[MTV] WITH WAYV, ALL EYES ARE FINALLY ON C-POP (+NinePercent, Rocket Girls, NEX7, ONER)

[5201314]

 

 

AS KOREA'S SM ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCHES ITS LATEST EXPERIMENT, THE IDOL INDUSTRY PLACES ITS BETS ON C-POP

 

 

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/3109825/wayv-debut-c-pop-guide/

By Tássia Assis

 

 

 

 

WayV, a boy group composed of members from Korean label SM Entertainment's experimental collective NCT, debuted today (January 17) in China with their three-song digital EP, The Vision. The group benefits from the popularity of known faces WinWin, Lucas, and Ten, while properly introducing member Kun to a fixed unit and welcoming rookies Xiaojun, Hendery, and Yangyang to the ensemble. For SM, WayV represent the next step in the company's plan to extend their reach across the globe with region-specific idol groups — but they're also a gamble.

 

 

 

 

 

This is not the first time that SM Entertainment has tested the billion-dollar Chinese market, where the most popular acts have profits that average more than $17 million USD per month. In 2008, the company debuted Super Junior-M, a Mandarin subunit of popular boy group Super Junior, and promoted soloist Zhang Liyin's first solo album, I WILL. In 2012, idol group EXO debuted with two subunits, EXO-K and EXO-M, with the intent of promoting in Korea and China simultaneously.

 

However, following the implementation of THAAD restrictions in 2017, which banned South Korean music and television content to be streamed in China, Hallyu's (or Korean pop culture) world expansion took a blow that led to focusing in other markets, such as the West, Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The tensions also halted SM's ambitious plan to debut WayV in 2018; in fact, removing the NCT label from the group's name — they're rumored to have been originally named NCT Vision — seemed to be a calculated decision.

 

In order to overcome any THAAD-related obstacles, SM's strategy for WayV is to promote them under Label V, a Chinese company who will manage the group’s activities in China. (It's unconfirmed whether SM will manage the group and its seven members outside of China.) Now, with the release of their new EP, curious eyes turn toward the burgeoning C-pop idol industry, making this a timely moment for a proper introduction to the genre.

 

C-pop is, first of all, a term much like K-pop, embracing various styles under Chinese popular music. It has three main subgenres: Cantopop (sung in Cantonese), Minnan Pop (sung in Taiwanese Hokkien), and the most popular, Mandopop (sung in Mandarin).

 

China tends to prefer soloists over groups, with popular solo artists Jay Chou, JJ Lin, and Jolin Tsai historically owning the market, but this hasn't stopped K-pop idol groups from developing massive audiences in the country. Legendary boy band Big Bang has over 7 million followers on their Weibo page, while EXO's Sehun has amassed more than 10 million fans on his profile. Many Chinese idols who work in the K-pop industry also tend to carve out successful solo careers in the country, such as EXO's Lay Zhang and GOT7's Jackson Wang.

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, the soloist trend might be starting to change. The aforementioned political tension between South Korea and China has posed obstacles for the Hallyu expansion, but also left enough space in Chinese entertainment to prompt a surge of their own productions. The country's edition of Produce 101 drew more than 4.3 billion views in total, while Idol Producer, a similar survival show produced by Baidu's iQiyi, garnered over 100 million votes to decide the top 20 trainees.

 

The enormous success of both shows has led to online commentary naming 2018 "the first year of the idols' reign" in China. Meanwhile, several Chinese music shows, inspired by Korea's popular weekly music broadcasts, also launched last year, including iQiyi's Idol Hits and tech giant Tencent's Yo! Bang, a streaming show that gives out awards based on chart results.

 

With so much excitement around C-pop in its home country — and deep-pocketed investors who believe idol groups might finally break out in China — the moment is certainly promising, even though the industry itself is still figuring things out. The government’s extensive internet censorship — which restricts access to most content for the rest of the world — is one of the biggest hurdles. Still, there are a slew of idol groups to look forward to in 2019. Take a look.

 

 

1. NINE PERCENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

The temporary boy band formed by Idol Producer released their first album To The Nines last November, accumulating almost a million digital sales and landing at No. 2 on the Billboard China V chart. After the survival show ended, the group was sent to Los Angeles for two weeks to further their training, where they worked with producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and Emmy-nominated choreographer Christopher Scott. Another reality show, Nine Percent: Flower Road Journey, followed the group during their trip.

