Super Junior member Eunhyuk has been serving for 21 months at Gangwon-do military band and around 500 people gathered near his home and abroad to celebrate Eunhyuk's discharge from the troop. Also at the Seoul Regional Police Agency Police Promotion Team, fellow member Donghae celebrated his discharge from the service where fans all over the country greeted him. Super Junior boy band still remains popular as ever.
Both Eunhyuk and Donghae have completed military services side by side as they reunited again as Super Junior members. On the 27th and 28th of July, the duo will attend SM Town concert in Tokyo Dome. Though Super Junior members are reunited on stage but three youngest members who are still currently fulfilling mandatory services. SuJu who made their debut in 2005. They started off with 13 members and became the biggest boy band of the second generation idol group.
The number of members increased by two to three times compared to the first generation idol groups such as H.O.T, G.O.D and Sechs Kies Therefore, it is not easy thing to remember the names of each member. Memorising the number of members has became a quiz.
Although SuJu is one of the most famous idol group, it is still a bizarre not to know who is who and how many members in the group.
On 18th July, Hallyu group EXO has released their 4th album with nine members. When EXO debut in the music industry in 2012, there were also twelve members but three left the group not long. Each individual in EXO has only four seconds to perform or shine in front of the camera as there were so many members. So everyone has to do their best to stand out.
◇ Idol member with 10 members.
The number of idol group members is definitely increasing. Girl group TWICE (9 members), made their debut in 2015 with hit single T_T this year but the song has already became history.
This year 's debut group is somehow ready for playing baseball with that many members. The rookie idol group VARSITY (12 members) and PRISTIN (10 members). And the upcoming girl group Good Day which is about to debut has 12 members.
During the first-generation idol group- H.O.T, Sechs Kies, G.O.D- the number of members were about 5 people. Fans will be insane with their so-called "Oppa" and the max would probably be just eight members. Lately the minimum for a group would likely be 10 people.
Super Junior sets a role model as they started at the time with thirteen members while Japanese group SMAP- since 1988 have been active in various fields such as acting, performing arts as well as singing.
SuJu members are actively participating as emcees and in variety programs. They are well versatile in vocal and dance skills. Currently fellow members Lee Teuk, Hee Chul and Shin Dong are all actively involved in variety shows.
◇Why does the number of members keep increasing?
As the channels head through popular culture is consumed with diversified contents therefore the idol group members who can start digesting them.
Uncertainty of K-pop is not the main cause but the popularity of Korean pop culture is getting higher and it is necessary to satisfy various needs. This will eventually synergizes the team's awareness and popularity. tVN's drama Reply 1988 has impacted Girls' Day Hyeri into a popular actress from an idol group. AOA girl group with 7 members are also enjoying popularity with dramas and CFs endorsements.
Sometimes when singing doesn't seem to do well, they tend to lean towards acting whereby ZE:A's 7-member Im Si Wan has established himself as a popular actor rather than singer.
◇Sub-units and teams among members
The multi-member structure also creates synergy in the stage of the main field. Some of the members of the team are working together. There is a growing preference among the various members because it is possible to show a different colour.
Super Junior has the most active unit activities from Super Junior KRY which is a vocal line, and Super Junior-D & E, which is a duo unit of Donghae and Eunhyuk. Hallyu group Big Bang has G-Dragon and TOP as a sub-unit. Girls' Generation of 9 members formed a sub-unit Tatiseo of 3 members consisting Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun. Orange Caramel was a 3 member sub-group from After School.
◇ Management is difficult and members leaving.
With a large number of members in group, it makes it difficult to manage everyone.
In the case of SuJu, fellow member Ki Bum debut in the group and decided to stay hiatus for sometime while pursuing in acting career. And Chinese member Han Gyung left the group with court case against the agency.
When EXO started with 12 members, however 3 Chinese members Kris, Luhan and Tao left abruptly creating chaos in the activities. Fans were bitter and the only remaining Chinese member is Lay who is actively doing separate activities in China. EXO and Super Junior still remained one of the most popular boy bands however most teams have lost out due to drop outs and court cases. Even Girls' Generation Jessica Jung has left the group to seek solo activities. With frequent withdrawal of members from the group, the question lies whether where is their loyalty to the co and members?
No comments:
Post a Comment