Your idols’ model by company

The recognition of Ok-pop has grown considerably lately, reaching some extent the place many around the globe no less than acknowledge the names of a number of teams, if not their music.

Youthful audiences particularly have change into conversant in Ok-pop and may distinguish its sound from different genres. Nevertheless, international Ok-pop followers new to the style might wrestle to acknowledge the distinctive types of the powerhouse companies behind among the greatest teams.

For followers of the style with an appreciation of its historical past, nevertheless, it’s well-known that the scene was as soon as dominated by the “Massive Three” companies: SM Leisure, JYP Leisure and YG Leisure. And every was identified for a definite musical model and distinctive method to idol coaching, vocal supply and visible presentation.

SM Leisure: Pioneering, visually pushed

Based by Lee Soo-man, SM Leisure is usually credited with pioneering the Ok-pop idol coaching system. Lee, a tech-savvy determine, influenced the company’s inventive and enterprise method, fostering teams like NCT, EXO and aespa.

In contrast to JYP and YG, which trusted star producers like Bang Si-hyuk and Teddy, respectively, SM developed a classy “artists and repertoire” — or A&R — system to supply songs for every act, contributing to a novel and polished sound. Regardless of having in-house songwriters equivalent to Kenzie and Yoo Younger-jin, SM sought worldwide expertise early on.

For example, 1998’s “Desires Come True” for woman group S.E.S. was written by Finnish producer Risto Asikainen, and BoA’s early hit “No. 1” was composed by Norwegian songwriter Ziggy. This international collaboration helped form the distinctive, progressive sound that SM artists embody right this moment.

“SM Leisure’s model, notably for woman teams like f(x) and Crimson Velvet, blends components of Eurodance pop with distinctive Ok-pop qualities, generally incorporating rock or rap for a dynamic, unconventional development,” mentioned music critic Lim Hee-yun.

How the songs are lastly chosen additionally displays Lee’s tastes, leading to a cohesive musical id that resonates with the company’s fan base, affectionately generally known as “Pink Blood.”

SM trainees are ingrained with a vocal model that emphasizes clear, sturdy projection, notably in pop and digital dance music, based on native Ok-pop vocal coach So Su-lyn.

SM locations a robust emphasis on visible enchantment, grooming its idols for polished and refined photographs. SM artists, together with NCT, EXO and aespa, usually boast visually interesting lineups designed to evoke widespread fan admiration.

JYP Leisure: Pure, relatable

Based by singer Park Jin-young, JYP Leisure has a historical past of evolving musical types throughout generations of idols. In its early days, Park’s affect was important, with many songs reflecting his mix of American soul, R&B and hip-hop with a Korean melodic contact. This was evident in teams like g.o.d, Rain, 2PM and Surprise Women.

JYP’s method to group ideas additionally varies by gender. Boy bands like 2PM emphasised a robust, intense model targeted on hip-hop and digital sounds with a distinctly masculine aptitude.

“Woman teams, in the meantime, leaned into cuteness and sensuality, usually incorporating catchy hooks and approachable aesthetics. JYP woman teams tended to take care of thematic continuity throughout generations, with earlier ideas emphasizing conventional gender roles, a pattern that shifted with newer acts like Itzy,” Lim mentioned.

Park is thought for his philosophy of “half air, half sound” in vocal approach, prioritizing pure, relatable performances even when they’re not technically excellent. “JYP Leisure focuses on the artist’s pure persona, aiming to attach with audiences by way of authenticity,” a neighborhood Ok-pop company official mentioned. “This method offers JYP idols a relatable attraction that resonates with followers at a deeper stage.”

Park’s affect additionally extends to the company’s give attention to alluring stage presence, creating performances that spotlight the distinctive charms of JYP teams.

YG Leisure: Hip-hop, individuality

YG Leisure’s music model is closely influenced by founder Yang Hyun-suk and in-house producer Teddy, each of whom are steeped in hip-hop. This model combines American hip-hop’s uncooked vitality with native sensibilities to create a novel sound. In contrast to JYP, which differentiates musical types by gender, YG sometimes maintains an analogous model throughout its roster, no matter gender.

Woman group 2NE1, for example, embodied a masculine, hip-hop vibe in each lyrics and sound, not not like YG boy bands. Massive Bang, too, showcased rap-heavy hip-hop with daring digital sounds in hits like “Lie” and “Final Farewell,” interesting throughout all age teams with their melodic hooks, harking back to basic ’90s Ok-pop.

“This catchy, singable refrain model has change into a signature for YG acts, from 1TYM and Jinusean to Massive Bang, Winner, Blackpink and newer teams like Child Monster,” mentioned Lim. “Of the ‘Massive Three,’ YG Leisure arguably has the strongest and most distinct musical id.”

Hybe: Numerous types below one roof

It’s difficult to call one model for Hybe because of its multilabel system encompassing seven subsidiaries, every with its personal distinct sound. Labels like Pledis Leisure, Belift Lab and Ador, represented by well-liked Ok-pop teams Seventeen, Enhypen and NewJeans, respectively, every convey distinctive musical components collectively below Hybe’s umbrella.

Previously Massive Hit Leisure, Hybe’s id initially revolved round BTS, essentially the most profitable Ok-pop act in historical past. Lim defined that BTS debuted with a hip-hop-inspired sound, drawing from the Billboard-topping hip-hop hits of the early 2010s.

“Nevertheless, Massive Hit’s music had a distinctly Korean contact, usually incorporating melodic hooks harking back to trot’s ‘ppong’ components, very similar to YG Leisure’s model,” he mentioned.

BTS’ music usually options intense verses that construct into catchy, emotional choruses, as seen in “Spring Day,” which mixes impactful rap with a balladic melody. BTS’ success enabled Massive Hit to develop into Hybe, evolving right into a multilabel system that now lacks a single, unified musical id, with every label exploring distinct sounds.

Shift away from agency-specific types

As Ok-pop evolves, it’s changing into tougher to affiliate particular types with every company, notably as multilabel programs proliferate. SM and JYP have each adopted multilabel constructions and all main companies now additionally use worldwide A&R groups to supply songs from producers around the globe. Moreover, collaboration amongst in-house songwriters additional blurs the traces between the sounds of various companies.

“As we speak, Ok-pop companies not have a single defining model as they did within the 2010s,” mentioned an nameless official from one of many Massive Three companies. “Whereas main companies have developed music that appeals broadly to international audiences, the distinct ‘Ok-pop essence’ that after characterised every firm has considerably light.”