About the music business without talking about music - 3. Bigbang Part II : Between a style icon and a national idol group
Since I've talked about the more musical things in Part 1, now I'm going to talk about everything except the music. The reason I've talked musically about the song 'Lies' is because it is impossible to explain about Bigbang without those explanations. Also it is not common to see the music(to be more specific their title tracks) that Bigbang has showed us, directly impact the flow of the music market. Bigbang through 'Lies' became a top star, and found a new market that the other idol groups have not found before. The big hit of 'Lies' showed us that idol groups could not only be the style icon for their fans, but also for the people that were living in the same time era. Everyone put the songs of idols as their background music for their homepages or blog, and guys around Bigbang's age wore the Bigbang style clothing. When an idol group comes in contact with the 'public' over their fans, the commercial impact is phenomenal. They appeared on CFs that were targeted for teenagers and people in their twenties; in that age range the Bigbang fandom that grew larger and consumed the products they put out.
It is impossible for a group to do this with only one hit song. For example, if Bigbang came out with a ballad song after 'Lies' would they have been able to gain the popularity they have right now? The song could of somewhat succeeded, but the place that they had as the 'style icon' wouldn't have been as firm. The new market was stirred up by 'Lies'; the consumers wanted Bigbang to have the style that 'Lies' had, and Bigbang needed to bring out a song that was on the same lines as 'Lies'.
From that point, the songs in their second mini album, 'Fool' and 'Last Farewell' were an intelligent choice. YG Entertainment released the second mini album not far after they finished their promotions for the first mini album. The album with the songs was different, however 'Last Farewell' and 'Fool' had the momentum of the group that had made a big hit with 'Lies'. Bigbang in those two songs wore street fashion clothing that was on the line of 'Lies', and the two songs had a basis of electronica music like 'Lies'.
However, the two songs didn't just simply repeat 'Lies', but played a variation Bigbang's style. 'Fool' and 'Last Farewell' are the two variations of 'Lies'. 'Fool' has the 'slow, low, gloomy' part of 'Lies', and 'Last Farewell' had the 'fast, high, exciting' parts. The song development in 'Fool' is the same as 'Lies'(Please refer to PART 1 about how 'Lies' was written). 'The order of the member’s parts, melody and rap in 'Lies' is almost fully repeated in 'Fool'. However this does not mean that 'Fool' is the repetition of 'Lies'. G-Dragon in the same structure, was able to bring out a more calm, gloomy and sentimental melody. The voices were thinner, and in the hook they don't rush in with power like they did in 'Lies'; it is more like they chanted it. However, 'Last Farewell' emphasizes the explosiveness from 'Lies' even more. The tempo's fast, and in the hook a simple and explicit melody 'baby baby..' appears. Contrary to 'Fool', this is probably why Brave Brothers participated in writing 'Last Farewell'. Brave Brothers, like we've seen in 'Crazy', is good at writing melodies that are short and easy to remember. In the hook of 'Last Farewell' Bigbang dances a dance that can easily be danced by anyone; this shows the characteristics of this song(The sharing of works between G-Dragon and Brave Brothers is clearer when you hear 'Crazy' and 'Saturday Night' which he wrote by himself). 'Fool' emphasized the more sentimental feeling of 'Lies', and 'Last Farewell' released the style that Bigbang showed in 'Lies' even more to appeal to the public. This isn't the best metaphor, but it is like how Apple made a big hit with Ipod and released the Nano and Shuffle to vary their products. So they showed the 'Bigbang style' to the public in a way that they would not get fed up with it; they showed different products so they would easily like it.
During this process Bigbang dominated a specific market. At that time Bigbang showed their own music and fashion, and Bigbang showed a variety of products so their consumers didn't have to try to go find another team. The solo activities during the first half of 2008 hardened the cool and stylish image of Bigbang. Taeyang's 'Only Look at Me' was not only popular, but even was acknowledged for the musicality by receiving an R&B award from the ‘Public Music Awards Ceremony’. G-Dragon became a fashionista that was acknowledged by fashion magazines. On top of this Daesung showed himself in variety shows, Seungri showed himself in a musical and TOP was casted for . Bigbang did this while maintaining their style extended their popularity. If you exclude their music, fashion, drama, musical, variety show, movies etc. the Bigbang members are just normal guys that enjoy their cultural life. They exist in all of the cultures of people around their ages, and were able to make themselves shine in that market in a way that was suitable for them. They made their music and fashion 'cool' and in variety shows they tried their best. The reason TOP was able to kiss Lee Hyori was because of the unique characteristics of Bigbang. They are an idol group with a fixed fandom, but they are also guys that are in their twenties that can be cool outside of the territories of their fandom.
'Haru Haru' and 'Sunset Glow' is a choice that came from Bigbang as the dominator of the music market. Bigbang through their first album found a new market, in their second mini album varied their products and by the solo activities they made their shares in the market firm. This is the ideal situation, but at the same time it means that the profit that they can gain from this field is at a saturated state. When they sell their albums, they can sell more than 200,000 and all the tickets for their performances are sold out. To receive more than this, they needed to expand their market.
