the thing that makes you love them is their music/vocal, not the person.

For me, Idolling is when you praise many thing about them, their music, their image, their way of thinking.

So, yes we could idolize a solo kpop singer, heck even a trot singer as long as we love their image.

 

[Selfmate]

Oh right.

Actually besides the performance and communication, I almost add one other thing, "public image".

It's an image of what you showed to the public and what the public would perceived off.

But almost every job that needs to be on public have this, even us..

Actor/actress, ceo, politician, school chairman, singer, comedian, athlete, news anchor, etc. All of them had their own public image.

But maybe the thing that makes idol's are different is how hard it is for an idol to maintain their image.

I think idols had two images they need to maintain. The first is their persona, things that makes them different from at least in their own group. "Bright and cheerful", "cool", "cute", "savage", "innocent".

This is their self image that they showed to the public. It is the main reason of why did people love and idolize them and why did people hate them.

Some love a cute idol, some find them cringe. Some love a cool idol, some find them boring or rigid. Some love a chaotic and hyperactive one, some find them really annoying and tired to see them.

This is also the reason why many kpop fans deemed that idols are fake.

It simply because they found out that some idol acts different on cam and off cam. But some fans also love this differences, like when a "cool" idol are actually a cute person off cam. Or when a "calm" idol are actually chaotic. Or when a "cute" idol are actually savage.

The second one us their "flawless being" image.

All other occupation above could be maintained well because they don't need to show up too much to the public. This will reduce the chance of their "mistake" to be seen by the public.

But idol can't do that.

They are nearly exposed to the camera or public's eye for 24/7. Mainly in this era where everyone bring their mobile phone, which are having a camera built in.

So, even if you tried to maintain a good image in front of the camera of the production crew, other cameras, which are from your own fans or even your haters, could still capture your "off cam" behaviour.

Some captured moments could be a good things, like helping other idols, some cute moment or just being a polite person to other would get you an additional praise.

But some could also ruin your image. Like not maintaining a good expression when you are with other idols. Or some haters could twist you off cam videos when you are actually just simply daydreaming on an award show, but they make it that you looks like bored with the performance.

This is also the thing that makes an idol tired or feel imprisoned. It's because they need to maintain it for 24/7. Because they could be recorded from any angle at anytime, both from media and from their sasaengs.

------------------------

The 'artist' in the kpop artist are indeed general. It could include a singer too.

Usually, an idol as a job would affect people or inspire them, a phrase like "I want to be like X". We also frequently see that an idol choosing to walk on this path because they love another idol. That's why kpop groups usually not just about the music, but the people in it.

But for a singer, you could become their fan because of their vocal/music alone.
You could be indifferent to their personalities or heck you could even pay zero attention to how do they look, because the thing that makes you love them is their music/vocal, not the person.

For me, Idolling is when you praise many thing about them, their music, their image, their way of thinking.

So, yes we could idolize a solo kpop singer, heck even a trot singer as long as we love their image.

interesting perspective my friend