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A daily article on global humanities and geography
WeChat public account: Earth Knowledge Bureau
NO.2009 - Korean idol industry
Author: Narisu
Draft: Gu Hanyi / Editor: Zhang Zhangzhang
Since the end of the last century, Korean pop culture has slowly gained a market in neighboring countries, and with the launch of various idol groups, the Korean Wave has ushered in a big outbreak in Asia, and the country is no exception, appearing in all aspects of people's lives in an all-round way, so that those who do not understand Korean pop culture do not know why.
Korean audio-visual works are sought after by many young people
The sale of copyrights, concerts, and especially peripheral products has generated huge economic gains
(Photo: One Map Network)▼
After 2017, the Hallyu wave gradually faded away in the lives of Chinese. But the East is not bright in the West, and the European and American markets have begun to show interest in K-pop culture, from Uncle Bird, who cooperated with European and American celebrities, to "Parasite" winning the Oscar, to the idol boy group topped the Billborad list, the K-pop culture has successfully gone global.
This is a GIF with sound
(Photo: Youtube@officialpsy)▼
The K-pop culture can achieve the breadth of today's spread, but it is not only by handsome men and beautiful women. Instead, it relies on the huge and complete level of cultural industry, accurate promotion strategy and strong support from the political consortium behind it. Behind the road to cultural promotion in South Korea is the mobilization of the national war level and the desperate gamble.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="21" > a desperate bet, cultural nation</h1>
The modern history of South Korea began at the end of the Korean War, when South Korea was devastated and in ruins, almost one of the poorest countries in the world.
In 1961, South Korea's per capita GDP was $93.8, about one-fifth of the world average at the time, and one-third of north-easter north Korea's neighbor, which is poorer than some of the poor African countries we now recognize.
The war destroyed a quarter of South Korea's buildings
The economy was devastated and it survived thanks to U.S. aid
(Post-war Seoul, photo: wiki)▼
During the Syngman Rhee administration, South Korea was desperate for even the secondary industry, let alone the cultural industry. But this government has also done a lot of work, literacy, road construction, construction of power supply facilities... These policies also laid the foundation for South Korea's subsequent rise.
However, at that time, "reunification" was still a thorn in the hearts of Koreans, including Rhee
His principle is to unify first and then build later
If "building south Korea alone" would upset him
(1954 Northbound Unification Demonstrations, Photo: wiki)▼
The person who really got South Korea out of poverty was the third president, Park Chung-hee. Many consider him a dictator, but he holds a high status in the hearts of South Koreans, and this sentiment even pushed his daughter Park Geun-hye to be elected president.
If you've seen "The Ministers of Nanshan"
This scene will not be forgotten
(Photo: Ministers of Nanshan).)
Since coming to power in 1961, Park Chung-hee has followed the example of socialist countries in implementing the Five-Year Plan. Under the grand blueprint of President Park, South Korea has entered a new era from industry to finance to international trade.
Throughout the 1960s, however, Park Chung-hee's economic policies had little effect. Lack of capital, lack of technology, and lack of its own advantageous industries have made South Korea's economic development difficult.
In order to obtain initial funds, South Korea began a large number of labor exports. Thousands of domestic laborers were transported to the Middle East and West Germany to do construction, miners, etc., in exchange for valuable foreign exchange for the country, and the original accumulation of capital was achieved.
South Korea sent nearly 10,000 miners and nurses to West Germany
And thus received hundreds of millions of yuan of economic assistance
(In 1964, Park Chung-hee visited West Germany and specifically visited local workers.)
(Photo: wiki)▼
In the 1970s, the United States was mired in the Vietnam War. For the United States, it was a major mistake in the process of wrestling with the Soviet Union. But for the little brother in the American camp in Asia, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. During the Vietnam War, South Korea sent troops to help the United States, in exchange for a large number of military orders, and ushered in a wave of great development through loans to Britain, Greece and other Western countries, technology transfer, etc.
Send troops to exchange orders and strive to be a good little brother of big brother
Economically, South Korea took off rapidly and created the "Miracle of the Han River". In terms of culture, there has also been great progress. The Park Chung-hee government realized that cultural development can greatly promote economic development. In 1973, South Korea issued the Five-Year Plan for the Revitalization of Literature and Art, which focused on the state's investment in supporting artists' creation, the protection of cultural heritage, and radio and television propaganda.
In the 1980s, South Korea's economic growth slowed relatively, and national income increased significantly. Many of the world-renowned Korean companies such as Samsung, LG, Hyundai, etc. have taken shape. But the Korean Peninsula is sparsely populated and resource-scarce, and the living standards of tens of millions of South Koreans are among the lowest in countries with the same income. South Korea's economy and society have fallen into the trap of "high growth and low development". If you want to break the magic barrier, you also need to open up new industries.
At that time, Li Bingzhe probably would not have thought of it
After thirty years, South Korea became the "Republic of Samsung"
(Photo: shutterstock)▼
In 1986, Congressman Lee Sang-jae proposed the concept of "cultural nation-building" as one of the basic strategies for Korea's advancement. The South Korean government has also published the "Long-term Vision for Cultural Development", which shifts the target of cultural policy from creators to consumers. The strategy of attracting teenagers and cultivating "die-hard fans" was planned at that time.
