Industry rep interviewed on the trending sexy concepts
Article: An entertainment agency confesses, "Despite criticisms on skin exposure, the income is a hundred times better"
Source: No Cut News via Nate
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Rep: Hello?
Anchorwoman Kim Hyun Jung: You are currently running an agency, right? Does that mean you also manage idols?
Rep: I am not currently a manager but I am indeed working with idols. I have 17 years of experience in this field.
KHJ: Have you recently seen the music video of the girl group in question?
Rep: I have indeed.
KHJ: What are your thoughts on that?
Rep: I think that you have shown every inch of skin realistically possible. The industry is a war field at the moment and I feel that they went as far as they could to stand out in such a battle-like environment.
KHJ: You called the industry a field of war, right? Exactly what do you mean by that?
Rep: In on emonth, there are hundreds of rookie girl and boy groups that debut. Especially with the market now being all about digital singles, there are hundreds of teams promoting at the same time. Groups need something special to stand out in such an environment, and that leads to desperation for some.
KHJ: Among managers, do you all ever discuss about some groups taking it too far?
Rep: Of course. But we all realize it as the result of a harsh reality and the desperation to get the name of their artists known.
KHJ: So do you feel that sexy concepts definitely bring a quick response?
Rep: It's easy to obtain media attention/publicity.
KHJ: Would you consider noise marketing as a form of marketing?
Rep: Of course. It's easy to be picked up by the media and no matter what people say, good or bad, they're still talking about it and taking a look to see "just how bad it is".
KHJ: Then do you receive more broadcast invitations as a result of the noise marketing and media attention?
Rep: We do. It's easier for PR and broadcast companies will actually be the ones to search us up and invite us since our name is now known and out there.
KHJ: You do realize that once a sexy concept is caught by the media, there are a lot of hateful comments under that. As a member of the industry, do you consider that success?
Rep: There are some that do, but these idols are still young children themselves so they do end up getting hurt by the comments.
KHJ: But realistically, do these idols have any power to outright say, "I don't want to do this. I don't want to wear these fishnet stockings"?
Rep: Idols are a member of a team. The team must survive in order for themselves as an individual to survive. It's hard to have an opposing opinion in such a situation as that.
KHJ: I can understand that, especially since idols go through 2-3, even 5 years of training. One missed opportunity could change the fate of their group.
Rep: That's right. It's difficult for a team to pull through with a concept if one member isn't on board.
KHJ: How much money is required to raise one such idol group?
Rep: A lot. Astronomical, actually. From dorms to outfits, choreography, singing, concept planning... it's truly astronomical.
KHJ: Could you ballpark a number?
Rep: At the minimum, 200k~300k USD to 500k~700k at the most.
KHJ: This is just for a debut?
Rep: Yes. There's a lot of planning involved and that period alone has a lot of expenses.
KHJ: So even if they manage to come up with the expenses and actually debut, only one out of hundreds actually make it, which is why groups constantly go for sexier concepts with more skin showing.
Rep: It's all for survival. You need to catch the eye of the public. The mindset is, "Since that team is wearing fishnet stockings, we must wear fishnet stockings AND rip them. The next team is going to wear lingerie, then," and so on and so forth. None of us know, however, how far any of us will go in the end...
KHJ: As a CEO yourself, how do you feel about such a reality?
Rep: I'm a father of two daughters myself so I'm concerned about the commercialization of women and how they'll grow up to perceive these concepts. I'm also concerned about young children copying such concepts...
KHJ: Then as an industry expert, do you feel that such concepts have longevity? Are they for long term success?
Rep: I'm sure everyone's thinking the same thing... and it's that the concept will only last as long as you can continue to come up with a concept more provocative than the last, and there is only so much further you can go.
KHJ: So managers know that it's for the short term but they're desperate for instant attention so they do it anyway?
Rep: Yes, it's all for survival.
KHJ: You have a very negative view of the concept... I'm sure other people in the industry share your view but go with the concept anyway, right?
Rep: Yes. These groups take a lot of money and planning so we're all scared about debuting them and having them end up forgotten or never known. The seduction of the sexy concept is real.
KHJ: Then how much more do groups earn once they get their name known for a sexy concept?
Rep: The only income in the industry right now is from digital sales and performing at events through getting your name known. Once your name's out there, you get that many more invitations, and sometimes that little difference could mean hundreds of thousands of dollars in income.
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1. [+459, -14] If we really want to improve our music industry, what we need to do is not leave hateful comments on articles about young female idols but actually purchase the albums of talented artists when they make their comebacks. In the entertainment industry, even hateful comments are seen as a form of interest so the more you leave hateful comments on sexy concepts, the more they're going to think they need to keep up with it for more interest. It's only until they stop making money off of it that they'll turn their interests elsewhere. If you truly want a better music industry, think of other methods to change it...
2. [+187, -1] I suppose it's the same concept as makjang dramas getting better viewer ratings
3. [+44, -6] In the end, it's because the public wants it. I don't want to see it but that's what the public wants so that's what they're providing.
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