A2K (JYP) Episodes 1 - 3
Jul. 23rd, 2023 06:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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paradisediner Anyone else watching this show and want to discuss? I figured the episodes are short, so better to group them together.
I checked it out because I've been curious about how applying a kpop system would work out in the U.S., as well as how such a group would be composed and eventually marketed. (I was looking forward to seeing how "NCT Hollywood" would turn out for the same reason, but alas lol.)
Anyway, three episodes in, and we've met all the contestants. We've got a fairly broad range of ages, and the spectrum runs from "no formal training, entirely self-taught" to "a literal JYP trainee showed up." It's a fairly diverse batch in terms of ethnicity as well--which leads me to wonder how well a group like this would be accepted as "kpop" by fans within Korea and outside of it. Likewise, I wonder how much they intend to promote this group in Korea vs US. Will they even promote in Korea at all or just train there for a while? For that matter, how long do they intend to train them because some of the girls need to bake a little longer before they are ready to begin a pop career.
My other main thought about this show is that it kinda comes across as JYP's (the man, not the company) vanity project. It's almost a one-man show? He was the sole final judge for all the contestants (and we never saw who was screening them prior to his stage), and it looks the LA bootcamp portion will be portrayed similarly. They couldn't (wouldn't?) source anyone else from within the company (or outside it) to also show up as a judge or mentor or just random guest star? I know they are limited because it's an English-speaking show, but come on... Maybe other people will show up eventually, but right now it kinda feels weird watching a show of this scale, but it's just the contestants and one dude.
I checked it out because I've been curious about how applying a kpop system would work out in the U.S., as well as how such a group would be composed and eventually marketed. (I was looking forward to seeing how "NCT Hollywood" would turn out for the same reason, but alas lol.)
Anyway, three episodes in, and we've met all the contestants. We've got a fairly broad range of ages, and the spectrum runs from "no formal training, entirely self-taught" to "a literal JYP trainee showed up." It's a fairly diverse batch in terms of ethnicity as well--which leads me to wonder how well a group like this would be accepted as "kpop" by fans within Korea and outside of it. Likewise, I wonder how much they intend to promote this group in Korea vs US. Will they even promote in Korea at all or just train there for a while? For that matter, how long do they intend to train them because some of the girls need to bake a little longer before they are ready to begin a pop career.
My other main thought about this show is that it kinda comes across as JYP's (the man, not the company) vanity project. It's almost a one-man show? He was the sole final judge for all the contestants (and we never saw who was screening them prior to his stage), and it looks the LA bootcamp portion will be portrayed similarly. They couldn't (wouldn't?) source anyone else from within the company (or outside it) to also show up as a judge or mentor or just random guest star? I know they are limited because it's an English-speaking show, but come on... Maybe other people will show up eventually, but right now it kinda feels weird watching a show of this scale, but it's just the contestants and one dude.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-24 04:36 pm (UTC)The good news is that quite late in Nizi Project's run, they did have guest judges from Twice in episodes 9 and 10 of the first season, so there's still a chance for guest judging to happen.
Just guessing again based on how NiziU turned out, I wouldn't be surprised if they just didn't bother to promote in Korea for quite a while.
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Date: 2023-07-24 07:51 pm (UTC)It's interesting to see how many contestants on Nizi are former idols or trainees at JYP/other companies (makes sense given it's Japan), whereas for A2K there is one person with formal experience as trainee, one contestant who attended a Korean dance academy for a couple of weeks, and then the rest either are part of the kpop dance fan scene here in the U.S. or seemingly have very little practice with kpop specifically. Some of the girls have ambitiously begun solo pop careers of their own (as is more common in the U.S., it seems) or they seem to come from a musical theater or ballet background. We just don't have an idol industry here, which is why I'm so curious to see how this show will go and what the group it produces is like.
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Date: 2023-07-25 12:47 pm (UTC)That does sound like a really interesting point of comparison! South East Asia has such an, hmm, expectation of idols that I imagine it will be really interesting to see how that kind of system lands in the US. You've definitely convinced me I need to make time for this A2K.
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Date: 2023-07-24 08:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-07-25 04:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-07-25 06:01 pm (UTC)I think you're absolutely right re: this feeling like a JYP vanity project, and honestly, as evidenced by Other Reality Shows that I won't deign to name, so much of whether a contestant is "good" or "bad" is contained in the cut. I don't think this is going to be as bad as other reality shows, but this definitely doesn't feel objective. At least in the latest episode there was mention of other people backstage who were judging, but it equally gave us no idea as to who those people are and their relevant qualifications. My feelings will be very different whether it's a PA who gets to make the final choice between two of the girls vs. someone who is qualified in some way to be judging.
I'm also just left wondering, much like you, where they'll promote!! Are they going to be English-only and aimed at Western markets? We know JYP has been desperate to break into the US market since Wonder Girls, but I'm just wondering how it'll actually all turn out, especially since the US/Western market isn't all that interested in girl groups (see: Fifth Harmony, Little Mix, and then indie projects like BOYS WORLD). If it's aiming at k-pop girl group fans in the West, that's a pretty niche market; although I get the impression that groups can be sustained pretty well through international fans (like LOONA was/is, hahah) it also involves a very dedicated and organised fanbase and also some element of market buy-in back home in Korea. I know the actual money to get this up and running is there because it's not like JYPE is doing badly or anything, but... hm. It'll be super interesting to see how this turns out.
Also, beyond all of that, US pop music sounds sonically very different from k-pop. Is the music going to sound "Americanised"? I think honestly the music will be the thing to make or break them (alongside insane production value, as that's what people in the West expect from our music videos etc etc) because I also think mainstream Western audiences are significantly less willing to listen to cute bubblegum pop. (I mean, cute bubblegum pop slaps, but that's beside the point.)
Anyway: I really appreciate this post and the opportunity to share my thoughts somewhere. I'm going to keep watching because my interest has been piqued and I'm nosy, hahahahaha.
no subject
Date: 2023-08-04 03:46 am (UTC)As for the promotion question, I watched a video from a girl who tried out for the show, and she was under the impression that they group would be primarily/solely promoting in the U.S. No idea if she was right, but if so, I do fear that such a group would be doomed. As you say, the U.S. market isn't especially interested in girl groups, and I don't think there is much mainstream appetite here for the kind of girl group music that kpop generally produces. That said, anything is possible if you throw a lot of money into it and/or find the perfect angle to apply leverage... time will tell how it all turns out, and I will be tuned in for it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I published the post for the next three episodes to this community, if you're still caught up and have more thoughts to share. :)