The male solo singers have all gone missing in action.
This is the time when idol groups dominate the music scene. Even the male solo singers like Rain and Lee SeungHwan who released album and promoted earlier this year, it is visible that they are struggling against the domination of the idol singers.
This has something to do with the structure and how the Kpop industry works. We see how the lifetime of songs in the market has been shortened recently. At the same time, there has been too much power going to the broadcast companies as well as the major label firms in the market. The major labels are also pushing more exciting and fun Kpop content at a faster rate into the market.
An expert from the Kpop industry commented, “At this point in time, in order to achieve results in this market, it is easier to do so with idol groups than with solo singers. Groups with various members possessing various charms will appeal to the target audience better and there is good potential for unique and solo activities in the future.”
The phenomenon is such that even though the smaller labels will release their solo singers’ albums, they will not get as much support from the broadcast companies as much as major labels with idol groups get.
Even when the group members come out with solo album, the level of fan service is just as close. Because the amount of activities for solo album is little. So we see many cases where such solo activities will last only about 1~2 weeks. In the end, the music fans will still go with the option of more diversity.
But with the autumn season approaching, we may see the change in trend in the market. Lined up for activities coming August~September are male ballad singers like Park HyoShin, HwiSung, Sung SiKyung, Kim TaeWoo, Kim BumSoo etc. Singer HwanHee is also going to release a minialbum in August after his recent digital single ‘I will be in more pain’. Psy will also comeback after so long with an album this coming autumn season.
The industry expert commented, “Dance hits from idols are popular for the hot summer season but in autumn, we will see the solo male singers coming back with the ballad songs which is more ideal for the season, adding more diversity to the Kpop scene.”
S:KyungJaeToday
Credits: KBites
one vote for shayne kay would be so much appreciated ^^