 

Cai Xukun, the first-place contestant, was already a popular figure due to his activities with group SWIN S and his own solo work, and K-pop fans might know members Zhu Zhengting (formerly known as JungJung) and Justin (Huang Minghao) from the Korean version of Produce 101, where both competed. The group also includes Fan Chengcheng (known as actress Fan BingBing's younger brother), Chen Linong, Lin Yanjun, Wang Ziyi, Xiao Gui, and You Zhangjing.

 

Their latest release, "I Need a Doctor," is a melodramatic pop song about heartache, echoing the best of *NSYNC's lovesick anthem, "I Drive Myself Crazy." It's an addictive track that showcases why they're the nation's pick (and probably will become yours, too).

 

 

 

 

2. ROCKET GIRLS 101

 

 

 

 

The winners of Produce 101 released their first EP, æ’ž (Collide), in August, garnering over two million digital sales on QQ Music, China's biggest streaming platform, as well as a double-diamond certification. Meng Meiqi and Wu Xuanyi, from K-pop group WJSN, finished in the top two spots on the show, and former The Rap of China contestant Yamy placed fifth. Completing the eleven-member set are Yang Chaoyue, Duan Aojuan, Lai Meiyun, Zhang Zining, Sunnee, Li Ziting, Fu Jing, and Xu Mengjie.

 

While their debut was nearly derailed because of management issues, the girls are known for their bubbly pop songs, such as "Calorie," a top-charting single for the movie Xihong City's Richest Man. However, it's "Sailor Moon," a b-side promoted on live shows, that reveals their true potential. The song features an exciting mix of futuristic sounds and 8-bit music, with addictive "oh oh oh la la la las" and Yamy's rap elevating the track to another dimension. The only thing missing is an official music video, but for now, the live performances do a great job displaying the girls' charisma and skill.

 

 

 

 

 

3. NEX7 (NEXT)

 

 

 

 

 

Managed by Yuehua Entertainment, the same company that represents K-pop groups WJSN (in partnership with Korea's Starship Entertainment) and UNIQ, septet NEX7 are yet another debut to ride on the popularity of Idol Producer. All members participated on the show, with Fan Chengcheng, Zhu Zhengting, and Justin (Huang Minghao) making it to the final line-up. The remaining members are Ding Zeren (who was a former SM Entertainment trainee), Bi Wenjun, Huang Xinchun, and Li Quanzhe, and the group recently released their second album, Next to You, selling over two million digital copies on NetEase Cloud Music, another prominent music streaming service in the country.

 

Because of their company's partnerships with Korea-based agencies, NEX7 trained in the country, and their debut song, "Wait a Minute," was in part produced by Ryan S. Jhun, who's worked on K-pop hits like SHINee's "Lucifer," EXO's "Love Me Right," and Red Velvet's "Dumb Dumb." The song is an explosion of hard-hitting sounds, plagued by the hook's unfortunate "woo woos" and "skrrrt skrrrts," but its melodic verses make up for it, as well as the trippy, colorful visual.

 

 

 

 

 

4. FANXYRED

 

 

 

 

 

Having first debuted under the name Acrush in 2017, FANXYRED are a group comprised of five androgynous young women who encourage fans to pursue their own identities. Inspired by singer Li Yuchun, who is considered the mother of unisex looks in China, Lu Keran, Peng Xichen, Linfan, An Junxi, and Peng Yiyang offer a fresh approach to girl groups.

 

While their re-debut under the new name is still to be announced, they currently upload dance covers of K-pop songs and other videos on their company's YouTube channel.

 

 

 

 

5. ONER

 

 

 

 

Yet another fruit of Idol Producer, ONER are a quartet under Qin's Entertainment. They debuted in August 2018 with the album è¿‡æ• (Allergy) and were awarded Popular Group of the Year at the Tencent Star Awards in December.

 

Their debut single, "Dazzle," is an atmospheric deep-house track with an alluringly mysterious vibe. The music video — an aesthetically pleasing mash-up of neon lights, plants, and geometric objects (a C-pop twist on the iconic "SM box") — is an entrancing experience.

 

 

 

Other notable projects from Idol Producer are Awaken-F, MR-X, and Tangram. Produce 101 hasn't produced as many debuts, but some existing groups from the contestants are worth checking out, including S.I.N.G (Sing Girls), MERA, and KOGIGIRLS.

