So many factors to dissect when discussing this topic. But the first question that comes to my mind is equivalent to "which came first? the chicken or the egg?". After much researching, it is very hard to say where the origin of the term boy band came from. Although I can confidently say that America has had it's varieties of male vocal groups since the early 19th century... But around that time, they were better known as a barbershop quartet. The term boy band was most significantly established around the 1980's with the introduction of groups such as the Monkees, Jackson 5 and the Beatles. Male vocal groups consisting of Caucasian members then took on the title exclusively, because an all black group would be an R&B group.
Fast forward a decade or so and you meet the entire world's attempt to intro a boy band from different continents. Ivanushki International from Russia, Menudo and even Bay City Rollers from Scotland. With that said, why are we only focusing on America versus Korea? Have you ever heard of Ivanushki International? Okay, moving on.
Let's break down the duration of the group's popularity. Although N'sync and Backstreet Boys are some what common house hold names and their music will forever be remembered, listening to their music... well its like doing a fat chick. It's fun and everything until your friends catch you doing it. I haven't followed much of Korea's boy bands, but it seems like they share the same, if not more of a half life in terms of popularity, without the ridicule of liking the music. Bands such as H.O.T. and ShinWa have immortalized themselves just the same.
I can't say that I'm a fan of either ethnicity's choice of names for the groups (HOT = High five Of Teenagers...), but that might just be me.
I've noticed that more often than not, US groups start up and dissolve in a blink of an eye due to lack of marketing or flat out lack of appeal. Granted you had a reality show with a group "O-Town", they didn't make the cut and really did not leave a mark. Maybe because Korea's training and preparation for their musical stars is so much more intense before their debut. From my understanding, they can spend years on end as a trainee until the management sees that they are ready. I will however give credit to the US for the solo careers that stem from the disassembled groups. Well, Justin Timberlake is the only one I see that's done well. JC Chasez, judges on ABDC yet I don't recall him being the "dancer" of the group. Guess he's got bills to pay too. Well, that's unfair to say... A lot of Korean boy bands that dissolve end up doing variety shows or (IMO) fail at a solo career, unless their new angle is totally amazing.
Korea has the US beat when it comes to changing the group's image. America seems to fit people into a music genre to begin with, and it really hinders the groups ability to transition into another genre later. Groups like Good Charlotte aren't likely to switch to power ballads, and 98 degrees isn't likely to succeed at a rock album. I believe America creates groups based on their vocal abilities. Which leads into the next two reasons why Korean groups are dominate. I personally believe the vocal abilities of the Korean groups outclass American groups in their diversity. And although the success will vary in magnitude when a K-pop group transitions to another group image, they pull it off. But! give a point to America when Korean groups attempt a more macho image. They fail mainly on the account that the members lack masculinity so much. It doesn't help when all the members will go in and out of a phase where they have long feminine hair.
Let's move on to fashion. Korea wins.
On to the combination of singing and dancing. Dancing being a skill that America doesn't focus on too strongly. Korea wins.
The group or individuals' image in the press, Korea wins. While AJ from backstreet boys keeps the bottle from hitting his lips, you don't hear the troublesome substance abuse from the Korean groups. But I'm proud of you AJ, I too am roughly 45 days sober, and it is not an easy task. whether it's to loosen the vocal cords before a performance, or it's to stay smooth with the ladies, much respect.
And finally, let's touch on the internal image of the group and the popularity within. We all know that both American and Korean groups have their "one" within the group. The cute one, the funny one, the bad one, the weird one and the odd looking one. Okay, so maybe those aren't the names for them, but you get the idea. Korea earns a point because in essence, they all can retain the title of the cute one. They both have "the dancer", but the Koreans seem to train all the members to make them seem like anyone can retain that title, even though ultimately, there's that one talented member that stands out above the rest. Another important factor that turns out to be leaning towards a K-pop victory is the inclusion of a member that can sing and rap. The only American group that is even a contender in this would be LFO aka Low Frequency Oscillation, with Rich Cronin as America's heavy weight champion (RIP Rich, #shooby do wop). Korean groups take the point when it comes to individual popularity for members within the group. How can I just state that as if it were some known fact you ask? Anyone that is specifically a Joey Fatone or Chris Kirkpatrick fan, is a god damn fool and should die immediately.
So, let's tally things up. Korean 1,000,000 and US 5. I think we have a winner folks #chickendinner.
Think I'm out of mind? Do you feel differently? Tell me what your thoughts are. Get at me, O_Mega_Tron@twitter and omega_tron@instagram
On behalf of my fans, I'll continue to monitor the success of groups such as Big Time Rush and Mindless Behavior and compare them to Shinee and 2PM.
"사실은 오늘 너와의 만남을 정리하고 싶어
널 만날거야 이런 날 이해해
어렵게 맘 정한거라 네게 말할거지만
사실 오늘 아침에 그냥 나 생각한거야
햇살에 일어나 보니 너무나 눈부셔
모든게 다 변할거야 널 향한 마음도
그렇지만 널 사랑않는게 아냐
이제는 나를 변화시킬테니까" H.O.T. - Candy
"Shooby-doo-wop,and scobby snacks,met a fly girl
and i can't relax,the only problem is she's
a movie star,Oh,my friends,they won't believe me,if
they could only see me,at the risk of sounding
cheesy,i think i fell for the girl on TV. " LFO - Girl on TV
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