190612 The Ups and Downs of 10th Year Idols: 'The Idol of Idols' - How To Survive Like Shinhwa?
‘7-year Jinx’ or ‘7-year Curse’ is the term now all K-pop fans know. However, while this expression is familiar, it is uncomfortable at the same time. This is because most idol groups that reach the end of contract duration have naturally disbanded as most agencies follow the Fair Trade Commission’s standard of 7-year maximum for contract duration.
However, not all idol groups are like that. As the influence of K-pop has been growing recently, there are groups that survive for more than 7 years.
Debut in 2014, global idol group GOT7 was positive about renewing its contract in an interview for their mini album ‘Spinning Top’. In the interview, Jinyoung from GOT7 said “Now the ‘7-Year Curse’ is gone right? We never thought of going separate way even once.”
If that is the case, how is the status of idol groups that debuted in the early 2010s which now have reached their 10th year this year? SportsQ tried to look at their current status.
# ‘The Idol of Idols’ - How To Survive Like Shinhwa?
As if it feels like 10th year idol groups are hard to come by, there is a group that has been maintaining the team and performing for twice more the years.
Shinhwa, the boy idol group that SM Entertainment created in 1998 has been writing ‘legend’ in the music industry even till today. Their lifespan has exceeded 7000 days and they will reach 8000 days since debut next year.
Whenever idol members receive questions from reporters during showcases or interviews regarding performance duration, the senior group that they always mention like a ‘macro answer’ (t/n: auto-like answer) is ‘Shinhwa.’
Consisting of 6 members, the 22-year-old male idol group Shinhwa has been active since debut without a member withdrawal or substitution. Along with group’s activities, Eric and Kim Dong-wan have established their own successful acting career. Jun Jin and Andy have become more prominent and get closer to the public through big and small variety shows. Lee Min-woo, who is in charge of production, and Shin Hye-sung, the main vocalist, have continued their individual activities with their musical talents.
Unlike recent idol members, who appeal to certain generations, Shinhwa has been receiving love and attention from a wide range of audience as they continue to expand their range of activities. So, what is Shinhwa’s secret of longevity according to the people who are close to them?
An official from Shinhwa, Mr. J, responded with a smile to the reporter’s ‘obvious question’ by saying “Reporters always ask about Shinhwa’s secret of longevity whenever there is news about disbandment of idol groups.” The official also shared, “It is not true that there are fewer conflicts in Shinhwa. According to the members, they have had many fights and conflict of opinions but they said ‘How to resolve and make up after conflicts are important.’ They always have acknowledgement and trust among one another even if they don’t need to express or say anything.”
Just like Mr. J’s comments, fans also pointed out that Shinhwa has had quite a numbers of disbandment crises. The first crisis happened in 2003 when the contract with SM Entertainment came to an end. However Shinhwa unitedly got together and moved to a new company (Good Ent.). In the following year, 2004, they won Daesang for their title song from the 7th official album ‘Brand New’.
As the management was de-listed in 2011, Shinhwa experienced another disbandment crisis. However they continue on and established their own company, Shinhwa Company. Until now Shinhwa has been loved steadily due to their policy of prioritizing group’s activities while respecting individual activities.
The Shinhwa’s official, Mr. J, also said, “With Eric as the group’s leader, Shinhwa is a team that values the opinions of individual members. Eric does not talk a lot but he pays attention to the members’ stories and respects their individual thoughts. Other members contribute their own opinions and ideas but they tend to prioritize and follow leader Eric’s opinion at crucial moments.”
He explained “Lastly, the most important thing is that all members prioritize group’s activities first. They like to say that the 6 of them always fight with one another but they make up with mutual empathy, trust, and thoughtfulness without holding onto any hard feelings.”
At Shinhwa’s press conference for their 20th Anniversary Special Album ‘HEART’ in August last year, Kim Dong-wan expressed a light complaint saying “We are not just a group with longevity. Please look at our achievements and results.” However, the symbolism behind the time they have protected the group is more than just the numbers.
Even SMAP, a famous Japanese idol group which seemed to last forever, also disbanded after its 25th Anniversary in 2016. Isn’t it all fans’ wish for the idol members, who left strong memories like their first love, to remain idol forever? I wish to see more idol members continue to be active in the entertainment industry with good performances even if they are no longer in a group.
Source: SportsQ
Translation: EricMun.tumblr
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