This is the last post in the three part series. See Part I and Part II.
Historically, YG has never been one of the top record labels. True, they have been in the top three for the past decade but never seemed to have had the extra umph to trump SM and JYP in terms of having a roster of all-around megastar acts. Because of their heavy focus on hip hop, a niche genre, they have had difficulty appealing to the mainstream. Enter Big Bang and 2NE1. Two groups that have soared past the pop stratosphere and became overnight sensations. With Big Bang’s members also venturing off into very successful solo careers, and 2NE1 just whetting the appetites of Korean fans, does 2010 seem full of promise? You know the drill! Below, we score the former Seo Taiji Band star’s label.
In 2009:
–Big Bang scores high in Japan and receives the rookie award. +10
–2NE1’s debut becomes one of the hyped and successful in Korean pop history. +10
-Don’t know what’s more embarrassing for G-Dragon: the act of copyrighting in itself, or having had copied a song like Flo Rida’s “Right Round.” -9
–Big Bang’s members have extreme success with their solo activities with television hosting gigs, movie roles, solo music careers, and this. +8
–2NE1 sets off a national craze with “I Don’t Care” eh eh eh eh are. +8
-…And the same song is also sued for copyrighting infringement from Lionel Richie. -8
–The Dragon is going straight to jail. Er, maybe. -5
– Negative five points to 2NE1 just for my fear of lead singer, Park Bom’s collagen-filled lips — ticking time bomb just waiting to burst.-5
– We get that you like girls, Se7en, but do you have to bang it on the head that indeed, you like them girls? -9
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=depOL5JsTXk[/youtube]
…2010?
-2NE1’s new single, “Try To Copy Me,” is like “Fire” pt. II — catchy hooks and all.+7
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCPFvY4ZbLM[/youtube]
-Big Bang’s Dae Sung’s single, “Cotton Candy” is way too saccharine and sweet for anyone’s teeth to sink into. No thank you. -2
-Waiting too long for Maydoni… -1
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqZzBGs6gl4[/youtube]
Total Score: +4
There’s no doubt that YG’s offerings of both promising groups like Big Bang and 2NE1 is impressive but with only two big bands representing the company, can they stand against JYP and SM–two labels notoriously known to churning out bubble bum pop stars every so often?
‘Other‘
Korean pop had way too much going on in the year 2009. With so many artists becoming “trends” and hitting no. 1 without the luxury of having big label support to back them, it finally shatters the theory that in order to succeed one must be in the Big Three. A highlight of 2009:
-Ever tried to make some magic? Brown Eyed Girls’ “Abracadabra” is pure guilty bliss. +9
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR0R_4cFxEc[/youtube]
-WTF is up with the T-Ara song, “Bo Peep” achieving the No. 1 spot on the charts? And WTFF is up with the guy from Muse supporting the madness? -2
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2ehShCRUcE[/youtube]
-B2st is the B2st apparently not so as the group is compose of members who were flat out rejected from other boy bands. -8
-Sandara Park’s lil’ bro follows in her K-pop footsteps by joining a group created by Mr. Rain himself, MBLAQ. There’s even that one guy from that shizztastic Ninja Assassin who played “young Raizo” in the group. +3
-I guess it’s flattering to be copied for your success, but who in their right minds would want to follow in Super Junior‘s footsteps? Uh…Ze:A, what? -8
-Much hyped about boyband Fcuz debuts and then loses buzz once their single drops. -2
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pwvvvihf70[/youtube]
–4 Minute, Kara, After School prove success comes in poppy, happy, danceable tracks. +8
Total score: 0
Though 2009 was a breakthrough year for no-name labeled bands, 2010 still seems difficult for them as staying power and career longevity has always been known to be short with groups who don’t have a large label to support them. But even so, the promising new bunch of singers seem to have an incredible following with support in South Korea, so only time will tell if they can truly trump the Big Three, but it seems, in the near future, not so likely.
Conclusion:
JYP: +7
SM: +4
YG: +4
Other: 0
For the time being, it seems as if Park Jin Young has a strong business model with the extreme popularity of bands 2PM, 2AM and the Wonder Girls making it strong across the waters. Though SM and YG also have strong contenders, because of the smaller success they have overseas in comparison to JYP, they were rated with lower scores. But in 2010 it seems like it’s anyone’s game. With 4 Minute collaborating with American songstress, Amerie, and many of the other groups propelling themselves to the top, it’s easy to say that in the new year, all dynamics can and will be broken.
Stay tuned!