 

Of course, it's impossible to talk about idol groups in China and not mention the long-standing popularity of TFBoys. Karry Wang, Roy Wang, and Jackson Yee debuted in 2013 when they were only 12 and 13 years old, and their first hit, "é’春少年手册 Manual of Youth," propelled them to widespread fame thanks to their wholesome image and patriotic message. They're still considered one of the most popular acts in China, with over 200 million followers combined on Weibo and staggering yearly profits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the soloist-dominated Chinese charts, TFBoys are still one of the few exceptions, but there's room for change as the idol industry places its bets on China. The development of their own music shows and other events create exposure to idol groups and foster fan culture, in a model inspired by the Japanese and Korean markets. With loyal and engaged fandoms of their own, Chinese groups can finally find sustainability and profit beyond one-hit wonders.

 

We're only halfway through January, but WayV's anticipated debut — in addition to the second season of Idol Producer and Youku's rookie idol survival show, All For One (where WayV are scheduled to guest), premiering on Friday (January 18) — prove that C-pop could be the next wave to take hold of global culture.

 

 

[Pupp�y]

Nine Percent leading the way 

[Frozen]

I want more girl groups. There's not much of a selection in Cpop.

[waycrispy1]

NOPE

 

Why do they even need to appease the outside of China audience who complain all the damn time about lack of group promotions when they are probably making bank individually, better solo stuff from group members please

 

WayV debut will probably make the least amount of difference

[Feary]

Nobody outside China cares about Rocket girls or Next7.

 

Nine Percent is a different story though, since Idol Producer got a lot of attention internationally, at least way more than the girl version.

[5201314]

Nobody outside China cares about Rocket girls or Next7.

Nine Percent is a different story though, since Idol Producer got a lot of attention internationally, at least way more than the girl version.

China cares, that's the point.

 

It's not about ifans, they are insignificant.

 

It's about a burgeoning idol industry that companies want a part of.

 

No one outside of China cares about the Chinese movie industry. Who cares? Not "ifans." China and Hollywood fatcats do though.

[Loonathehoe]

FANXYRED IS HERE BITCH

[bluesargent]

China cares, that's the point.

 

It's not about ifans, they are insignificant.

 

It's about a burgeoning idol industry that companies want a part of.

 

No one outside of China cares about the Chinese movie industry. Who cares? Not "ifans." China and Hollywood fatcats do though.

 

I agree, but the article is about which acts have the potential to make cpop get global attention. I don't think it ever will, but it doesn't matter because of what you said. They don't NEED to go global, their Chinese fanbases are more than enough to sustain these groups. 

 

Nine Percent did get attention outside China, but from what I've seen it was mostly from kpop fans, probably the ones who already watched survival shows and were familiar with Zhengting and Justin. Wanna One wasn't as big internationally as they were in Korea because international fans just don't seem to be able to get themselves invested in temporary groups, and I think it would be the same with Nine Percent. International fans also seem to value group activities and a group bond in general, and cpop group members often do solo activities. They go long stretches of time without doing things as a group (see: TFBoys; the TFBoys stans I follow on Twitter are always pleasantly surprised whenever ot3 actually does something together). But maybe non-kpop fans could get invested in some cpop groups because, judging from the western boy groups and girl groups I've been into, their stans are a bit more likely to be okay with people only being into one member.

 

If cpop does blow up the way kpop has, I think it would be because of a solo artist like Kris or Lay. I just don't see any cpop groups getting big internationally in the near future, but that's not something they even need to worry about. With the huge domestic fanbases they have, there's no need to appeal to or cater to fans outside China.

[capital]

I see Cai Xukun being the next superstar, and Nex7 being succesful in the long run as a boygroup. Also, global fame is not exactly likely right now - C-Pop doesn't need and doesn't push for a 'hallyu wave' because the national market can grow to sustain easily, unlike K-Pop's tiny national market.

 

All this does is make me wish for a working Indian Idol industry - it would have made billions easily what with the reach Bollywood already has.

[waycrispy1]

I see Cai Xukun being the next superstar, and Nex7 being succesful in the long run as a boygroup. Also, global fame is not exactly likely right now - C-Pop doesn't need and doesn't push for a 'hallyu wave' because the national market can grow to sustain easily, unlike K-Pop's tiny national market.

 

All this does is make me wish for a working Indian Idol industry - it would have made billions easily what with the reach Bollywood already has.

 

Is Indian music industry not good?

[capital]

Is Indian music industry not good?

