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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

#51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If the behavior of 30-40 year olds are the only difference, and if they had social media back then, it’s highly likely that they might have.

The parasocial intensity is something else. Stans (who take their name from Eminem’s song “Stan”, where it wasn’t a positive association) get quite intense, to the point of breaking and entering private property, stalking and causing road accidents, writing messages in their blood, even poisoning them, and that’s just the “selected incidents” on Wikipedia. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasaeng_fan

No, stans don't get that intense, it's literally a tiny crazed subset - ie the Saesangs.

Every fandom of any type of a certain size has insane fans (looking at you sports teams and fans).

Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#52

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.

This was the old Japanese supergroup model with AKB48 etc, but it never worked outside Japan and is starting to fail there as well.

I was a Morning Musume fan in high school but the members of the group kept getting younger as they were replaced, and I kept getting older. After a while, it stopped making sense to be a fan. (They never did a song "I'm sad about only being able to contribute $20,500 per year to my 401(k)".)

I never got into AKB48; is that they problem they are having, or is it something else?

Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#53

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.

That advice from the article is kind of silly. BTS is definitely political. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/20/world/asia/bts-un-perform... But even though Asia has a lot of rappers, they’re not allowed to do anything interesting or illegal, and if you ever do drugs you’re instantly blacklisted and all your work is erased from stores forevermore.

I really don't think performing at the UN is a political gesture.

Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#54
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.

many (most?) kpop members are contractually required to adhere to the image built for them. There have been cases of a kpop member's storyline being around their love of someone and when the actor/actress is found to be cheating they lose the contract.

I know of one kpop member who attempted to keep their marriage a secret as a result.

Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#55
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.

This goes back at least to the Beatles.

Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I guess a corollary then is to make sure all your members don't have odious personal politics

Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

But they aren't. The headline of that very article (ok, the subhed) notes that they aren't capable of writing Korean songs and don't try. This is repeated in the text: > Carlebecker writes in English, and then Korean songwriters add new lyrics to her melodies

> Korean songs

I believe the correct term would be lyrics, not songs.

A song can have its lyrics translated/altered into an entirely different language and still carry the same weight. Many pop songwriters would argue that the lyrics are one of the least important components.

Non-anglophone countries are full of such songs based on English language originals. Though this musical localization seems have be have been more popular in the past, for multiple reasons.

Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#59

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.

[deleted]

Re: Build your fanbase using the K-pop method

#60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's no different to what has been happening in the music industry for decades. Many of the most popular pop songs are written by third parties and the recording companies will often pair artists with experienced producers and tour managers. The popularity of K-pop is more an artefact of the US mainstream favouring individual rap/hip-hop over dance-centric boy/girl bands and leaving a large opening in the market.

Quoted post unavailable.

it's just Japanese consumer don't prefer rap, and songs are generally made for domestic market (until now?)
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