Seems like there’s a lot of misinformation going around, so gather round kids.
Korean management style/corporate culture is very different from others. Compared to Western management style, it’s more centralized and family-centric. They form a family-like work culture and the management’s decision-making power is centered in the board of directors and above. Here’s a snippet, but you can read more about it here and here.
Being an idol is a job. It’s a career choice that they made, what they’ve always wanted, what they agreed and signed a contract for, what they trained for. Idols are basically a product manufactured to profit from a specific target audience. They conform to their employers, they make the best out of their career, and at the same time enjoy it because it’s what they’re passionate about. Business is business and work is work. And just like how a business operates, you take risks and make the most out of your products without violating labor laws. That’s just the way life is. Simple.
“YG family is dead.” First of all, YG is a company. It has bosses and employees, artists and staff. However, you can’t rule out the fact that co-workers, bosses, producers, dancers, staff and artists who have worked/trained together for so many years can see each other as a family. You see it with the seniors and juniors, with the dancers, the managers, the staff, the former artists etc. You could actually read the testimonials of YG employees on their website. And again, it’s part of their corporate culture.
We each have our own opinions about Yang Hyun Suk but at the end of the day, the artists respect him. They’re the ones directly working with him. Seungri has defended YHS, BIGBANG have said that they understand that it’s just his job, Bom has shared her diary in public and has been telling people that YHS is good to her CL, Dara, WINNER, producers and more. If the artists (the ones who personally know him) are thankful and respect him, who are we to impose on how they should feel?
Your faves are not stuck in a “dungeon.” Just because we don’t see them on camera, doesn’t mean they’re slacking off. They’re given time to invest in themselves and their craft. So when you say that your fave is stuck in the dungeon, you’re not insulting YG - you’re downplaying your faves’ hard work and you’re not trusting them. Think about that. When you stan a YG artist, patience, understanding and fan loyalty are very important.
With the number of artists YG has, they’re pretty much understaffed. Managers are re-assigned from one group to another, producers are always the same, dancers are the same, and production-wise…everything is done manually. Basically, EVERYTHING TAKES TIME AND EVERYONE GETS THEIR TURN, so be patient.
When an artist isn’t promoting actively, they either work on new songs, attend events/festivals, have photoshoots, have individual activities, have fitness training, language lessons, vocal lessons, dance lessons, go abroad to work with other producers, go to song camp, work on their stage presence or spend time with their families. They still have schedules even on hiatus.
No YG group is ever alike. Each YG artist has their own concept/branding/aesthetics. At YG, they always make sure to follow that concept. BIGBANG’s concept is BIGBANG’s, 2NE1′s is 2NE1′s, WINNER is WINNER, iKON is iKON, Blackpink is Blackpink.
Regardless of who made the song (whether a producer or another YG artist/trainee), if it doesn’t fit your faves’ style/image - then it’s not going to them. That or they’ll turn it into a collab to add an oomph factor. Stop making up unnecessary beef between artists. Again, YG always follows the branding of each artist. Songs are always passed around within the label. Lies was supposed to be a solo, but turned out to be a group song. GD and TOP recorded Just Another Boy, but was given to WINNER and iKON. Bom’s song from years ago was given to Hayi, etc.
YG’s comeback plans actually depend on the artist. Comeback plans happen AFTER there are enough songs made that could satisfy the artist, the group’s image/sound and the company’s brand. The artist has to make a lot of songs first. The songs are all screened, then given feedback (whether from composers, YHS or other YG artists), then revised all over again. It’s the typical extensive approval process when you work in any company in the creative field. Also, you have to consider the timing, which artist is best suited to comeback first, which songs/concept would best fit the season, how many good songs are there to make an album, etc.
“My faves were shipped to Japan/overseas.” Yes. That’s because YGEX exists. It’s literally the same formula every time. Promote in Korea, then go overseas to promote/tour, then make a comeback again in Korea. As long as YGE has that partnership, YG artists will always get sent to Japan or abroad or will be touring at some point in their career. It’s their company strategy since 2007.
TV Show appearances mostly depend on PDs and broadcasting stations. You can’t expect the company to pull some strings just because you want your faves to appear on shows. If the PDs and the station don’t want you on their show, then they don’t. Also, the company’s relationship with the station is a factor.
Petitions or boycotts will never work for YG. Seriously, this is the most counterproductive thing that fans could do. It’s not only making look fans entitled, but it’s also going to make your faves look bad. It won’t help your faves get the support they need either or the profit that they should be making for themselves and for the company.
Charts are very unpredictable. Even the artists themselves can’t predict how their song will turn out. They can only hope for the best - especially with chart systems changing these days.
In a bigger perspective, it isn’t as bad as others make it sound. The artists get to create music in a comfortable pace, they have a great work environment, supportive co-workers, they’re given facilities/resources to work on their creativity, some get to manage their own sub-label, they don’t have lawsuits, they get royalties, they can be YouTubers (Dara and Suhyun), others have company shares and they aren’t underpaid. Even former artists aren’t blocked from appearing in music shows. Each agency has its own formula when it comes to promoting, yes. Some are questionable, yes. But with YGE, it still works in spite of the long hiatuses because the artists adapt.
Lastly and most importantly, I’m not dismissing your frustrations. I understand. I know it’s hard, but all I’m saying is…appreciate and support your faves while you still can. You can never tell how much longer they’ll be in the industry.
jbbartram-illu
izzy806
pixelskylines
discoholicmusic
tangentwithtanner
prguitarman
