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How possible is it to become a black (or foreign) Kpop idol?
A thread
http://antisocialtomato.com/2020/10/13/how-to-become-a-black-or-foreign-kpop-idol/
A thread
http://antisocialtomato.com/2020/10/13/how-to-become-a-black-or-foreign-kpop-idol/
Becoming a kpop idol has rapidly become a huge deal among most young kpop fans from around the world.
As a result of this, questions keep popping out in forums from all over as young aspirants constantly search the internet for the littlest bit of light at the end of the tunnel to give them hope that their absurd dream is feasible.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but chances are you are currently reading this blog post because
- You were just curious to see what my new post was about. Or
- You are looking for some confirming hope just like I had suggested earlier.
- You were just curious to see what my new post was about. Or
- You are looking for some confirming hope just like I had suggested earlier.
I have been meaning to write about a topic like this for a while now, but I've been putting it off for reasons I too am yet to figure out. Nevertheless, today I'll be talking kpop, and how possible is it for a foreigner to actually break into the industry.
I love kpop too, I love the sound, the language, and the music style, which is unique, even though it had taken a lot of its foundation from Western and Japanese music.
I'm not really much of the classic fan type in general. Somehow, I'm able to separate the artist from their work, I pretty much just see them for who they are, and that is people, with every single characteristics which makes a person just another human.
This is why I can be interested or in love with a person's work, but not so much of the person as an individual, at most I respect them.
This habit of mine cuts across all genres and industries.
This habit of mine cuts across all genres and industries.
In the Korean pop music industry, there are bands whose work I love for various reasons,
I think Exo still remains my all-time favorite, I love their music, choreographies, and vocals most especially.
I think Exo still remains my all-time favorite, I love their music, choreographies, and vocals most especially.
More recent bands for me are Seventeen, Ikon, and NCT. To be honest, even though I know BTS has existed for a while now, their music has only recently started growing on me, thanks to dynamite and some of RM's 2015 mixtapes, "joke", and "do you".
Listening to these made me go back to their previous works and actually try to listen to them. As a result of this, BTS has now made its way to the list of bands I respect.
For female groups, it's currently just Red velvet, and Mamamoo, especially for their vocals and image. I heard a couple of songs from 3ye and Weki Meki, and I think they are also cool too.
Nevertheless, when we are talking about the all-time female Korean pop artist I utterly respect and are humbled in front of, IU takes it all home, without any competition!
So back to the topic,
So back to the topic,
Is it possible to become a foreign/black kpop idol?
I'm going to try to be as objective as possible here, as a lot of the replies I see people getting from online contributors in forums tends to be overly subjective and emotionally backed.
I'm going to try to be as objective as possible here, as a lot of the replies I see people getting from online contributors in forums tends to be overly subjective and emotionally backed.
Point blank, becoming a kpop idol as a foreigner will not be easy by the slightest bit, this is not because Koreans are "racist purists" as I had made a point of in my previous posts How the first black kpop artist failed in Korea and what you can learn from it…
As the younger generation (gen Zs and millennials) grows and with the rapid globalization, this dismantling of racial barriers would become even more so, this would happen not just in Korea, but also on a global level.
I mean, if you don't see BTS, a South Korean boy band which sings 90% of its songs in Korean making a big splash in the west, middle east, and even Africa, as a sign of impending globalism and an acceptance of diversity, I really do not know what else could convince you.
Becoming a foreign pop artist would be hard, not just because of social resistance par sé, but because of South Korea's society's core values and beliefs, as well as your delusional thinking and the social norms you've been brought up with in your own native country.
If we are all honest with ourselves, we would admit that 80% of all foreign kpop idol aspirants want to be so out of an obsession with the exotic and a very dangerous "the grass is always greener on the other side" mental approach to life.
As with every other thing in life, our fantasies of what could or should be would be the very thing that ruins us.
The purpose of this blog post is to not just serve as a confirmation to the inevitable, but also as an eye-opening food for thought that should make you question your motives, your abilities, your dreams of what you think life would look like for you as an idol, and just life…
…in general.
You should benefit from this even though you do not plan on taking the public route.