This is why YG chose 'Haru Haru' and 'Sunset Glow'. Some of the parts in 'Haru Haru' remind us of 'Lies'. Like 'Lies' it starts with a piano accompaniment, and like it did in 'Lies' there is a hook that has a strong beginning 'When you leave don't look back...'. However 'Haru Haru' is subtly different from 'Lies' in many parts. Instead of having the rap and melody cross over each other, they have a development that was from the rap to the hook. Instead of how TOP had a rap part that was like a solo performance in the second verse of 'Lies', the song shows a similar development in the first and second verse. Also, in 'Haru Haru' the simple rhythm is the core of the song, contrary to 'Lies' where the rhythm splendidly is built up. In 'Haru Haru', the rest of the empty spaces are filled with the synthesizer that sounds like an orchestra.
Thus, 'Haru Haru' is easier for the public to easily understand than 'Lies'. Instead of the complicated rhythm, the melody of the synthesizer comes in and instead of the kaleidoscopic development, there was the more predictable development; so, more people could come in contact with the song with less pressure. Look at how the hooks of 'Haru Haru' and 'Lies' differ. It's the same that the melody is catchy and the voices of the members are strong, but in 'Lies' in the part where they sing 'eeya mollatsuh(oh I didn't know)' all a sudden the tone drops and leaves a melancholy feeling. On the other hand in 'Haru Haru' 'Gurukjuguk haengbokhaeyadweh(you have to be somewhat happy)', they shout out the feelings making their voices even a little rough. In 'Lies' they finish off having their feeling cool, but in 'Haru Haru' they shout out their feelings.
Until they released 'Haru Haru', there was no song that was like 'Lies', and the public could not consume the 'Bigbang style' without Bigbang. At this point, Bigbang released a newly designed product that still had the style that 'Lies' had, that the public could easily contact. The consumers still consumed 'Haru Haru', and the public that still did not enter Bigbang's market yet started to get to know Bigbang's music, style and members. Bigbang's 'Haru Haru' music video was parodied by , and in an end of the year awards ceremoniy Kin Gura(comedian) mimicked TOP.
Of course you cannot only focus on the profit side for the intentions of the creator. You cannot say that 'Haru Haru' is a better song than 'Lies', but it has a different charm. Near the end of the second verse, by TOP's fierce rapping and the synthesizer the climax is brought up; you can say that Bigbang increased the repertories that they could show. However, G-Dragon doesn't compose/produce the Bigbang albums himself; YG's owner Yang Hyunsuk does not only produce, but also participates in the mixing. Through 'Sunset Glow' you can clearly see the route that YG wanted from Bigbang. The song 'Sunset Glow' wouldn't of come out if YG didn't want to make Bigbang the 'national idol group'. 'Crazy Dog' which they sampled from Seotaiji and Boy's 'Hwansangsokeui Geudae(You in the fantasy)' brought one of the sounds and rebuilt the melody. Also Seotaiji and Boys and Bigbang were the starting point of the same group, so the justification as a tribute was reasonable.
However, 'Sunset Glow' is hard to find a connection with Bigbang’s music looking into the time period or just musically. Also they sampled 'Sunset Glow's main melody. Of course, you could say that sampling a legendary song is a new experiment. However, the result of 'Sunset Glow' is far away from that. The original song's melody became the core of the song and the melody and original structures that they showed in 'Lies' and 'Haru Haru' disappeared. But instead, like in a lot of dance songs, the rap and hook are just grafted together. There were no tries like the reform of 'Lies' where they mixed in the Sibuya sounds and the popular music basis together well, or how they found a new way to develop the melody differently in 'Haru Haru'. This gets even clearer when you compare 'Sunset Glow' with the series of albums they released in Japan.
Of course, while going through 'Sunset Glow' Bigbang received a lot of popularity. Bigbang from a survey came in second after Jang Yoonjung(trot singer) as a 'national singer'. When an idol group has starts to hear that they are a 'national singer', they can have infinite choices in doing things. Bigbang is on many CF such as cell phones, beer, drinks, PMP and even games. Their own essay book became second for sales for the first half of 2009. It was possible for Bigbang to sell more books than their CDs because of the parent generation that moved. Bigbang who's dominated the younger generation, became a 'nation singer'. There will be nothing that Bigbang won’t be able to do in Korea.
However, the merits of ‘Sunset Glow’ overlap with this. 'Sunset Glow' made everyone get to know that Bigbang is becoming a 'national singer'. Bigbang filmed a music video with Taean as the background, and in KBS's end of the year music program they sang with Lee Moonsae(original singer of Sunset Glow). The style icons for the twenties all of a sudden started to deal with the whole country. 'Sunset Glow' made more of the public get to know about Bigbang, but was a choice that could made Bigbang's 'core' go father away from them. Actually, 'Sunset Glow' didn’t' do as good as 'Lies' or 'Haru Haru' on the digital online music charts. 'Lies'-'Last Farewell' hardened the market for Bigbang, but 'Haru Haru'-'Sunset Glow' hardened the new market they were aiming for but at the same time had the danger of losing their original market. This is why some of the fandoms opposed to 'Sunset glow' and their essay book that had their success stories in it. They liked the Bigbang that brought the new trend, not the Bigbang that talked about their success stories like adults.
