[Instiz] Estimated expenses to debut a 5 member idol group

Instiz: The expenses needed for a 5 member idol group to debut

Fixed expenses per month

- Dormitory (25 pyung) - $1,000
- Choreography practice room (30 pyung) - $1,000
- Food and snacks - $3,000
- Choreography training - $2,000
- Vocal training $2,000
- Rap training - $1,000
- Acting training - $2,000
- Beauty/plastic surgery - $10,000
- Casting director - $3,000 ($1,000~$2,000 per director / casting a trainee from another company also costs around $5,000~$10,000)
- Employee pay (per 5) - $15,000

Total = $40,000 x 6 months = $240,000

Expenses per album release

- Song expenses (four tracks) - $12,000
- Recording mastering - $8,000
- Photographer - $3,000
- Jacket design & stylist - $4,000
- Clothing production (four outfits) - $20,000
- Music video - $50,000
- Promotion (including showcase) - $100,000
- Hair and make up - $5,000
- Choreography (two tracks) - $6,000
- Backdancers ($350 per performance) - $7,000
+ Additional expenses - $215,000

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"Hul.. daebak..."

"I'm sure idols make all that much back and more (upon success) right?"

"I wonder how much EXO cost then..."

"Pretty sure EXO cost even more than double that then..."

"If only five cost this much.."

"Keep in mind this doesn't have contracting fees either..."

"Pre-debut idols pretty much cost as much as a house.."

"I heard that idols need to at least win #1 on a music program to make back the expenses on their album production. INFINITE couldn't make it back until around Paradise and stayed in the reds until then.. Idols who aren't successful barely make enough performing at several off camera events."

"So I guess this is why idols say they don't make money until 2-3 years after their debut ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ"

"But all you really need is one thing to blow up and start rolling in the cash.. and idols like IKON nowadays make their own money with royalties and such."

"All of these expenses are up to the idols to pay back in the end, I heard.."

"I wonder where smaller agencies get all the money to produce idols with."

"It's probably different for larger agencies since they own their own practice halls and such and don't need to rent any."

"SM probably spends double that considering they use big name choreographers and the like."

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