Jump to content
OneHallyu Will Be Closing End Of 2023 ×
OneHallyu

SM Entertainment invests in indie label BALJUNSO to help spread non-mainstream music


TheGuidance

Recommended Posts

misc_1393379485_af_org.jpg

SM Entertainment acquired shares in company BALJUNSO to launch a subsidiary indie label and expand the globalization of K-Pop's indie scene.

 

 

 

BALJUNSO was a company originally founded in 1991 by CAN Entertainment's Kang Byung Yong, who discovered talents like Kim Jong Suh, Jang Hye Jin, Park Sang Min, CAN, and more. SM Entertainment has joined hands with Kang Byung Yong to launch a 'BALJUNSO WORLD WIDE PROMOTION' campaign to bring global awareness of K-Pop's diversity with its indie and hip hop music. 

 

CEO Kang Byung Yong stated, "We are trying to shed new light on and revive the hip hop and band music of non-mainstream music."

 

"SM Entertainment, which is playing a leading role in the Hallyu culture, has invested in our company for K-Pop's diversity and globalization and as a subsidiary label, we established a firm cooperative relationship for global distribution, marketing, and additional business."

 

The 'BALJUNSO WORLD WIDE PROMOTION' event will begin in Hongdae on March 8 at 4 PM KST and features performances by seven groups including band HLIN, up and coming hip hop crew Play the Siren, Love and Peace, and 015B's Jang Ho Il project band. The event will also be streamed live on SMTOWN's YouTube channel, Genie, and USTREAM.

 

 

Cr: allkpop

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

soo.... an "indie label" full of "non mainstream" acts  that will probably look and sound like

 

Busker Busker

Royal Pirates

CN Blue

Humming Urban Stereo
NELL

 

 

not really obscure in style sound or look... but not idol pop...... 

i'm not really big on big major corporates delving into "indie" "obscure" part of the industry... because...well... they care about money before music... so all they do is monopolize it with their money and influence...redefining what "obscure music" is supposed to sound like... ie... watery commercial sounding versions of non idol-pop genres....

 

all at the expense of a platform formally reserved for artists of a particular kind.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

not really obscure in style sound or look... but not idol pop...... 

i'm not really big on big major corporates delving into "indie" "obscure" part of the industry... because...well... they care about money before music... so all they do is monopolize it with their money and influence...redefining what "obscure music" is supposed to sound like... ie... watery commercial sounding versions of non idol-pop genres....

 

all at the expense of a platform formally reserved for artists of a particular kind.

not necessary. in the case of my country, being partially owned by a big label provides the artists of a small indie label a better distribution, better mvs and chances to make songs for dramas or movies while the freedom of music production is preserved. it can also provide better artist and copyright royalty management. however, some indie artists don't like the professionalized and commercialized working ambience and move to other absolutely indie labels.

 

if SM growing through M&A so quick, it may later has to cut some label 'cos too much labels will end up its labels compete against each others and lead to decreasing rate of profit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

not necessary. in the case of my country, being partially owned by a big label provides the artists of a small indie label a better distribution, better mvs and chances to make songs for dramas or movies while the freedom of music production is preserved. it can also provide better artist and copyright royalty management. however, some indie artists don't like the professionalized and commercialized working ambience and move to other absolutely indie labels.

 

if SM growing through M&A so quick, it may later has to cut some label 'cos too much labels will end up its labels compete against each others and lead to decreasing rate of profit.

 

that's how any "indie"- major partnership works.... on paper...

 

there's zero indication that, that is the sort of enterprise that would happen within an SM subsidiary... or the South Korean mainstream entertainment culture for that matter.

 

There are plenty of indie labels who've been around and kicking for years in SK... without major company involvement...and the strings that come attached to it.

 

Freedom of music production... royalties....and non-commercialized are such quixotic ideas w/in these idol factories and their current stock of artists... but who knows... maybe they truly will handle their "obscure" subsidiary differently... but honestly... any act that comes from it... with all the big money investment from SM and promotion... .... .... will not be indie... obscure... hip hop... or non-mainstream....as a result....so.... it's a strange paradox we have here...

 

they simply...won't be "idols"...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

that's how any "indie"- major partnership works.... on paper...

 

there's zero indication that, that is the sort of enterprise that would happen within an SM subsidiary... or the South Korean mainstream entertainment culture for that matter.

 

There are plenty of indie labels who've been around and kicking for years in SK... without major company involvement...and the strings that come attached to it.

 

Freedom of music production... royalties....and non-commercialized are such quixotic ideas w/in these idol factories and their current stock of artists... but who knows... maybe they truly will handle their "obscure" subsidiary differently... but honestly... any act that comes from it... with all the big money investment from SM and promotion... .... .... will not be indie... obscure... hip hop... or non-mainstream....as a result....so.... it's a strange paradox we have here...

it's not a very strange paradox though. considering most big music companies have diversity of artists.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Invest in other labels that have strengths different from their own, let them do their thing, sit back and watch the money roll in.

As long as SME doesn't try to actually interfere with how the music is done this really is a perfect plan. And if they're smart, they'll keep the letters "SM" out of the picture. If indie artists get their names connected with SM all it does is ruin their cred. Don't want people thinking they've gone "idol".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Part of the reason people may legally acquire indie music v. illegally acquiring commercialized music is the thought that their money is directly going to the artists, producers, engineers, etc and not a conglomerate.

 

Not to say that commercialized musical acts are not artists too.

Some indie/underground acts have very little artistic substance and/or innovation compared to their so-called indie/underground cred.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Back to Top