The Weaknesses of
SM, JYP, and YG Entertainment
Below is an interesting article I've read over the weekends; written by a Korean media
outlet - Star Today, pointing out the weaknesses of the "Big 3" South
Korean entertainment agencies.
SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and YG Entertainment
are the so-called “Big 3” entertainment agencies of South Korea. With extensive
planning, funding and tactical marketing, they possess a significant portion of
equity in the music industry. However, even they have inevitable weaknesses.
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To start out, SM’s weakness lies in its extremely rigid system.
After its release of male idol group, H.O.T., SM has focused on “blockbuster”
idols that can be well showcased. Although systematically built on the ideal
idol image, overseas music trends, chic styling, and massive amounts of
publicity, the SM system is still vulnerable to that ‘1% of unpredictability’.
The reason being that in the case of popular music, just ‘having the secret
potion and knowing the magic spell’, does not necessarily produce a hit song.
An example of this case would be newly debuted boy group,
EXO. Displaying good looks, outstanding talent, endless publicity starting 100
days before their big debut, lyrics appealing to teens, and large scale music,
the group possessed the formula for success, yet was unable to see results up
to par with expectations.
Surprisingly enough, it was because they possessed all of
the ideal elements which resulted in evaluations stating that the group does
not stand out among the plethora of idol groups. Being so “typical” can display
the group as lacking their own unique color. This is where SM’s “bold
investments” can hinder the success of its’ artists, because the greater the
investment, the greater the pressure is to bring in revenue. If going by the
statement, ‘It is not the strong that survive, but rather the ones that survive
are strong’, then with exception to BoA, there are no “strong” artists.
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On the other hand, JYP’s biggest weakness lies in the head
of the agency himself, Park Jin Young. His signature ‘simple yet catchy’ songs
are the reasons why the Wonder Girls, 2PM, Miss A, and others are considered
representatives of K-Pop; however all of the title songs have been his
creations. Although it is said that Park Jin Young’s songs are picked even
against the collection of songs the A&R team has compiled, they cannot deny
the fact the at least three of the agency’s artists have yet to promote a title
song produced by anyone other than Park Jin Young.
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| JYP Nation |
The biggest problem musically would be that because the songs are produced by one individual, all of the songs can generally sound similar. Even in the case of 2PM’s Wooyoung, whose individuality should shine through his debut as a solo artist, one cannot help but notice the stylistic similarity of his recently revealed title song to the songs of 2PM.
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| 2PM first solo artist - WooYoung |
Although it could be seen as a “direction of enterprise”, it can unintentionally be crippling for idol groups who are always searching for new images that appeal to audiences. In reality, six year veteran idol group Wonder Girls have yet to break out of the retro concept they created early on with songs, “Tell Me”, “So Hot”, and “Nobody”.
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Last but not least, YG’s biggest weakness can be noted in
their very closed system of communication. This can be seen in their
relationships with broadcasting companies. YG entertainment has a particularly
strong relationship with SBS compared to its relationships with KBS and MBC.
Debut stages and appearances on SBS’s ‘Inkigayo’ are always a priority for
groups such as Big Bang and 2NE1. As a result, KBS and MBC can seem somewhat
neglected in comparison.
When this problem turns from a simple music program problem,
to the discrimination of all variety and entertainment programs, it makes it
even more difficult for all other broadcasters other than SBS. SBS in reality,
exclusively enjoys appearances by YG artists. During the time of Big Bang’s
comeback, the broadcast station arranged an hour long special program for the
group, who also appeared on many of its major variety programs, such as
‘Healing Camp’, ‘Running Man’, and ‘You & I’.
This is the case not just with television, but also with
newspapers, magazines, and other media. It may not be a big problem for artists
that have reached a certain level of success; however that is not the case for
new artists. The smallest negative matters brought up by sides that are not
“alliances”, can cause a fatal blow on up and coming artists.
Another significant setback is that the agency is highly
dependent on one artist, Big Bang. In the year 2010, Big Bang was responsible
for a whopping 70.1% of YG entertainment’s total sales. This could mean that YG
is more focused on Big Bang than any of its other artists, but it can also mean
that if a problem were to occur with the group, the whole company could be at
stake.
Source: Allkpop
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Although I'm not so-into SM ent agencies, so I'm not sure how accurate this maybe. But I can say that the view is fair enough as till now SM is only relying most on his major "blockbusters" like BOA, SNSD & Super Junior.
As for JYPE, *ya I know I'm JYPE fanatic*
the pro can be viewed as a con at times. Most of their major hits are composed by JYP himself, without a doubt there will still have the "same-feel" to a certain extend.
Even the boys here have the same thoughts ey~ hehe.. (>^.^<)
Well, as for YG, can't say that I totally agree with his method of doing but this is how it's like for them since day one. If you to have notice this - that is, have you ever wondered why you've never seen either Big-Bang or 2NE1 in..hmmm..let's say Dream Team or Star Golden Bell or even the weekly Music Bank. That's course *& ya you must have notice this* all this are park under KBS station. With their strong relationship they have with SBS, no wonder you only saw them guest star in SBS variety programmes such as Running Man. *watch RunningMan episode guest star by Big Bang.. guarantee to make you LOL* =)
