What do you think is possibility of seventeen ending up like nu'est and after school? I have some confidence that things are different for seventeen, but the fact of the matter is all three groups are under pledis, and svt’s labelmates had amazing debuts too but look at them now :/ I’m scared because I have become almost too attached to svt and I would be soso heartbroken if something of that sort happened :’(
As a former Nu'est stan, I was originally concerned too. I wasn’t here for After School’s heyday, so I can’t speak to their career. However, I now think of Seventeen’s situation this way: times have changed, and Pledis is doing things differently with this group.
With Nu'est, they just taught a few cute guys to sing and dance, gave them a song, and sent them out the door as soon as possible. I don’t know if you followed Nu'est when they debuted, but I came into k-pop 6 months after that. I watched all of their LOΛE Stories, variety show appearances, interviews, etc. Since they were rookies, I cut them some slack but still, the boys were often shy, confused, hesitant and embarrassed. They weren’t very entertaining except when on stage. (Rookie B.A.P. were much the same way.)
With Seventeen, however, Pledis recognized exceptional talent in the three leaders and developed them to the next level – mentoring new trainees, choreographing and producing. They also developed other members’ song writing and arrangement, MC-ing and BJ-ing, acting, variety and fanservice skills. They took their time to turn out well-trained self-producing idols.
In devising the group’s image/concept, Pledis also avoided the hip hop boy group glut (ToppDogg and Alphabat), as well as the uber-aegyo trap (Boyfriend) and the emo lovelorn trap (C-Clown and M.Pire). Instead, they developed the group’s image around their real personalities and performance strengths into something that I call Cool Fun. Think of it as something like a combination of TVXQ, Super Junior and Shinhwa. Pledis also cleverly devised a unique yet natural sub-unit concept to help spotlight each of the members and their various musical tastes and performance styles.
They sent the boys out the door after a reality show that showcased their extra skills, gave them mostly not-cringeworthy styling, and selected a fun title song with unique choreography. They cleverly charged MC Boo with leading the other members through their backstage and radio interviews, which brought him immediate recognition as a variety star in the making and allowed him to bring other members along the same path. They also cleverly had Soonyoung modify each week’s choreography, which not only spotlighted his skills, but made many potential fans anticipate Seventeen’s new music show appearances every week. In my opinion, these decisions made Seventeen’s debut far more carefully-planned and well-executed than Nu'est’s – or indeed most groups’.
Their follow-up promotions – while not as overwhelmingly popular as those of groups from the Big 3 – were nonetheless extremely successful for a group from a company of this size. Seventeen promoted a similar but better song with slightly more mature, cooler styling and music video. Their b-side performed song brought an even more mature, somewhat sexy vibe for potential fans who didn’t like their core image so much.
Members who got short shrift during the debut era were highlighted during the first hiatus, comeback promotions and the end-of-year/awards season. The boys have filmed Weekly Idol, Running Man and One Fine Day, and they’ve added a member to their Sukira schedules. Jihoon is about to appear on a TV show as a producer – not just a singer. As far as I can see, Pledis is still making all the right choices at this stage.
The concern now is how to maintain momentum. I think the key is in the groundwork already laid out: maintain the boys’ current concept – Cool Fun – as a career-long brand, maturing the music and the image as they mature. I’m eagerly awaiting the (hopeful) No F.U.N. OT13 promotions in the next cycle or two.
Continue to use Seventeen members as songwriters, arrangers, producers, choreographers, etc. If Mingyu (and maybe Junhui and Wonwoo?) can style them for some small schedules and Soonyoung and Hansol can act as cameramen for behind-the-scenes and V-app filming, then Pledis will save even more money.
Promoting Soonyoung as member 3 of the variety line is the logical course of action, and they should add Chan and probably Junhui next. More focus on Jihoon as a producer and Jisoo as an arranger would also be in order; I’d like to see Jihoon bring Jisoo along to something like Starry Night or Sugar Man. I’d also like to hear Jisoo’s vocals more – maybe in a hip hop unit track?
Chan should also be promoted more as a dancer and choreographer, and Hansol (and maybe Wonwoo?) should be spotlighted as lyrics-writers. Wonwoo’s really cool tommy-gun style of rap is under-utilized thus far; I’d like for one of the upcoming songs to totally feature that.
For a few members, I think a shift in focus is due. Seungcheol needs an opportunity to shine physically, whether it be an individual Running Man appearance, Real Men or Law of the Jungle. Also, it’s time to either cut Junghan’s hair or style him quite differently; something a bit harder and more masculine is probably the best way to go – even if you keep his hair long. I vote for boots, boots and more boots. He should also now be highlighted for more than his looks; besides modeling, vocal featuring (maybe in a performance unit track?) and acting are probably the best bets.
Mingyu’s styling change for Boys Be was perfect and is not played out; keep it! Instead, have him show some skills too; or if you can get him some TV appearances that showcase his extremely sweet puppy-like personality, do that. Maybe do both with a small, sweet acting role?
Junhui needs a Korean acting role that requires either serious drama or his trademark sass, even if it’s something small and ethnically Chinese. Minghao needs more featuring as a b-boy, but as his Korean-language skills improve, he also needs – like Jisoo and Hansol – to be spotlighted in behind-the-scenes and V-app appearances. These young men will benefit from more practice answering questions in front of cameras.
Seokmin and Seungkwan are doing quite well in their current paths; for them, I recommend more of the same. Continue putting them on TV and radio shows; continue getting them vocal featurings – especially if Seokmin can do something in the rock or jazz genres and Seungkwan can do trot. A Seokmin featuring on a Mamamoo track or stage performance would be just about perfect, I think.
Showing more facets of Seventeen’s personalities and skills is where it’s at in 2016. The vocal unit band at the Christmas concerts was exactly the sort of surprise that indicates that Pledis and Seventeen are not resting on their super rookie laurels. They are continuing to work hard to show new, better sides – a new boy band for a newly reinvigorated Pledis Entertainment.
TLDR: It’s possible, but not too likely, imo.
(via persephonebasilissa)
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