K-Pop 202 : Diving Deeper

A couple months ago, I posted “K-pop 101: An Introduction” to provide basic context, vocabulary, etc. about k-pop as it exists right now. This time, I’m getting deeper into in than the basics, and more into the larger k-pop system and world. Just like last time, I use the phrase “k-pop” but this applies to Korean bands who operate in the same musical ecosystem.

Music Shows

Music shows in South Korea are weekly shows where groups go to promote their latest comeback (new music a group or singer has just released). The groups or singers go on a perform their latest single live, and each week a different song wins, based on a combination of sales, social media buzz, fan votes, and their live performances. Everyone participates in these programs, regardless of how big or small they are.  Getting your first win on one of these shows is a big deal for a group, as it’s kind of a marker you’ve made it to the big leagues. There are about half a dozen of these shows, each with their own scoring system and rules, the most well-known of which is Mnet Countdown.  

Variety Shows

Just like in the US, celebrities go on late night talk shows to promote their latest work, such as a movie or a new album. For k-pop groups there are a number of variety shows that groups will go on, which have a combination of the group answering fan questions and playing silly games, usually with the prize being food. The one I’m most familiar with is After School Club, which is geared towards the international, and English-speaking, audience. Also, Eric Nam, an American-Korean k-pop star I love, used to be a host on After School Club early in his career, and it’s where he became friends with BTS, long before they were famous. As a fan of both Eric Nam and BTS I’ve watched my fair share of videos with both of them.

The Labels

K-pop labels are the dominant force in the industry. The labels train performers, decide who will be in a given group, and promote them to the public at large. The labels also often have disturbing levels of control over performers, from being able to forbid all dating by the members to having final say on their hair color. In the worst cases, labels have forced female kpop artists to get plastic surgery and have had contracts so exploitative they were literally known as “slave contracts.” In the best cases, they support their artists creating, producing, and composing their own music, fairly compensate them, and support their artists during difficult times. K-pop music has been largely dominated by 3 major labels: YG, SM, and JYP. However, there are many smaller labels that abound, and one, BigHit (BTS’ label, now known as Hybe) turned the Big 3 into the Big 4.

Because of their visibility, you can end up a fan of specific labels because you love a number of their artists, or because of how they treat their performers. Personally, I love RBW (Rainbow Bridge World) both because they are the label of ONEUS and ONEWE, and because they cross-pollinate their artists in each other’s works. This cross-pollination is even part of the label’s brand, as fans often refer to the groups as the RBW Family. Also, Xion of ONEUS and Dongmyeong of ONEWE are twin brothers, making their two groups literal as well as metaphorical brothers.

Training to Debut

After an artist gets signed, or is trying to get signed, to a label, there is an entire process they go through before they begin releasing music officially.

Step 1: Training
Most kpop musicians go through a period of training, before officially releasing their first official music. The training system involves training in singing, dancing, and dealing with the media and social media. Trainees live together during the process and continue to go to school during the day. This process can go on for years, especially for groups, as trainees come and go, as new people are scouted and other quit or are cut before the label decides on the final line up for a group. Sometimes an artist is a trainee for multiple labels before ending up in a specific label and group. Ravn and Leedo or ONEUS, for example, were trainees (and friends) at YG before they moved to RBW. Some aspects of the training for a group, either the selection process or parts of the actual training process, will be part of a reality TV show.

Step 2: Pre-Debut
These are the promotions and, in some cases, the release of a single before the group or artist’s official debut. The pre-debut period is a way to generate excitement and fans of a group before they officially launch.

Step 3: The Debut
The debut is the formal launch of a kpop singer or group. The debut will involve the release of either a single or an EP, but not usually an album, and their first appearance on the music shows. The debut date is considered a group’s birthday or anniversary, and groups will often provide special content for their fans to mark the date over the years.

Military Service

This one only affects male k-pop artists. All South Korean men have to enlist in the military before they turn 28 and serve for around two years, depending on the specific terms of where they serve their enlistment. This creates an awkward problem for male Korean groups because at some point the members will have to leave for two years. Different groups handle this differently. Some continue as best they can while some members are in the military. Some use it as a time to focus on solo works from artists. Taemin, for example, did a lot of solo work outside being in the group SHINee, while his bandmates were doing their military service (he’s going into the military this year). Other groups, like Big Bang, time things so that all the members join the military at roughly the same time, effectively creating a 2-year group hiatus.

No male k-pop star or group is immune to this, including BTS. The Korean government changed the laws in late 2020 to specifically give the eldest members of BTS (and just BTS) two more years before they have to join the military late last fall (otherwise Kim Seokjin and Min Yoongi would be in the military right now), but they still aren’t exempt from the draft unless the law changes yet again.