Before you jump on the kpop bandwagon and start auditioning to companies, there are possible pitfalls you will need to avoid if you plan on going down this path, as well as certain viewpoints of yourself and the society in general that you may need to revisit if you do not want…
…to dig your own grave.
In this post, I will be dismantling common viewpoints foreign aspirants tend to have of themselves and about Korea and it's pop society.
In this post, I will be dismantling common viewpoints foreign aspirants tend to have of themselves and about Korea and it's pop society.
The common pitfalls of the "foreign kpop idol" trope
There are reasons why I said being a foreign idol would be hard, some of the basic reasons builds on people's naivete and lack of research.
Now, I am no social expert, neither am I an exclusive insider to the industry, some of my points are just universal common sense, nevertheless since most of the readers of this post would most likely be hot-blooded teens, there Is a good chance of them omitting all the critical…
…details to suit the narrative they want to believe as they get distracted by all the glittering lights and idols.
But here's the thing honey,
You are NOT going to be successful because you "stand out"
You'd be surprised how many people think that the moment they step off the Incheon airport every single Korean would be in awe by them and want to take pictures with them because they look so exotic and different from all the "single-faced" Koreans.
You are not going to get magically scouted off the streets, neither are you going to magically get modeling or tv show offers.
Not to say such scenarios aren't possible, but the chances of that happening on its own are one in a billion. Which brings me to my next point,
Not to say such scenarios aren't possible, but the chances of that happening on its own are one in a billion. Which brings me to my next point,
You are NOT special, neither do you have the "golden touch"
Just because you could do a few moves, and hit a couple of notes here and there, even if it's just in your head, and it "feels right", doesn't mean that people would be clamoring to have you at their agency.
Just because you could do a few moves, and hit a couple of notes here and there, even if it's just in your head, and it "feels right", doesn't mean that people would be clamoring to have you at their agency.
Like I said before, remember that an agency is also a business, and what do businesses want? Growth, money, and success. You are not just going to be an idol, you are going to be a business, an investment.
You are an independent contractor (an entrepreneur) and your product is your face, your talents, professional skills, and a possible image that SELLS.
Before an agency sees you as a person, they see as an investment.
Before an agency sees you as a person, they see as an investment.
No business would want to throw their hard-earned limited cash on a venture they think has no future, or on a product that has no market.
This is not to say that as a non Korean, you have no chance in the Korean music business, the world is changing and integrating at a rapidly fast pace, agencies are aware of this, and so are becoming more innovative and inclusive.
Nevertheless, being talented or/and pretty is not enough to get you anyway in the long run. They are a lot of talented and beautiful Korean idols who disappear in less than a year, there are a lot of talented rookies and trainees who never get recognized.
This is why,
Debuting in a group will NOT guarantee you success
A lot of people think that the moment they début, then it'll just be a smooth sail to the end, but honey, your problems are just beginning.
A lot of people think that the moment they début, then it'll just be a smooth sail to the end, but honey, your problems are just beginning.
What's even baffling, is that a lot of foreign aspirants have this delusional thought of being the most famous, the most sort after, the most favoured of the group they are in because well, they are foreign and exotic, and so everyone should be nice to them and give them stuff…
…on a golden platter.
Everyone wants to be the group leader, main dancer, rapper, vocals, and even visuals.
They want to be the most successful and most popular out of the group, they want to be the "golden maknae", in summary they want a kind of "Suzy and friends" scenario, even if it's supposed to be an integrated group of equals.
But here's the thing love, while you came into the group wanting all these good stuff for yourself, so did every other member. And what happens when a group of people have conflicting interests and their own sinister agendas for domination?
There would be back biting, sabotage, gossips, quarrels, and sinister gang ups and betrayals, God help you if you are at the receiving end of it all. It'll far from the sisterhood you had envisioned.
To add some more salt to the wound, there is also a very good tendency of you becoming bitter and hateful when your secret desire to play the role of the favored golden child gets given to another person.
