Comment by bane | Hacker News Reader

Comment by bane | Hacker News Reader

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That manufacturing also appears to carry a considerable investment (or possible payoff). One initially wonders why, when manufactured pop stars spectacularly flame out, that they are simply told to go low profile for a while then come back and act like nothing happened...until you think of them as a multi-million dollar entertainment machine their managers no doubt poured tons of money into in the form of singing lessons, dancing lessons, acting lessons, language lessons, etc. plus the money spent on building up "brand" awareness etc.

I follow Korean pop culture more than Japan's, but I definitely have a sense that the K-POP labels have virtual stables of up and coming "properties", getting paid little, living in bunks with other stars-in-training and eating instant noodles, but being given the very best in song and dance lessons for hours a day, waiting to be selected by their manager to begin a nationwide PR blitz and concert series for at least 2 years of "instant" stardom, then cultural obscurity.

I imagine that something no entirely dissimilar happens in the U.S., but the feeder system is all different...

The K-Pop starlet BoA is one I remember very well (also semi-popular in Japan if I understand correctly), chosen at about 13 (years ago), dropped out of school and "manufactured" through endless training programs to become what she is today. Interestingly, she was an investment by her label specifically for export to the U.S. and Japan. She hasn't done well in the States, but her label seems happy with her performance across the Sea of Japan, infiltrating J-Pop. Her interviews in the States (in very good, but accented English) came across as weird, slightly aloof, uncomfortable and detached...kind of what you'd expect out of somebody who has never really lived a normal life.

Is there in Korea (Asia) a counter culture to pop? The western youth is regularly driven like a pendulum to alternative and uncommercialised styles like Hippies, punk, grunge, electro. The stereotypical hipster who only likes obscure music and independent art by starving but true artists.

Yes.

There is a very active youth crew hardcore scene in Korea. Nicest group of people in world because they are actually a minority and are always hungry for like-minded people.

Scenes are generally full of nice people, until they get popular.

There is, but the "stick it to the man and be a rebel" vibe is not nearly as strong as in the States.

Every once in a while the mainstream will flirt with some of the indie groups, sometimes some of the style rubs off and the Pop industry will change.

One very well known case (in Korea) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seo_Tae_Ji basically revolutionized the entire industry a couple of times, changing styles like some people change hair cuts. He basically introduced hard rock and rap into the mainstream (which basically was stuff like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2lD9cvkDx8 ) until he came along.

But there's really some great stuff in the indie scene there. One duo has recently started getting noticed a bit in the mainstream.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmJYbdRfDNQ

<i>I definitely have a sense that the K-POP labels have virtual stables of up and coming "properties"</i>

Someone I knew in London 5 or so years ago got a Development Deal with one of the major labels. He stayed in his normal job, but was paid a retainer to not talk to any other labels for a period of time. I don't know how much it was, but the first time the money hit his account he thought he'd been overpaid and called them so they could correct their error - he was told it was the right amount.

They'd give him some studio time occasionally and have him record demos and do showcase performances for various important people. They offered him a personal chef and a personal trainer to tone up.

Last I heard nothing had ever come of the whole thing. No records released, no attempt at publicly launching his career, etc. I assume the money stopped coming at some point.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artist_development_deal

Reminds me maybe of the crazy stuff from "The Real Housewives of xyz" or Rebecca Black's (Friday) production company.

Sort of the feeder leagues that produce second and third rate stuff until something percolates up and makes it into the major leagues. I wonder how much music (and videos) is out there? I'd bet some (a small percentage no doubt) of it is pretty good.

> "until you think of them as a multi-million dollar entertainment machine their managers no doubt poured tons of money into"

I would bet the ad spends and branding costs would dwarf the money spent directly on grooming the performer.

I think you are probably correct. Though I'm honestly not sure how the economics work out there. A very great deal of the promotion events happen via television appearances on various variety shows. A label may have spent a decade (or more) investing in training up a performer before they get any public notice.

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