Article: The reality behind 'show window idols' as seen through SECRET's discord

Source: Sunday News via Nate

Article talks about how there are a lot of idol groups that are just 'show window idols' or only friends with one another for business sake and their fans. 

Aside from SECRET, there are a few blind items like girl group A whose member B's rise in popularity has caused the rest of the members to have no schedules aside from official promotions. B has long since stopped being friends with her groupmates and reps say that their relationship is beyond the point of repair.

One rep said, "As for group A, B will shoot her album jacket picture separately from the rest of the members and photoshop her in. A's promotions are difficult because of that."

As for boy group C, the members seem close in public but they actually rarely contact each other outside of their schedules. They have good relationships with members from other groups in their agency but but struggle with coming together as a group due to personality clashes. 

Fortunately for C, just because they're not close doesn't mean there's discord. The members all agree that it's important that they maintain their group. They voluntarily call themselves 'business partners' and recognize that they need each other for business purposes.

C's rep said, "Not all co-workers can be close for simply working together. You're also not going to quit just because you don't have any close co-workers. Idol groups are the same in that even if they're not close, they work towards the same goal and smile for their fans because of that."

Girl group D is similar to C. The members are known for being the intimidating types and suffered rumors where a member was allegedly bullying another member. There hasn't been any problems on the surface however because they're quite professionals. 

D's members only meet during the group's official promos. They all have individual activities with solos, acting, and featurings so they don't really even have the time to take care of the other. Because they got so popular individually in a situation where they weren't even close, they don't act like they're close either. When group promos begin, however, they turn 180 degrees and act as close as ever, putting an end to all of the rumors of discord spread between their fans.

Another rep had to say, "It's important that a group synergizes. All of the members play a role in the maintenance of a group. If one leaves, the team breaks apart. Seeing senior teams break apart has made idol groups realize the importance of keeping it all together. Even if there is discord, they usually try to keep it out of the public's eye for the sake of the team."

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1. [+781, -67] Han Sunhwa's actress disease is causing distress to many;

2. [+587, -46] Shinhwa's truly an amazing group!

3. [+477, -31] I don't think Sunhwa's just simply an actress disease. I feel like that's just who she is as a person... circumstances didn't change her. It's just who she is.

4. [+65, -8] A is miss A, C is Super Junior, D is SISTAR

5. [+62, -3] A is totally miss A... C is Super Junior or EXO.. and D's obviously SISTAR

6. [+61, -5] I remember there was an article about how KARA sits separately in the plane and then they come out in promos acting all close to one another. It's all a business facade, guys.

7. [+53, -7] A is miss A, C is Big Bang, D is SISTAR

8. [+47, -18] Look at SNSD. They always talked about being sisters but they gang up as 8 and throw one out. This is why I don't like idols aside from Hani.

9. [+45, -4] EXO's always screaming about 'we are one!' on stage but they're all ready to leave as long as the money's better ㅋㅋㅋㅋ business group indeed

10. [+43, -8] This article reminds me of Sones always bragging about how their group is like a family whenever other groups had discord but then Jessica left ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

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