Like mentioned in Human Wave Tactics (I), large
group is a special feature of K-Pop. You can always find a group with more than
5 members, and some even over 10. Besides the main effect of abundant visual
and auditory entertainment, there are lots of other functions and benefits.
Reduce
Risk
K-Pop is very “show-oriented”, and dancing is
particularly important for a stage show. However, group members may sometimes absent
from shows due to inevitable reasons (e.g. being injured, filming dramas or
movies). For groups with fewer than 4 members, merely the lack of one person will make
the show hollow and insubstantial. Therefore, as long as one member is absent, small
groups are often forced to abandon performance opportunities. In contrast,
large groups have enough people to sustain the show and maintain the integrity
of dance choreography even if one or two members are unable to attend. This
helps reduce the risk of show cancel and improve the convenience of performing.
 |
| AOA performed the same song with full group and one person less |
Subunit
Large groups are able to create subgroups,
which may be a great opportunity to absorb new fans, increase popularity, and expand
the market. The scenario of subunits can be divided into three:
1. Group's
popularity drive its subunit
Some groups are just too successful that
their management companies will take advantage of the high popularity to make
subunits. The best example is TTS from Girls' Generation. Both the group and
subunit achieved great success.
 |
| TTS from Girls' Generation |
2. Subunit’s
popularity drive its group
Some groups are still mediocre few years after
debuting, so management companies will take a chance to release a subunit. There’re
some cases that subunits success and raise awareness of groups, such as Orange Caramel from After School.
 |
| Orange Caramel from After School |
3. Created
with subunits
Some groups are originally created with assigned
subunits. Cosmic Girls, which debuted with 12 members in 2016, are divided
equally into 4 subunits – Wonder Unit, Joy Unit, Sweet Unit, and Natural Unit.
 |
| Cosmic Girls / WJSN |
Wow! It is amazing to learn all the theory that goes into creating a group. There is so much thought that goes into the process.
ReplyDeleteAmazing blog! Great research and very detailed! It's cool to observe how new styles of music arising throughout the world. Listening to several K-pop artists myself, as they recently started to collaborate with my favorite Western electronic music producers.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea so much went into putting together a group! Very well researched post, I'll have to start looking into K-pop when finding new music!
ReplyDeleteCreating a group sounds pretty challenging. There's a lot that goes into it from what I read. Your blog peaked my interest in K-pop, which is a genre I used to ignore but not anymore. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your post because I knew Kpop before. i think "subunits" is really popular way for "Idols groups in Korea.
ReplyDeleteA few of my friends are a big fan of K-pop. However, I've never peeped into the genre. I think I need to start listening to Cosmic Girls after reading your post!
ReplyDeleteI never knew K-pop was originated in Korea.
ReplyDeleteSo much work goes into things I would have never even thought about. The large group dynamic really does allow for a "the show must go on" mentality.
ReplyDeleteOnce you love K-pop, you really cannot stop. I was surprised when I came to know the members of Girl Generation had to go through three years of training before they even debuted. I used to watch a lot of Taemin and now BTS. You have done a great job breaking down everything that happens in the background of every k-pop creation.
ReplyDelete