[SB] Rookie Group Comparisons: Fair or Unfair?

[footballfina]

 

When a new group debuts, comparisons to already established groups are inevitable. “They’re just copying X,†many K-pop fans whine during these debuts. This is especially true when rookies go for less traditional concepts. But is it fair to compare rookie groups to others? And if so, where exactly should the line be drawn?

 

A common sentiment expressed when these comparisons arise is that the group should be judged on merit alone. Their song, choreography, and MV are all works of art and it would be unfair for them to immediately be compared to existing works because of small similarities. After all, so much time and effort goes into song production, creating and learning choreography, and filming music videos. What gives people the right to immediately dismiss these creative endeavors?

 

Proponents of this viewpoint also argue that it is unfair to the idols. No one  wants to be known as “the second SHINee†or “that group that tried to be 2NE1.†It rejects the rookie group’s individuality and pretends as if established groups somehow have a fixed claim on a certain way to do things.

 

Not to mention the fact that people can, and have, organically come up with similar concepts despite no contact between them. Taeyang’s one take MV was certainly not ‘stolen’ from Exo’s “Growl.â€

 

However, this viewpoint fails to consider the fact that K-pop does not occur in a vacuum. By this, I mean that the creation of music is as influenced by the industry as the industry is influenced by music. Therefore, using the example above, while Taeyang did not copy Exo, it is possible he could have been influenced by the cinematography of their music video.

 

Another way to look at this is to consider that a catchy song may be considered good by the public but what is ‘good’ exactly? Good is always changing and the song may only be good because the industry and the public has determined that in this moment, this is what ‘good’ is.

 

 

Back to rookie groups: In the case of BTL who recently debuted with supernatural powers, this second viewpoint would argue that they cannot not be influenced by other groups. This is because, while the idea may have had nothing to do with other groups, BTL must now ensure that they don’t encroach upon, for example, Vixx’s so-called territory.

 

In the end, I believe that the best way to examine a rookie group’s debut is a middle ground between these two viewpoints. Yes, a debut should be judged by merit and quality, but at the same time, one can’t forget that these choices don’t occur in a vacuum and could have very easily been influenced by other groups.

 

Should groups be judged solely on merit? Is there another way to judge debuts?

[Ogre Shrek]

What a long-ass essay that doesn't say anything other than the painfully obvious  

 

Edit:

[sB] = SeoulBeats?  No wonder!  

Bloody wasted my time   

[김민주]

I'm pretty sure EXO did the super power thing before VIXX.

[TheOfficialPimpwife]

nugus

[Yoonacorn]

Mmmk.  Could have just said: "It's not fair."

[PD101 Rep: BoA]

What a long-ass essay that doesn't say anything other than the painfully obvious  

 

Edit:

[sB] = SeoulBeats?  No wonder!  

Bloody wasted my time   

 

lol right. There should be perhaps been specific examples mentioned.

 

 

 

 

 

Anyway, I do try to make it a point to give rookie groups a fair chance and I truly do hate it when people write them off simply because they're new. More often than not I will even forgive similarities, especially within companies as I don't expect them to come right out of the gate with a completely new concept separate from what the company was doing previously. The debuts are meant to be somewhat "safe" until a fanbase is secured and I get that. Some situations are a little bothersome though, not for the sake of copying anyone but more for the sake of "If it's been seen all the time already, why do it again with no real difference?" BTL, for example. Why even bother with the "super powers"? It didn't even help their concept or video.

 

 

[Tadpole.]

I don't get this article.

 

Should groups be judged solely on merit? Is there another way to judge debuts?

You judge it based on how much you like it.

[with hoya]

I'm pretty sure EXO did the super power thing before VIXX.

VIXX didn't do superpowers, they did the supernatural

so

well

[Witch Nose]

SHINee did sort of super powers in Ring Ding Dong tho? 

 

I don't think its 'copying' but obviously vixx fans are not going to be happy if another group does something similar to a concept they treasure.

[â„„oser]

I don't think it's 'fair' but what if that was some of their companies' intention from the beginning? 

 

Oh and I fail to understand the need to compare 'Ringa Linga' to 'Growl' just because it's a one take MV instead of 'Love Song'.

[XIUDEAN]

SHINee did sort of super powers in Ring Ding Dong tho? 

 

I don't think its 'copying' but obviously vixx fans are not going to be happy if another group does something similar to a concept they treasure.

I can't speak for all starlights, but it doesn't bother me in the slightest. This debut was more war/anime than dark concept to me though

[auroras]

Completely fresh ideas are pretty much non-existent these days. There is always someone else that did it first.

[Ogre Shrek]

lol right. There should be perhaps been specific examples mentioned.

 

 

 

 

 

Anyway, I do try to make it a point to give rookie groups a fair chance and I truly do hate it when people write them off simply because they're new. More often than not I will even forgive similarities, especially within companies as I don't expect them to come right out of the gate with a completely new concept separate from what the company was doing previously. The debuts are meant to be somewhat "safe" until a fanbase is secured and I get that. Some situations are a little bothersome though, not for the sake of copying anyone but more for the sake of"I f it's been seen all the time already, why do it again with no real difference?" BTL, for example. Why even bother with the "super powers"? It didn't even help their concept or video.

 

On giving rookie group a fair chance, time constraints meant I never used to bother.  So whether a rookie group has a new concept or just a fresh take on an old concept, mattered not one jolt.

 

Or at least that was the case before I joined the forum life.  Coming here means fast and (most importantly) convenient access to new songs from both established and nugu groups.  So I find myself more open to clicking on vids posted by users here, even when the group is unfamiliar to me.  And I'm glad I did; would not have heard of Orange Caramel or Crayon Pop otherwise, let alone become their fan.

 

On the bolded part, it's the same for every consumer product: people tend to stick with the tried and tested unless there is something that compels us to give the new milk brand/cereal/song from a nugu group a try.  It needn't even be about the concept; it can be something as superficial as me finding one of the group members easy on the eye...      

[shinfinitexo]

fair enough...people are judgmental...so when a few groups do the similar concepts with each other than comparison is unavoidable... to avoid the comparison better the new group to come out with more fresh ideas and concepts....

[soulone]

tl;tr n nothing news