What would you consider as "fair" line distribution?

[probee]

1) Based on position

It is fair if the main vocal/rapper would always be on top 1-3, at times the leads can snatch the top spot; sub-vocal/sub-rapper and dance line get 2-3 short lines, with a 30+ second gap to members on the top positions. 

2) Based on popularity

It is fair if the popular member/s would get a huge amount of line (mostly visual, maknae, center) despite they are sub-position or dance line; not necessarily top 1, but around top 3. With this, they can maintain their relevancy (if not yet super established)

3) Based on amount of line of every member

Screw position and popularity! It is fair if most members, if not all, get almost equal amount of line, even he/she doesn't sound pleasing.

Edited August 17, 2020 by probee

[starsocks]

Partly based on position, but mostly based on the amount of lines per member imo. 

But it also depends on the number of members too and how many of each position they have.

[Walmart Goddess]

Popularity and position should both play a part. In Weki Meki, they keep letting the nugu member hog all the lines, which is holding them back. They should have let Elly and Yoojung sing more

[DiSsOrGaNiZeDsUsHi]

Hyoyeon barely got any lines or no lines (group or harmony doesn't count). Granted she is SNSD's main dancer but still.

[spopo]

Mostly position/skills.  I feel like some people believe that a "fair" distribution is one where all members have equal time singing, and that's pretty ridiculous.  Positions exist for a reason.  Main vocalists focus on singing and maybe don't dance as hard.  Main dancers have fewer lines so they can dance harder without having to worry about tons of lines.  And a group member who's maybe less talented should maybe take a backseat until they can get their skills up, not get the same amount of lines as a trained singer just because it's "fair."

That being said, I do strongly believe that you aren't going to give your members any lines at all (which seems to be not uncommon practice) then they shouldn't be part of the group at all.

[Yukihime]

1 and 3. 

I know that the popular member would attract more, but 2 Always bothered me. The members are already popular so do they need all the spotlight ? In this case what is left for the less popular members ? In this case just let the popular one go solo or create a subunit if they're the only one needed.

[BlessMeAchoo]

I think to be fair it should be based on both position and the number of lines each member gets. Obviously the main vocal should get the most lines, but that doesn't mean that they have to have disporportionatley more lines so that some members only get like 1 word in a song. Giving the popular members more lines would just make it even harder for the less popular members to get more recognition.

[deliriousness]

“Fair” is giving each member at least one good part, so they can show their individual charm. Of course, the more members in the group, the harder it is. If they choose to give more lines to a member because of their position or popularity, either way is fair to me, though of course I’d go for position. 

lemme post some examples.
 

Spoiler

 

I’ll use a classic as an example:

Gee has fair line distribution, Some members only get one line, but because of how the song is structured, they are able to show their charms well. 
 

 Beautiful Stranger has unfair distribution, Yoona Hyoyeon and Sooyoung have no real lines. Not a huge deal since it is not a single.

 

Though “fair” is not always “good” there are a lot of cases where I think “hm, she should switch parts with this member, it would sound better” 

Edited August 17, 2020 by marin karin

[deobizone]

Honestly based on position. I think line distrib videos are cool but sp cringe how much pity there is for lowest member in comments.  Its only pitiful if they got no lines which barely ever happens.

Id say combo of 1 & 2 also tho

[eli]

position, skill and number of members... nothing annoys me more than ppl who complain that their main dancer fav only got "10 seconds of lines" in a group with 10+ members (but prob did get a center position in a dance break)

[Bluebells and Snowdrops]

Personally, I think skill and positions are the most important factors. I would rather listen to a song that sounds good, but the members don’t have equal lines, than a song where all the members have the same amount of lines, but some do them clearly can’t handle it. Members shouldn’t be given more than they can handle while sounding good, not even in the name of “fairness”

I’d say a “fair” distribution is where the lines are distributed to the members that best fits/can handle them. Main/lead vocals/rappers should get more than normal/sub vocals/rappers, since those positions indicate that they are better at that skill. Dancers who can’t handle too many lines, should get compensated with center time in the dance, IMO.

[love]

7 hours ago, BlessMeAchoo said:

I think to be fair it should be based on both position and the number of lines each member gets. Obviously the main vocal should get the most lines, but that doesn't mean that they have to have disporportionatley more lines so that some members only get like 1 word in a song. Giving the popular members more lines would just make it even harder for the less popular members to get more recognition.

my thoughts exactly ^

main vocal should get priority with especially difficult or technical parts, but the other members shouldn’t be getting up at 4 am, having their hair and makeup done, going through (potentially) grueling choreography, all for 3 seconds of lines