What Makes an Idol Group?
WRITTEN BY CHARMANDER ON JANUARY 25, 2014

News just came out that YG is debuting another girl and boy group but will the fact that they’re from YG make them instantaneously popular? What made the top idol groups as popular as they are now? Was it the looks? The sound? The style? The fact that they come from big companies? A combination of all of them? What makes a group popular? Let’s break it down.

The Company:

Let’s set one thing straight. Debuting in one of the Big Three will give any idol group the edge when it comes to a fan base. Fans instantaneously flock to the new group when news comes out that their “oppa’s” or “unni’s” company is making a new band. The idea that these new rookies had some sort of interaction with them definitely appeals to the fans.

There’s no doubt that when a group from a big company debuts gets a bigger fan base because they are marketed as the “new _____.” Take 2NE1 for example. Their popularity rose instantly when they were introduced by YG as the “female Big Bang.” It sets the bar of expectation high for them. Who else doesn’t dream of there being another SHINee with more oppas to swoon over?

Think of all the hype that’s surrounding EXO. Why? Well, it’s SM that’s why. People are expecting the same sound and quality that they get from SHINee and Girl's Generation just because they’re from the same company. Let's face it. VIXX has a comparable sound quality and has been in the music industry longer, so why has EXO won music shows at least 20 times if they just debuted last year while VIXX just got their first win under their belt?

But being in a big company doesn’t ensure an instant hit. TRAX. Has anyone heard of them? Believe it or not, they are a band under SM as well. They are also much less know than some of the big name bands like Super Junior and Girl's Generation. They have talent, that’s undeniable. Take a listen at some of their songs. They even had SeoHyun star in one of their music videos, so why aren’t they getting as much attention?

The Look:

That just goes to show that the looks and how much appeal they have to the audience drive the fan base. It’s undeniable. K-Pop is extremely shallow and superficial. Do you really listen to it because of the music? I have countless guy friends that admit that they don’t listen to SNSD for their voices (in fact they actually find it annoying) but because there are nine really hot girls in that group.

These idols are a symbol of perfection. There is so much speculation of plastic surgery for all groups, girl and boy alike, because sometimes they look too perfect but that’s just what K-Pop is. They set the ideal of what beauty is in Korean society. They are more than just a voice and a dance but a face.

How many times have you picked a bias in a group simply because they were your favorite looking ones? I have to admit, I chose KiKwang and his face (plus his abs) way before finally settling down with HyunSeung’s random dorkiness.

The way the idol looks has so much impact on the fans. The fans look at the group before even giving their music a chance. Why else would T.O.P. have to shed all his fat before debuting? They needed him to fit the role of an idol before he could debut.

The Talent:

Now, K-Pop is shallow but it’s not that shallow. There are sparks of diamonds hidden among that plastic and artificial ocean. There are TaeYeon’s amazing vocal skills, Zelo’s super-human fast rapping, not to mention Zico’s genius lyrics.

The looks would get the group initial attention but the talent is what secures the fan base. SHINee is marketed for their looks but praised for their dancing skills, as is Infinite. TaeMin and Hoya have dancing skills that can outshine all the rest.

But here’s the thing, it has to come in the order of looks then talent. Without the looks, fans won’t give you the attention to listen. 2Bic anyone? They have to be one of my absolute favorite ballad groups but why aren’t they as popular as 2AM? They are two men who are slightly over the healthy weight recommended by a doctor. They don’t have “the look.”

Davichi, on the other hand, is an equally talented ballad duo but why are they much more popular? They are two skinny girls that are the epitome of Korean beauty. How many of you envy MinKyung’s doe eyes or HaeRi’s pure, white skin?

The Concept:

Without a marketable concept, the talent goes to waste. Big Star had undeniable talent in rapping and dancing but has been given criticism ever since their first teaser. In an interview, BraveBrothers marketed the group as “the next Big Bang.” 2NE1 debuted with the same concept but why was Big Star so controvercial?

They were accused of copying a style too similar to Big Bang’s. While 2NE1 was marketed as “the female Big Bang,” are they really the same? 2NE1 ventures more into the pop genre while Big Bang found their comfort zone in hip hop. Big Star’s debut song was much too similar to Big Bang’s for the fan’s liking.

A concept should be original that can attract the fans while allowing the group to make a name for themselves. Secret immediately got attention because while they had a similar style to the predictable K-Pop sound, their concept consisted for four girls who were not the typical Korean women. They were voluptuous and that caught the eyes of many international fans. It was original. No other group looked the same as them. They stood out among the skinny, underweight idols.

Now, if YG’s new girl group, Vega, and their boy group, Polaris, has all these factors, they will achieve automatic success? It’s likely but not certain. The biggest factor that plays in this is the hard work and dedication they put in it. These idols have packed schedules and are often over-worked, getting maybe 2-3 hours of sleep sometimes. These trainees need to step up their game and prove that they are a group worth looking at in the huge influx of rookie groups this year. Right now, I think it's too early to say.

What do you think SeoulMates? Will Vega and Polaris be a hit or miss?

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