Hatred, envy, a feeling of being inadequate, robbed from, and overlooked would be the very demon that would make your life a living hell, seeping out whatever good or fortune you already have at your disposal.
speaking of soulmates,
You are NOT going to marry or date the oppa, neither are you going to be best friends with your favorite idols
I won't even bother going in depth into this, but it truly amazes me how a lot of young female kpop aspirants think that once they get off incheon, they will not only get scouted off the streets, and be the golden maknae, but somehow, their favorite Korean popstar would fall in…
…love with them and they would have a steamy dramatic Korean drama sort of romance.
If you secretly desire and believe such things, then you really have no idea of how the world works and the nature of the Korean entertainment culture.
I kind of feel bad for you.
If you secretly desire and believe such things, then you really have no idea of how the world works and the nature of the Korean entertainment culture.
I kind of feel bad for you.
Never take people's public image as an absolute truth, as a reality, especially in the entertainment industry. It is called an entertainment industry for a reason.
At this point, I hope your illusions have been shattered,
At this point I hope I have filtered out the real go getters from the delusional wannabes
At this point I hope I have filtered out the real go getters from the delusional wannabes
If you are still willing to continue down this road with me, let me tell what you really need to prepare for, what you really need to have under your arsenal if you are ever going to have any kind success in this industry, because success IS possible.
If you have been paying attention to the streets, you would know it will only be a matter time before a non Asian breaks the industry, we don't know who it is yet, but it just might be you.
Don't you find it quite comical that you are taking life advice from a 20 year old kid?
Don't you find it quite comical that you are taking life advice from a 20 year old kid?
I find it quite humorous too as a type this down. But hey, wisdom doesn't always equal grey hair, does it?
Music and dance has also been a big part of my life, even though I was not really aware of this for the most part of my life. I only recently came to this realization.
Music and dance has also been a big part of my life, even though I was not really aware of this for the most part of my life. I only recently came to this realization.
Nevertheless, my love for music and performance cuts across the Korean pop, I do not dream of becoming an idol, I'm personally too weird for that, nevertheless, it doesn't stop me from deriving pleasure in dancing and observing cultures and societies from around the world.
Regardless, from my observations, these are
What you need to expect as a foreign kpop idol in Korea
It pays to be street smart, in this field, in this entertainment industry, just like every other industry in the world, being down to earth and objective towards how the industry works would be your greatest advantage as competition is fierce.
Being a foreigner, you should
Being a foreigner, you should
Expect to work twice as hard as other idols
This is not because of the Korean people have some sort of social injustice tendencies towards foreigners, no. It's simply however, because they are a society which prizes hardwork and flawlessness.
This is not because of the Korean people have some sort of social injustice tendencies towards foreigners, no. It's simply however, because they are a society which prizes hardwork and flawlessness.
You being a foreigner would mean that there would be pressure from the public for you to perform better than the native because well, you're a foreigner with possible experience and a daring flare in the eyes of the natives.
The death would come from not meeting people's expectations of being an unstoppable showman. God bless your soul if you are black and yet do not live up to the standard prejudice of black people being good dancers, singers and/or rappers.
As the group gains popularity, yes, you would stand out from the rest of the members, especially if they are all natives.
However, this is a double edge sword.
However, this is a double edge sword.
You standing out means there would be no room for errors on your part and you can easily be singled out from the group, there is no luxury of blending into the group and letting the other members cover up your weaknesses.
With Koreans being hyper opinionated and blunt with razor sharp observation skills, this only means that you might be a frequent target spiteful comments and criticism by Knetzens for your supposed inadequacies.
And with the hyper fast internet speed, words of your ridicule would spread faster than you could be able to defend your honor.
Know that your hates would come mostly from foreign kpop fans
Contrary to popular believes, modern day Koreans are actually more accepting of foreigners than you would think.
Know that a lot of your hate may not come from the Korean public, but from the international fans with their obsessive purist views on kpop and what a kpop idol should look like.
Expect a lot of controversy, hearsay, and accusations of you being a Koreaboo.
Nevertheless,
Expect a lot of controversy, hearsay, and accusations of you being a Koreaboo.
Nevertheless,
Expect to be alone
Korea has a very reserved culture, so do not expect people to just walk up to you and start making small talk.
Korea has a very reserved culture, so do not expect people to just walk up to you and start making small talk.
