I never really understood the "graduation" process in Asian groups. How does it usually work?
It varies with the group, but in After School, a girl graduates when she feels like she's ready to leave the group already. Hence to 'graduate.' So far AS graduates are in acting (Soyoung), and doing solo music (Kahi). Bekah is in fashion school, but I reckon she could be done by now, and she says she's working on something music-related.
Who gets added into the group is the decision of the company most of the time. Kahi recruited Bekah to AS, and teamed up with Jungah to train the younger girls during their early days. Jooyeon, Soyoung and pretty much everyone else were choices of the company.
I think it's their personal decision to graduate. Kahi left AS when they had an upcoming Korea comeback. It was quite inconvenient. I dunno with Bekah, though I think some factors might have pushed her to decide to leave the group.
I think with AS too old is a problem as least for the group as a whole because i mean u would have eyoung and the other new girl who look super young versus Kahi that lets not lie she looks like their mother if anything.
Madonna, Gwen; etc don't have to think about begin too old because they are independent acts.
Kahi has been with the group since day 1 and she's close with the CEO, so i do really think it was her decision.
I do think Kahi's case was special tho
The label is most of the times involved in these kind of desicions.
Though interestingly, when an OC girl graduates from After School, she'd still be part of the Holy Caramel. Which means if those three girls graduate, OC would be totally separate from After School (though they kinda are now).
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Originally posted by Belle
take one down, pass it around, 98 AKB girls on the wall...
But Belle, where is Madonna and Mariah's careers now? Clearly not the same as their younger primes.
MDNA was awful and Mariah can barely get a successful single out besides AIWFCIY during the holidays.
Clearly, Kahi was devastated when she left, she was the leader of the group and the group was going to grow and go on without her. I do wish she stayed for Flashback because she would've killed that song and then start without her during the First Love/Dress To Kill era. With Bekah, I'm not sure but I wouldn't doubt the company kicked Soyoung out to replace her with Uee.
"Too old" never stopped Gwen, Mariah, Madonna, etc
and Asians look younger
idk, I'm inclined to believe humpty dumpty was pushed, just...in general.
I don't think it has to do with look, as we know that age in K-Pop is a big thing. Especially in such a youth-driven entertainment industry, when groups debut with members as young as 14 and have kids as young as 6 in training.
30 in Korea is basically the end of your expiration date as an idol, especially with women. I remember on Invincible Youth, Narsha (who was 29 at the time) said she was too old to be considered an idol like the rest of her castmates. I'm not sure why 30 is deemed the end of an idol's career by Korean society, but it seems to be a common trait that people expect them to stop performing and lead a "normal" life by that time. That, or move onto more "mature" roles, like drama or OST's, to give new idols a chance to shine. Out with the old and in with the new, to be precise. Pressure of marriage starts in your 20's for women in Korea, but idols usually bypass it because of their career restrictions.
Korea is still very behind with how they think sometimes, but that's to be expected given how fast they advanced their culture. And of course there are exceptions to the rule like Hyori and (to a lesser extent) Kahi, but I think Hyori is the only one who has truly avoided the stigma associated with idols and age. I'm not sure how, maybe it has to do with how Fin.K.L are still revered, but she's very lucky! You think of B.E.G who are all over thirty (aside from Ga-In) and then realise why she's the most popular/gets the most solos.
I never understand how Koreans think 30 is like 70. When I read comments like, "Wow, she's still young looking" or "She's so pretty for a 30 year old!", I'm like, "Duh! She IS young!".
SMH...
I don't think it has to do with look, as we know that age in K-Pop is a big thing. Especially in such a youth-driven entertainment industry, when groups debut with members as young as 14 and have kids as young as 6 in training.
30 in Korea is basically the end of your expiration date as an idol, especially with women. I remember on Invincible Youth, Narsha (who was 29 at the time) said she was too old to be considered an idol like the rest of her castmates. I'm not sure why 30 is deemed the end of an idol's career by Korean society, but it seems to be a common trait that people expect them to stop performing and lead a "normal" life by that time. That, or move onto more "mature" roles, like drama or OST's, to give new idols a chance to shine. Out with the old and in with the new, to be precise. Pressure of marriage starts in your 20's for women in Korea, but idols usually bypass it because of their career restrictions.
Korea is still very behind with how they think sometimes, but that's to be expected given how fast they advanced their culture. And of course there are exceptions to the rule like Hyori and (to a lesser extent) Kahi, but I think Hyori is the only one who has truly avoided the stigma associated with idols and age. I'm not sure how, maybe it has to do with how Fin.K.L are still revered, but she's very lucky! You think of B.E.G who are all over thirty (aside from Ga-In) and then realise why she's the most popular/gets the most solos.
I never understand how Koreans think 30 is like 70. When I read comments like, "Wow, she's still young looking" or "She's so pretty for a 30 year old!", I'm like, "Duh! She IS young!".
SMH...
In Asia, 30 is the age that you should get married and have babies, or in other words, you should be a mom now
It would be weird for a mom to perform on stage like an idol
Clearly, Kahi was devastated when she left, she was the leader of the group and the group was going to grow and go on without her. I do wish she stayed for Flashback because she would've killed that song and then start without her during the First Love/Dress To Kill era. With Bekah, I'm not sure but I wouldn't doubt the company kicked Soyoung out to replace her with Uee.
Soyoung and UEE were on the same line-up (Diva era). Soyoung stated 'health reasons' for graduating / dropping out, but soon enough she debuted as an actress. UEE, Raina and Nana were all admitted to After School in 2009.
