The Struggle of Less Popular Members in Idol Groups

Idol groups, such as SNSD and Super Junior are currently two of the most definite active idol groups with large number of members.

Although SNSD, Super Junior, etc enjoys immense popularity, but because of so many members, the ones who are able to take center stage belongs to just a selected few. The other members can only stand by the side and become “extras”. And those members who aren’t as popular has to fight for their survival in the competitive industry through other areas in order to raise their profile and popularity. Thus, they engage in hosting, acting, etc to make a name for themselves and constantly reminds the public that they are around. Anyway, each member has their distinct personality but are just showing it through many areas of the entertainment industry at their own pace.

Popular members are always busy
SNSD member, YoonA is embarking on her acting career with a leading role in her KBS daily drama, “You’re my Destiny” starting from early May. Another member, Tiffany is often seen in product endorsements and CFs because of her fresh wholesome appearance. She is also kept busy with her numerous appearances on variety shows. Kim Hee Chul and Kangin are also established performers with their sharp wit. Although they debuted as singers, their numerous identities as hosts, etc has raised their profile much higher.

Less popular members kept busy by improving themselves
Then what about the other members? Although they are in the same group, but alas, they just aren’t that popular and they number more than the ones who are always in the spotlight. But still they preservere on in many other areas, hoping that one day, their hard work and effort would pay off in the long run.
From 4pm onwards on 28th May, all SNSD members with the exception of YoonA went through two hours of vocal training. Super Junior Ye Sung and Sung Min went through two hours of song composition lessons on 26th May before another three hours of vocal practice on 29th May. Hopefully, they can widen their scope of performing. Meanwhile, SNSD member, Soo Young, underwent two hours of acting training from 7pm onwards on 26th May. On the same day from 10am to 5pm and from 8am to 2pm on 28th May, she was busy filming her movie.

Although these “extras” don’t appear often or at all on KBS, MBC, SBS, etc, they treat every opportunity to appear on cable programs preciously. Super Junior’s Sung Min, Paran’s Neo are all using their hosting gigs on cable programs to raise their profile. Jewelry’s Ha Joo Yeon and Kim Eun Jung are doing the same thing likewise, being active on a program through cable channels.

Relations between popular and less popular members
But with the huge disparity in popularity and opportunities, won’t there be problems between members in the group? This has always been a huge headache for management agencies who will always try to provide equal opportunities for them to shine. According to someone from Paran’s management, “When they just debuted, all competed furiously to become the most popular member so you could imagine the tension between them then. But through time and working with each other, they are now like brothers.”

Jewelry who welcomed two new members to their group faced the same issue. Kim Eun Jung expressed her understanding of their management for arranging them to be on programs, “Our unnies (Park Jung Ah and Seo In Young) have been in the business longer than us and thus they are more well-known then us. They have more programs to go to and a larger fanbase, that’s a given.”

source: coolsmurf@wordpress