You have to be able to handle your emotional issues by yourself as you would be miles away from home. Consider yourself lucky if you can find someone to which you could hold an intimate conversations with safely.
Do not expect such a fortune to come from your teammates however, as talking about emotional and mental vulnerabilities openly is not considered ideal and a display of strength in Korea's culture.
Surviving in this industry is not for the feign of hearts. It requires being thick boned and brutally independent.
What you need to do to protect yourself if you want to become a foreign kpop idol.
I hope I haven't discouraged you thus far, it is not my intention, and do fear I may have done so nonetheless with what I have said so far. But you need to understand the reality of the situation at hand and not underestimate the task.
Everything is not all roses and sunshine in the real world. Embracing reality would be the very thing that will save you and make your climb to the top blissful.
However, do note that the points I had touched were just the tip of the iceberg, to really go in depth on this topic would spell this post being the longest article on the web.
I may or may not make sequels to this, it depends on your reactions and my willingness to talk more. Nevertheless, I do encourage you to do research on your own and come to your own conclusions and truths, rather than waiting for someone on the internet to tell you what to do.
But yet again, what really should you be doing anyway?
Master the language to perfection
You have to be able to understand and communicate with the locals during fan meetings and events. You have to be able to express your thoughts verbatim to your teammates, managers, stylists, and the rest as it comes to your head.
You have to be able to understand and communicate with the locals during fan meetings and events. You have to be able to express your thoughts verbatim to your teammates, managers, stylists, and the rest as it comes to your head.
Being able to adequately express your thoughts and opinions to people, being able to socialize with people, will be the very thing that will make or break your stay in Korea, your experience of it, and the relationships you form with people which is every important in any…
…entertainment industry in the world.
Treat yourself and your career as a business
Entertainment is way more than just singing and dancing. Know the business side of it, and get financially educated!
Know how to handle your finances, and don't expect your agency to do it for you.
Entertainment is way more than just singing and dancing. Know the business side of it, and get financially educated!
Know how to handle your finances, and don't expect your agency to do it for you.
Having a lawyer and accountant friend, will literally save your life.
As an entertainer, your public image should be your greatest art project. Music don't just sell on it's own, and when we listen to music, we do not just listen to beat, we listen to the artist and absorb their energy.
This is why,
This is why,
Copycatting will be counter productive
Don't attempt to copy the style and charisma of your favorite idol just because they are successful and you want to be like them.
Don't attempt to copy the style and charisma of your favorite idol just because they are successful and you want to be like them.
Human beings, especially Knetzens, always have a way of sniffing out fake people, and when you get found out, you will die by a thousand virtual bites.
Believe me, you would want people to respect you, and respect will only come from you being an individual, from you being authentic, and dedicated to your creativity and unique voice.
Know who you are, know what you want, know what you want to achieve, this is the only way to know which agency and group you should be with, you cannot afford to be in a place where people have conflicting interest, goals, and visions for the future (if any).
Ignore this and you will spend more time fighting and bickering, than you would making music and bringing smiles to people's faces.
Yo do not want to be a trend, you want to be a classic that last.
This is why,
Yo do not want to be a trend, you want to be a classic that last.
This is why,
You should plan ahead and be strategic
Be strategic about which company you choose to work with, you are only as good as your team.
Do not audition for an agency just because your favourite idol group is from there, all that glitters isn't gold.
Be strategic about which company you choose to work with, you are only as good as your team.
Do not audition for an agency just because your favourite idol group is from there, all that glitters isn't gold.
Know that you cannot, and will not be loved by everyone, know your audience and serve them well, no matter how small they are.
If your secret desire to be an idol is just for fame, possible money, and the idea of being desirable, then you have failed before you even begin your career.
You have to love music and performing for people more than anything else.
You have to love music and performing for people more than anything else.
Being aware of this would be the only thing that justifies the inevitable suffering that comes with having a public life, this would be what gives you meaning, and having a meaning to a suffering is the only thing that makes a suffering bearable, maybe even pleasurable.
Know your pain tolerance level and separate it from your fantasies
The rest of this thread can be read here: http://antisocialtomato.com/2020/10/13/how-to-become-a-black-or-foreign-kpop-idol/
