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Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

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Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#21

Post by mikrl »

PuppyTailWags wrote: post #8

Question about not getting involved with politics in your fandom: how does this apply to pop stars like Lizzo, Lady Gaga, Lil Nas X, Nicki Minaj? They all have huge, highly fervent fandoms too. And they're pretty darn political all the time.

I’ve liked Azealia Banks for ages even through her politically incorrect meltdowns and her music just keeps getting better.

A zoomer I was at a party with recently said “yaaa she’s good but like sooo controversial” in a hushed and nervous way like we were in high school and about to go smoke a cigarette.

Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#22

Post by jenny91 »

ziml77 wrote: post #9

Is any of this much different from pop boy bands of the 00's? You make generic, catchy songs that are hard to resist. Then have a group of four or five attractive teens perform the song. And then Highlight each individual so people form a parasocial relationship with the band members. The fanaticism follows quite easily from there.

It seems the K-pop industry has come up with a somewhat repeatable machine for churning out these bands: they manage everything from scouting young talent and training them, writing the songs, merch, events, etc?

Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#23

Post by bitwize »

PuppyTailWags wrote: post #8

Question about not getting involved with politics in your fandom: how does this apply to pop stars like Lizzo, Lady Gaga, Lil Nas X, Nicki Minaj? They all have huge, highly fervent fandoms too. And they're pretty darn political all the time.

Maybe those artists are willing to leave money/fans on the table in order to do what is right?

Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#24

Post by justin_oaks »

citizenkeen wrote: post #18
oarsinsync wrote: post #10

> But activism on unrelated issues, even important ones, puts up barriers for no good reason. It’s interesting framing. Some might view this as pure to your values, some might view this as lacking in values, but it certainly got my attention. Reducing this quote down, the claim is “activism on unrelated important issues has no value [to your business].”

And yet the post also suggests members of the company should talk as individuals, not as the company. Which is… a tough row to hoe.

Indeed. Even if those company members aren't outspoken on political matters, people will dig up their politics. Consider the case of Brendan Eich.

Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#25

Post by googlryas »

jenny91 wrote: post #22
ziml77 wrote: post #9

Is any of this much different from pop boy bands of the 00's? You make generic, catchy songs that are hard to resist. Then have a group of four or five attractive teens perform the song. And then Highlight each individual so people form a parasocial relationship with the band members. The fanaticism follows quite easily from there.

It seems the K-pop industry has come up with a somewhat repeatable machine for churning out these bands: they manage everything from scouting young talent and training them, writing the songs, merch, events, etc?

That's pretty much what every boy band creator does since nkotb in 1984.

The truth is 16 year old boys don't get together with 4 friends and make music like this. So you need someone in the industry to bring talent together, write their songs, etc. Compare that with rock, rap, punk, emo, etc which happens more organically usually.

Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#26

Post by PuppyTailWags »

zmgsabst wrote: post #11
PuppyTailWags wrote: post #8

Question about not getting involved with politics in your fandom: how does this apply to pop stars like Lizzo, Lady Gaga, Lil Nas X, Nicki Minaj? They all have huge, highly fervent fandoms too. And they're pretty darn political all the time.

Question: are those fandoms larger or smaller than without the politics? I don’t know that I’ve seen good numbers on that.

I don't know, is my confusion. It just strikes me as weird, rhetorically, to claim that avoiding politics is one of the key strategies to gain a fandom when equally fervent fandoms have been built on explicitly political pop stars. I don't understand how to put these two together.

Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#27

Post by googlryas »

kevin_thibedeau wrote: post #20
ziml77 wrote: post #9

Is any of this much different from pop boy bands of the 00's? You make generic, catchy songs that are hard to resist. Then have a group of four or five attractive teens perform the song. And then Highlight each individual so people form a parasocial relationship with the band members. The fanaticism follows quite easily from there.

The key with East Asian group bands is a revolving lineup of members so you always have a fresh product to sell to each years target demographic.

Menudo did it first!

Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#28

Post by carabiner »

thaumasiotes wrote: post #15
carabiner wrote: post #2

Real reason for K-pop success: hire the best Swedish pop songwriters in the world and give them carte blanche to create any crazy songs they want. Same with Korean car companies and hiring the best German and Italian designers. Start with money, import talent, then cut them loose.

You know, the best Swedish pop songwriters in the world could probably do a really good job on the musical accompaniment to a K-pop song, but they're likely to be among the worst possible people to write the song . Any three-year-old Korean kid would be a better choice.

Nope, they're doing just fine writing for BTS etc.: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/26/arts/music/sweden-kpop-bt...

Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#29

Post by carabiner »

andrekandre wrote: post #17
carabiner wrote: post #2

Real reason for K-pop success: hire the best Swedish pop songwriters in the world and give them carte blanche to create any crazy songs they want. Same with Korean car companies and hiring the best German and Italian designers. Start with money, import talent, then cut them loose.

wow, i never heard that! any interesting articles/videos about that?

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/26/arts/music/sweden-kpop-bt...

Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#30

Post by UmbertoNoEco »

googlryas wrote: post #27
kevin_thibedeau wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The key with East Asian group bands is a revolving lineup of members so you always have a fresh product to sell to each years target demographic.

Menudo did it first!

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