Interestingly, Soyoung always knew Raina was going to be the next member. In a parallel universe, we could have had Soyoung singing Nana's line in Because Of You if she didn't leave.
In one TV guesting with Nana, Kahi stated it is her dream that in around a decade's time to still see After School on TV with all new girls.
Soyoung and UEE were on the same line-up (Diva era). Soyoung stated 'health reasons' for graduating / dropping out, but soon enough she debuted as an actress. UEE, Raina and Nana were all admitted to After School in 2009.
Interestingly, Soyoung always knew Raina was going to be the next member. In a parallel universe, we could have had Soyoung singing Nana's line in Because Of You if she didn't leave.
True. More what I meant was I feel after Diva, they eliminated Soyoung because UEE could do what Soyoung was capable of but better plus wasn't Soyoung suppose to represent "the cute" side of After School? I feel they did away with that completely.
And wasn't there a rumor that there were 2 girls that are being considered for a new line-up? Or was that a lie?
I figure it's just that the concept of idols is still new to Korea. We're technically still in the second generation, but the third have debuted and are continuing to debut this year. There's no precedent for how to act once you've reached a certain age, as it is so new! Hyori and even Shinwa (being first generation) are setting a great example and really breaking barriers for this current one. I see 2NE1 performing longer than 30 for sure (if CL doesn't go solo before then), as they're not so heavily focused on image. Of course it won't work for everyone, an example being SuJu, whom I think are done. And Wonder Girls have already fallen victim to the traditional member getting married and having a kid within that first year of marriage (that's no hate to Sun at all).
But I think with each generation, the age barrier will expand and maybe idols can debut for more than their looks. Or an even crazier thought, women can actually get married/have kids and still perform *gasp*! That's of course being the ideal situation, but until then, we are stuck in this limited age group that appeals to a certain [thirsty] demographic
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Originally posted by Sept
It would be weird for a mom to perform on stage like an idol
Yet they still love Beyonce and basically try to find their "Korean B" within Hyorin and Ailee
I get it though, she's not asian and is a foreigner who is not held to their same ways of life (much like idols for the time they are idols), but I don't get how they can't see that way of thinking is potentially holding women back
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Originally posted by 8thPrince
It's a shame 30 is considered old. PJY and Minwoo had some of the best works in February, imo.
Like I said (if you made it that far, congrats to you) Korea advanced so rapidly that it's thought process is still sort of stuck back in the 70/80's. Give them time.
I hope they break the boundaries/barriers of "30" being so old. I mean look at Rain. "30 Sexy", a statement in itself. I want to see them still doing hard and yes, the concepts will change (bye to Aegyo/Innocence) but there's so much more exploration.
Especially B.E.G, I don't want their age to restrict them. Ga-In shouldn't have all the solos due to her age, that's just stupid tbh.
Ugggh freaking 'Some' stuck in my head. Something about the tone/inflection in the chorus makes it stick. I can see why it has longevity, it's catch without being overbearing.
And wasn't there a rumor that there were 2 girls that are being considered for a new line-up? Or was that a lie?
E-Young was supposed to debut with a girl named Nicole. They both appeared with AS in White: Curse of the Melody. Look closely in their group scenes. This was before E-Young's special debut stage.
I hope they break the boundaries/barriers of "30" being so old. I mean look at Rain. "30 Sexy", a statement in itself. I want to see them still doing hard and yes, the concepts will change (bye to Aegyo/Innocence) but there's so much more exploration.
Especially B.E.G, I don't want their age to restrict them. Ga-In shouldn't have all the solos due to her age, that's just stupid tbh.
I definitely think the tide is turning now. The global explosion has made Korea celebrate their original idols, which will in turn have a trickle-down effect into the next/newer generations. Hyori can make it to 35 (only an example, hopefully further), X can make it further and so on...
I feel like B.E.G. are kind of being phased out myself. Their last comeback as an example. Maybe I'm being cynical/dramatic, but I def thought people weren't HERE for them as much as their past comebacks
I definitely think the tide is turning now. The global explosion has made Korea celebrate their original idols, which will in turn have a trickle-down effect into the next/newer generations. Hyori can make it to 35 (only an example, hopefully further), X can make it further and so on...
I feel like B.E.G. are kind of being phased out myself. Their last comeback as an example. Maybe I'm being cynical/dramatic, but I def thought people weren't HERE for them as much as their past comebacks
Agreed, I also felt everything besides Recipe was lack luster even Kill Bill. Don't drag me for that anyone. I know a lot of people here stanned for it. I even thought the music video was stupid being the HUUUUGE Kill Bill fan that I am.
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Originally posted by Hitori
E-Young was supposed to debut with a girl named Nicole. They both appeared with AS in White: Curse of the Melody. Look closely in their group scenes. This was before E-Young's special debut stage.
I can't find the Nicole girl. I wouldn't mind UEE or Juyeon being swapped out for some new girls tbh even though I love them. Juyeon before UEE though. E-Young could be the new more talented Juyeon if they gave her some vocal training and she had some more confidence in her because she has the "After School factor." Kaeun could be the next Nana while Nana becomes the next Kahi.
Something about the tone/inflection in the chorus makes it stick. I can see why it has longevity, it's catch without being overbearing.
I wouldn't mind UEE or Juyeon being swapped out for some new girls tbh even though I love them. Juyeon before UEE though. E-Young could be the new more talented Juyeon if they gave her some vocal training and she had some more confidence in her because she has the "After School factor." Kaeun could be the next Nana while Nana becomes the next Kahi.