It is. The problem is - it is tied up completely with the film industry. We other than that have a fast-developing hip-hop segment, and a long continuing rock band scene. Singers (playback and band) get a pretty penny touring too. But basic pop with solos and groups had a 10-year window in mid-90s to mid-2000s, and then went bust. We have talented youngsters absorbed within the various film industries as actors, singers; only sometimes releasing songs.

It would be nice to have a working idol industry - something like Kpop, because we do have the population bulge who'll support, a worldwide captive audience among diaspora and POC communities, and influence in Africa, Lat. America, Mid-East,  South Asia and SEA who keep sending youngsters dying to make it in Bollywood. I don't understand why we don't have a thriving idol industry yet.

[waycrispy1]

It is. The problem is - it is tied up completely with the film industry. We other than that have a fast-developing hip-hop segment, and a long continuing rock band scene. Singers (playback and band) get a pretty penny touring too. But basic pop with solos and groups had a 10-year window in mid-90s to mid-2000s, and then went bust. We have talented youngsters absorbed within the various film industries as actors, singers; only sometimes releasing songs.

It would be nice to have a working idol industry - something like Kpop, because we do have the population bulge who'll support, a worldwide captive audience among diaspora and POC communities, and influence in Africa, Lat. America, Mid-East,  South Asia and SEA who keep sending youngsters dying to make it in Bollywood. I don't understand why we don't have a thriving idol industry yet.

 

Same with China, you can't get recognition with music alone. Everyone has to build up a fanbase through dramas or variety shows in order for people to even care about their music, and when you have a big enough following, you fans will buy any crap song you come out with. You have a very popular song that goes viral, but no one will know who the singer is or even care to find out. 

[capital]

Same with China, you can't get recognition with music alone. Everyone has to build up a fanbase through dramas or variety shows in order for people to even care about their music, and when you have a big enough following, you fans will buy any crap song you come out with. You have a very popular song that goes viral, but no one will know who the singer is or even care to find out. 

Its not yet like that, because some singers (even as playback voices) are famous - like Babul Supriyo (who joined politics on that goodwill) or Arijit Singh. People like them - Avijit Sen or Sonu Nigam - have released albums which have sold like crazy too. They don't do dramas, and the variety we have (Comedy Nights with Kapil Sharma for eg.) are kind of talk-shows. But yes, the popular hip-hoppers do release so much trash which gets bumped by all the edgy teens.

 

I hope the condition changes. We had a period of top divas like Alisha Chenoy, Ila Arun, and girl-bands like Viva, and these sort of talented people really deserve. We really deserve a full flourishing pop scene that can sing the songs of the changing times, of battles like winning de-criminalisation of LGBT. We have been deprived of all that. 

[KorAm]

Actually it’s not about the “world†caring about CPOP. It is more about Korea and specifically its entertainment industry caring.

 

China is foreign to most Ifans but only quasi-foreign to Koreans. Similar to Japan in Korea. How many KPop Ifans care about AKB before PD48? But Koreans have had their share of wotas long ago. Same with the TFBoys, enough Koreans know about them that Incheon international would be flooded whenever one of them goes to Korea to make a MV or TV commercial.

 

My parents still read Korean print media and Chinese celebrities are part of a steady diet along with Korean stars.

 

I think it is probably similar to an extent in Japan and other East and SE Asian countries. CPop may not be global but it is already regional. The Thai line on the Rocket Girls is a prime example.

 

I stan the Rocket Girls and follow them mainly on Twitter and Youtube and the stream of stuff is constant and in high volumes with daily updates of pictures and videos far in excess of most Kpop groups. That can’t happen without a decent amount of international fans since Twt and YT are banned in China. I use Google Translate to keep abreast of the Thai, Arabic, Portuguese and Korean posts. (Yeah, I got kicked out of weekend Korean classes and can’t read my fucking ancestral language.)

[KevinLee]

Just please make good music, that's all I'm asking.

[Gilraen92]

Nobody outside China cares about Rocket girls or Next7.

 

Nine Percent is a different story though, since Idol Producer got a lot of attention internationally, at least way more than the girl version.

 

Idk about RG but I've seen quite a few NEX7 stans in twitter and they're all i-fans. Same with other post IP groups.

[zelenoto]

I agree, but the article is about which acts have the potential to make cpop get global attention. I don't think it ever will, but it doesn't matter because of what you said. They don't NEED to go global, their Chinese fanbases are more than enough to sustain these groups.