At the end of the last century, Soviet culture declined, and American popular culture swept the world. Kim Young-sam, then President of South Korea, exclaimed, "A Jurassic Park movie makes the equivalent of selling 1.5 million Sanata cars." Recognizing the high added value of the cultural industry, Korea began to unswervingly follow the path of cultural nationhood.
Life finds a way, including South Korea
(Photo: Jurassic Park).)
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="214" > idol industry, from scratch</h1>
Under the guidance of policies and the influence of social culture, The first popular culture for teenagers in South Korea emerged in the late 1980s.
During the Cold War, rock and roll was a representative of the rebellious spirit. Hallyu culture also began with rock 'n' roll.
My friend, the answer is blowing in the wind
Chinese rock comes from the army compound, while South Korean rock comes from U.S. military bases. Shin Jung-hyun, known as the godfather of Korean rock, came into contact with rock and blues when he served on a U.S. military base, and later embarked on the road of music, bringing modern pop music to South Korea.
In the beginning, Shin Chong-hyun's musical path was very difficult, and no one in Korea listened to rock and roll. In order to survive, he began to write songs for the "Labor Army Condolence Group" in Vietnam. Since then, Korean artists have had a tradition of labor.
Because of the song "Beautiful Mountains"
Shin Chung-hyun was imprisoned by the Park Chung-hee regime and is the father of rock and roll
(Photo: Twitter@HuffPostKorea)▼
In 1985, The most influential rock band in Korea, Boo Hwal, was formed, leading Korea's earliest pop culture. To this day, the members of the Resurrection Band have a low rank of heavenly king in South Korea. The first lead singer, Kim Jong-suk, was called "Choi Kin of Korea", and the second lead singer Lee Seung-chul was almost unknown to everyone, and Korean media said that "every Korean family has had one or two albums by Lee Seung-chul".
Last year marked the 35th anniversary of Lee Seung-cheol's debut
He also collaborated with Girls' Generation Kim Tae-yeon on My Love
(Photo: Twitter@SNSDChartsbr)▼
Anyone who knows Korean pop culture should know the "Fire Truck Band", the earliest popular boy group in Korea, which was founded in 1987. The emergence of this group marked the beginning of the transition of Korean pop culture from rock and roll to pop, and singers from musicians to youth idols.
Although looking at this stage now is a very old feeling
But at that time, the Youth Brigade, fire trucks, and Tigers were in a pandemic in their respective countries
It also proves the success of the path of "idol groups"
(图: Youtube@Ex-Song TV)▼
In 1983, Shin Chung-hyun's son formed South Korea's first heavy metal rock band, Sinawe, with Seo Tae-chi as a bassist, and Then Seo-chi left the band because he disagreed with other people's ideas. In the early 1990s, he formed a new group with two breakdancing teenagers, Leung Hyun-seok and Lee Juno, "Seo Tae-chi and the Children". This is regarded as the first modern K-POP group, borrowing from the hottest idol of the time, Michael Jackson, and the form of dance music + rap quickly occupied the market as soon as it appeared.
Seo Tae-chi was also known at the time as "Michael Jackson of Korea"
The group's debut album broke millions of sales
(Back cover of the debut album "Xu Taizhi and the Children")
(Photo: Twitter@cyberia_mix)▼
Of the three, Lee Juno was imprisoned, and Xu Taizhi was kept out of the public eye as a pure musician. Leung Hyun-seok, on the other hand, set up his own YG entertainment company, which we are familiar with, Uncle Bird, BIGBANG's Quan Jilong, Lee Shengli, the girl group 2Ne1, BLACKPINK, including China's Wang Yibo and others, all from his training.
YG has frequently broken scandals in recent years
Li Shengli single-handedly overturned the Korean entertainment industry
Aside from YG, the most famous Korean entertainment company is SM. In 1989, Li Xiuman, a musician who returned from studying in the United States, founded SM (Soo-man Xiuman) Entertainment Company. In 1996, drawing on Elements of American hip-hop, Korean ballads and Japanese visual rock, SM launched H.O.T., The first truly international K-pop male idol group in Korea.
The group is regarded as the ancestor of South Korea's export of idol culture, and has achieved great success in Japan, China and Southeast Asia. Although it now seems that the shape of this group is too exaggerated, the dance steps are also very lame. But at that time, H.O.T can be said to represent Asia and go to the forefront of the world's popular culture.
The first generation of K-Pop boys, unfortunately, has long since disbanded
With the success story of H.O.T. SM, SM has launched many idol groups that we are familiar with, such as Mythology, Oriental Shenqi, Girls' Generation, Super Junior, EXO and so on. The well-known An Qixuan, Jin Junxiu, Lin Yun'er, Han Geng, Song Qian, Lu Han, Huang Zitao, Zhang Yixing, Kris Wu and others are all cultivated by this company.
There is also a JYP
Rain, MissA, Wonder Girls are all JYP
The owner of this company is even more different...
