NU’EST in Produce 101
Let me begin with my feelings about NU’EST before I began Produce 101 Season 2.
I still remember their debut in 2012. Back then I was utter kpop trash and I really really really enjoyed their debut. (Also, can I mention how young they were?? The four of them, Ren, Minhyun, Baekho, & JR were 17 for crying out loud) It was promising and I quickly learned their names and felt inclined to be their fan going forward. Their next release after “Face”, “Action”, wasn’t all that great to me, so my interest for them died just a little bit. As they kept releasing more music, their songs were either a hit or a miss for me. Some personal favorites would definitely include “여보세요(Hello)”, “I’m Bad”, and “여왕의 기사(Overcome)”. They also have a few albums tracks that are really good, too. But clearly, the majority of their music did not appeal to me as time passed. And it’s not like I found this to be an issue. I knew that when they did release good music, it’d be exceptional. And if they didn’t, well, maybe next time then. Regardless, I always felt like I was a decent follower of their’s. And so, when it was announced that they would be participating in Produce 101, I was quite baffled above anything else. I thought that maybe this was some kind of publicity stunt. Why else would they have any reason to do this?
Upon reading some articles and posts, it has been stated that the members’ decision to participate in the show was one that was made purely on their own. I have no way of measuring the validity of this, but let’s just take it as so. Before NU’EST even walked in, it started to pique me, to imagine their presence among these, excuse my language but… these noobs. Once they really did enter, their vibes were already so different; they definitely carried themselves with more...dignity?? Upon sitting down, Minhyun even whispered quietly to the members, “Humble, we must stay humble”.
Before they began their ranking performance, trainees within the crowd kept repeating “it’s unfair. this is unfair, they have a fanbase, they have experience. it’s so unfair for us”. And then the program proceeded to show us why exactly NU’EST is in the show to begin with. And let me tell you, my heart broke into millions of pieces.
They called themselves failures. They said they wanted to be like “Seventeen ae-deul”. They said they could see the end, the point where they disband and NU’EST ceases to exist. They said that this is their last chance to succeed.
So may I mention a few prying thoughts, fellow trainees? Do you know what’s unfair?
The fact that these boys debuted 5 years ago, with countless albums to call their own, yet they are deemed a failure, by their very own company, too.
The fact that they have to go to this extent, competing against nameless trainees, being compared to boys with questionable skills, just to get another shot at success.
The fact that since they debuted 5 years ago, they carry on their backs an extremely heavy burden to be really really really good.
And if they’re not good enough? Well, then they’re looked down upon. And pitied. And devalued. Other trainees, they have a fresh start. Zero expectations. Plenty of space to blow the crowd away. NU’EST? I didn’t think so.
I couldn’t stand it. Watching everyone give them such pitiful looks, watching their cruel story unfold. Was this the same group that released a mini album a mere 7 months ago? And yes, it was. That’s the larger problem here.
For the longest time I was extremely perturbed about the stubborn infatuation the new kpop generation has for MV views, music show votes, album sales, and more. Comments sections were always laced with these repetitive, obnoxious, pushy demands for increasing numbers of any sort related to a group. But now I feel I kinda get why.
Because these numbers measure success. And clearly, NU’EST, despite being 5-year idols, never had these numbers in their favor. I always appreciate the lesser known artists, the ones with small numbers, the underrated ones. I have an extra profound love for them because they are such beautiful gems hidden under a layer of mainstream music. But I never realized the risk of being such a gem. The vulnerability that these artists face goes beyond not enough sales or not enough recognition, but it comes down to existence. Without strength in numbers, these artists will cease to exist. And that kind of reality is too harsh. For kpop to set such standards, I shun it. If anything, this has already given me further reason to fall out of love with kpop. The underrated groups can be underappreciated to an extent where a company no longer sees them as profitable, and cuts them off. Plain and simple. Because everything in kpop, everything, comes down to money. That’s a fact.
And so, going back to NU’EST, their story is crucial to me because it shows this process to the public. It whisks the tarp off this dusty, but dangerous relic of problems, and forces viewers to think. This goes beyond the unfortunate events of a single group, but tackles the industry as a whole. These boys, have been mistreated and miserable to this extent. And it’s not okay.
What I fear the most is that, people will assume that with the existence of NU’EST’s fanbase, they won’t need to vote. But that gives all the more reason to vote. For the first time since watching this show (including season 1), I really actually wanted to vote. Just for NU’EST. Unfortunately, foreign fans have no power in this season. Which means all I can do is watch uneasily as the weeks go by. And hope the Korean viewers can save these boys before it’s too late.
Like I mentioned before, this group isn’t my all-time favorite group or anything. But I do have pieces of my heart attached to them. And so, very frankly, watching this unfold was too much for me. I can’t imagine what it would be like for actual fans, for the real fans, to see their favorite group in this state. I was exactly like Kahi. I am so very sorry that they have to face this. My heart shatters a million times for them.
So please, please, pleaseeee, by all means. Don’t stop showing support for NU’EST. Shower them with love. Show them appreciation. And don’t let another 2nd generation kpop group fade into darkness just because we were all too busy obsessing over newer groups. Please.
NU’EST, don’t give up just yet.
