It seems as if the music industry has changed a lot within the years! With SG Wannabe, who apparently had the most album sales but with only about 190 000 copies sold, indicates that less people buy the albums from the music store and has moved onto the internet! Based on a survey done by Chosun Ilbo on ten music producers and critics, there were only seven main keywords used and they are…
1. Girl Singers
JYP’s Wonder Girls had a big success with the song “Tell Me”, which got the whole nation dancing and SM’s SNSD was another group that had become successful right from the start!! Then there were hit songs such as Ivy’s “Sonata of Temptation”, Younha’s “Secret Number 468” and Yangpa’s “What is Love”. An expert pointed out to the social trend of alpha girl (what is an alpha girl by the way?!): “just as alpha girls succeed in society, so girls succeed in the Korean pop music industry”. Other experts say that the Wonder Girls and SNSD have brought middle-age men to the TV and internet (omg…creepers..haha!!)
2. New Idols
With the new generation, Big Bang and Super Junior had brought boy groups to a whole new level, where before it was TVXQ and SM who had dominated with boy groups! YG and JYP now have also become even more successful with their boy groups. It is said that those who became successful during the year will become major “driving forces” after 2008.
3. Independent Music
The Korean music market is shrinking but the different genres of music is expanding! New genres include Clazziquai and House Rulez with electronica, Vassline with heavy metal and Huckleberry Finn with modern rock. An expert said, “Despite shrinking market, achievements by musicians who are making their ways were outstanding. I think now is the time of Korean independent music, which is diverse and mature.”
4. Catchy Tunes
In the past years, R&B had a lot of popularity and kpop were simply based on traditional structure of intro, development, turn and conclusion but this year, the key to the hit songs were catchy tunes, such as Big Bang’s “Lies”, Wonder Girls’ “Tell Me”, and Ivy’s “Sonata of Temptation”.
5. Concerts at Small Theatres
Experts say that performance in small venues is a new strategy for making profit. Big Mama and Lee Juk have made a success in selling out tickets at the small venues, in giving hope to the industry, like back in the 90s when these shows at the small venues were actually popular.
6. Memories of the 1990s
Yangpa and JYP’s successful comeback indicates that fans are missing the 90s. Recently, Toy released a new album, titled “Thank You”, after six years and managed to sell about 50 000 copies. It seems like the fans want music that they can cherish for a long time. Seo Taiji’s comeback album, which marked his 15th anniversary in the industry, was also sold out.
7. The Power of Video
Fans are no longer what they used to be. In this new generation, they are the ones who determine the success or failure of a song.Due to the popularity of the Wonder Girls’ Tell Me, many people have uploaded videos of themselves dancing to the song.
Credits: Digital Chosun Ilbo
Credit for ShenYuePop.com : Michelle
Editor: ShenYue!