 

Nine Percent did get attention outside China, but from what I've seen it was mostly from kpop fans, probably the ones who already watched survival shows and were familiar with Zhengting and Justin. Wanna One wasn't as big internationally as they were in Korea because international fans just don't seem to be able to get themselves invested in temporary groups, and I think it would be the same with Nine Percent. International fans also seem to value group activities and a group bond in general, and cpop group members often do solo activities. They go long stretches of time without doing things as a group (see: TFBoys; the TFBoys stans I follow on Twitter are always pleasantly surprised whenever ot3 actually does something together). But maybe non-kpop fans could get invested in some cpop groups because, judging from the western boy groups and girl groups I've been into, their stans are a bit more likely to be okay with people only being into one member.

 

If cpop does blow up the way kpop has, I think it would be because of a solo artist like Kris or Lay. I just don't see any cpop groups getting big internationally in the near future, but that's not something they even need to worry about. With the huge domestic fanbases they have, there's no need to appeal to or cater to fans outside China.

From what I've seen Wanna One wasn't that successful with int fans not because they can't get invested in temporary groups but because their faves didnt make the cut, int fans and kfans have way too different taste when it comes to choosing the final members.

 

I also don't see why cpop should break out internationally when their domestic fanbase is big enough.

 

Sent from my SM-A510F using OneHallyu mobile app

[haruko]

Question:

 

1. Is Nine Percent a temporary group just like Wanna One?

2. How come Fan Chengcheng and Justin is in 2 groups? Nine Percent and Nex7?

3. Karry Wang is still more popular than Cai Xukun in China right or wrong?

 

Thanks

[5201314]

Question:

 

1. Is Nine Percent a temporary group just like Wanna One?

2. How come Fan Chengcheng and Justin is in 2 groups? Nine Percent and Nex7?

3. Karry Wang is still more popular than Cai Xukun in China right or wrong?

 

Thanks

Nine Percent is a temporary group ala WannaOne

 

FCC and Justin made the final group for Idol Producer. NEX7 is a permanent group created by Yuehua, of which they both belong to.

 

Karry is still more popular than Xukun. As dedicated as Kun's fans are, it's not really a comparison.

[KorAm]

From what I've seen Wanna One wasn't that successful with int fans not because they can't get invested in temporary groups but because their faves didnt make the cut, int fans and kfans have way too different taste when it comes to choosing the final members.

I also don't see why cpop should break out internationally when their domestic fanbase is big enough.

Sent from my SM-A510F using OneHallyu mobile app

Wanna One’s concerts in Asia were no joke. Those were arena concerts in Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan. There is a big difference between “Ifans†and East Asian fans (including the Chinese diaspora in SEA.) Koreans don’t consider Japanese and Chinese Ifans. They support Kpop to a far different level than the average international fan. Koreans in general return the favor. You see far more Korean coverage of Jpop and Cpop in Korean media than anywhere else in the world.

 

Wanna One is actually a good comparison for Rocket Girls or Nine Percent. They will sell out arenas in the same places in Asia Wanna did — Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and most likely Japan and Korea too. But outside East Asia not so much.

[Zhang SING fan]

Question:

 

1. Is Nine Percent a temporary group just like Wanna One?

2. How come Fan Chengcheng and Justin is in 2 groups? Nine Percent and Nex7?

3. Karry Wang is still more popular than Cai Xukun in China right or wrong?

 

Thanks

1. Yes. It is a temporary group.

 

2. I think its understandable. Think of Kyulkyung in both ioi and pristin, and Yeonjung in ioi and wjsn.

 

3. It's hard to tell. Karry is more like a idol that has made his fame long time, while Xukun is more like a newly rising idol. But one thing for sure, they are both popular, top-tier popular (among fandom)

[KorAm]

1. Yes. It is a temporary group.

2. I think its understandable. Think of Kyulkyung in both ioi and pristin, and Yeonjung in ioi and wjsn.

3. It's hard to tell. Karry is more like a idol that has made his fame long time, while Xukun is more like a newly rising idol. But one thing for sure, they are both popular, top-tier popular (among fandom)

There is a major difference. Both Kyulkyung and Yeonjung debuted with Pristin and WJSN after IOI disbanded. The Nine Percent boys from Yuehua joined their group during their tenure with Nine Percent.

[Zhang SING fan]

There is a major difference. Both Kyulkyung and Yeonjung debuted with Pristin and WJSN after IOI disbanded. The Nine Percent boys from Yuehua joined their group during their tenure with Nine Percent.

Oh thanks for the correction!