（图：Youtube@Mnet K-POP）▼
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="215" > sweatshop and well-organized</h1>
SM is not the best music, but it is the most successful idol industry. This company is known as Korea's "star-making factory" and mass-produces TOP-level idols by assembly line standards.
The trainee system is the core system for Korean companies to select idol artists. Many gifted children are selected by large companies to become trainees at a young age and begin training to become idols.
The earliest is that Janis began to send JR system (similar to trainees)
Whether it's South Korea, Japan, or China
If you want to stand out from so many people, your own and the company's strength are very important
(Photo: Twitter@produce101jp)▼
The training of trainees in Korea is always described as a "hell shura field". Corporal punishment, abusive management, a brutal assessment system, and a high elimination rate make the trainees miserable. South Korea's elderly and inferior system, the phenomenon of inner volume and the culture of hatred are even more vividly reflected in the trainee system.
The girlhood of the fire
It is also because it is rumored to be "impolite" that there is a "Black Sea Incident"
The trainees undergo years of training in singing, dancing, form, and obedience, most of them eat and live in the company, and the agent is also responsible for their guardian and examiner. In Korean companies, trainees are often physically punished for eating an extra bite of high-calorie food or seeing the artist who debuted first not using honorifics.
In some companies, these trainees are assessed weekly. Many trainees are eliminated because they don't perform well or because they lose shape when they grow up.
"Sixteen" is the first program to fully present the selection process of the women's group to the audience
That's where TWICE debuted
After practicing to become an artist, you must also undergo the examination of the singing platform. In Korea, there has been a tradition of song festivals in history, and the song platforms of various television stations have continued this tradition, providing stage performances and singing and dancing for idol artists. In South Korea, between actors, singers and idols, basically the well water does not violate the river water, and the idol focuses on singing and dancing, and rarely gets involved in other fields.
Most idols prefer to go to variety shows, are more mature, and absorb fans quickly
(Infinite Challenge, Picture: Twitter@realmudo)▼
It is lamentable that the trainees spend years of hard work in their youth, but most of them are loss-making businesses. First of all, the vitality of Korean idols is particularly short-lived, according to statistics, a Korean idol group from debut to disappear in people's vision, the average is only 1 year and 8 months.
Secondly, idol artists belong to the low-income group in South Korea, such as SM companies and artists' revenue share is about 9.5:0.5, and small entertainment companies will share more of artists, but this is based on the premise of low total income. The poor living conditions of idol artists are often the norm. There are even news reports that individual idol group members can't even earn enough money to eat, resulting in malnutrition.
Lee Hyuk-jae said he didn't buy a house for his family until 2012
At that time, SJ had been a big hit for seven years
Not to mention those struggling little love beans
For the company, music producers, choreographers, songwriters, publicity staff, stylists, agents, and scouts are the masters who have to be careful to serve. Because these people have food everywhere they go, and artists can only rely on the company.
Generally speaking, Korean artists will sign a very long contract with the company when they debut, most of them are more than 6 years old, exceeding the golden period of development of idol artists. Once you want to jump ship, you have to pay a high penalty; even if you successfully leave the company, no one in the industry dares to ask for it. Historically, there were only two situations in which a job change in a large company still had to be fully tailed. One is that the family background is hard enough, and the other is that overseas (mainly Chinese) trainees return to China for development.
When the myth was able to leave SM, it was said that the captain's family paid a large amount of money
Later, he also fought a lawsuit to compete for the right to use the "myth"
In this context, various accidents caused by suicide, overwork and fatigue among trainees and artists are frequent. The Korean entertainment industry uses a set of strict systems to ensure the export of its own cultural products. Behind this is the blood, sweat and tears of countless young trainees and idol artists.
The development of a country's industries necessarily comes at a cost, and unfortunately, they are the price.
Jang Zi-yeon, Kim Jong-hyun, Shirley, Gu Hola, Iron...
We seem to be able to glimpse the darkness behind it...
(Photo: Facebook@SULLI)▼
Taking advantage of the development of the idol industry, K-pop culture not only spread Korean culture around the world, but also silently exported their political views and ideologies.
For example, IN THE LYRICS OF THE SONG "HISTORY", "We are divided into two ends, originally a sun-like integrated structure", which directly expresses the regret that the north and south of the Korean Peninsula are difficult to unify. In the reggae band Stony Skunk's "Koreans", the so-called "Korean history" mentioned includes Terms such as Siberia, Manchuria, and Goguryeo.
I don't know if this was helpful for the couple to be received by the president of the United States and South Korea at the same time
Through popular songs, people in many parts of the world have subtly accepted their views. Although these views are not acceptable to many neighboring countries.
This is where the power of cultural soft power lies.
bibliography:
1.https://max.book118.com/html/2019/0411/5220112140002024.shtm
2. "Korean Cultural Strategy and Cultural Diplomacy", Zhan Debin
3. "Korea's "Cultural Nation-Building" Strategy and Enlightenment for the Development of China's Cultural Industry", Yu Zhenchong
4.https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinawe
5.https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shin_Daechul
6.https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shin_Jung-hyeon
*The content of this article is provided by the author and does not represent the position of the Earth Knowledge Bureau
Cover: wikipedia
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