Still these problems have not been raised up yet. If their book didn't do as well, then this problem would've been published by the media. But the sales of Bigbang's book was outstanding, and broke through this crisis by receiving compliments from Lee Whehsoo(writer) who's known as a 'cool teacher'. However there is no guarantee that they are going to have the same result again next time. And, more than anything, the style Bigbang has shown from 'Lies' to 'Sunset Glow' all are based on the specific style that started off from 'Lies'. Until now, that style was with this generation's style. But there is no guarantee that this generation's consumers will keep consuming the same style. Like how it's obvious the trend changes, the consumers right now could want another 'Lies' to speak by proxy to the trend right now. Bigbang is at the point where they will have to show the public if 'Lies' is only one of the styles they can bring out, or if that is the only style they can show.
So at this point what Bigbang needs to make an attempt to break the frame of a 'national idol' once more. During one of the year end music programs at SBS, G-Dragon rapped with Dynamic Duo. This was a memorable moment where YG and Movement made a collaboration, but it also reminded the people how Bigbang could naturally go out of the idol boundaries and present a new style for their generation. If until now they've broadened their market, now it is the time that they have to come back to their original market.
The fortunate thing is that YG proved that they know what Bigbang's true nature is through Bigbang and 2NE1's 'Lollipop'. YG has put Bigbang with a new group, and interlocked with a cell phone CF by their song and music video. The song swept first place in many music charts and 2NE1 received a lot of spotlight even before their debut. But, YG wisely didn't make a consumption of Bigbang in this huge project for 2NE1. Instead, YG offered a colorful music video and a stylish song that made Teddy's producing skills shine. 'Lollipop' reminded us once more that Bigbang is a style icon. If Bigbang can renovate their own style, they'll be able to spread their own style in a larger market than they had in 'Lies'. There is only one thing Bigbang has to do. They have to open a post 'Lies' era. Their long run depends on this.
*This article was written by a music critic named Kang Myungsuk
*I thought this article was very helpful for myself and a lot of the fans, so I translated it for the ivips to see
*I haven't translated the Part I- but I am planning to translate that article to when I have the time
Original article written by Kang Myungsuk.
Translated by Beau @ bbvipz
For Big Bang's latest single 'Gara Gara Go' the boys worked with Shaun Evaristo for their choreography. In his most recent blog entry, Shaun has been nothing but full of praise for the boys.
Shaun who has also worked with 2NE1, described the boys as the 'definition of professional'. Shaun also revealed that Big Bang only had two sessions with him before flying back to Korea. While the choreography that is shown in the MV isn't exactly the same as the one he gave the boys, Shaun describes 'how the fellas always put their own flavor into the moves'. Lastly, he complimented the production of the MV by saying 'The MV has good color, good lighting and good editing. I love the girl choreography too, it adds the robotic feel which kinda makes it futuristic. The MV is full of life which matches their characters'.
For a group to have only two sessions with a choreographer, and to produce a MV of that standard reflects highly on the great talent of the Big Bang boys. 'Gara Gara Go' will be officially released on the 8th of July.
Big Bang DaeSung will not participate in Family Outing filming due to Japanese promotional activities
Big Bang DaeSung will not participate for the filming of Family Outing due to Big Bang’s promotional activities going on in Japan.
He did not participate in the filming for the upcoming episode of Family Outing which will take place for 2 days and 1 night from 6th July as he had to be with Big Bang for their Japanese promotions.
DaeSung’s representative said, “Because of the Japanese schedule, DaeSung had to give filming for Family Outing this time a go. DaeSung has also found it a shame that he could not join the rest of the filming of Family Outing. He is also sorry for TV viewers who are waiting.”
Meanwhile, Big Bang will release their 2nd Japanese single ‘Gara Gara Go’ on 8th July.
日本Album（大碟）
【标题】:『BIGBANG』(初回限定盘)
【编号】:UP CH9507
【发售日】: 2009/8/19
＜収録曲＞
01．Intro
02．ガラガラ GO!!
03．Bringing You Love
04．MY HEAVEN
05．Stay
06．Top Of The World
07．Follow Me
08．Baby Baby -Japanese Version-
09．Emotion
10．Love Club
11．Always -Japanese Version-
【优惠】:优惠海报成为(折叠的发送)
【标题】:『BIGBANG』(通常盘)
【编号】:UPCH174 1
【发售日】:2009/8 /19
＜収録曲＞
01．Intro
02．ガラガラ GO!!
03．Bringing You Love
04．MY HEAVEN
05．Stay
06．Top Of The World
07．Follow Me
08．Baby Baby -Japanese Version-
09．Emotion
10．Love Club
11．Always -Japanese Version-
【优惠】: Can badge (2个组套)(图案未定)
日本独自规划商品！此次的日本较大的·初次亮相前的代表曲子13曲收录了(预定)
【标题】:『ASIA BEST』
【编号】:UPCH1742
【发售日】:2009/8/19
＜収録曲＞
01． HaruHaru
02． Make Love
03． Lie
04． Number 1
05． Lollipop
06． So Beautiful
07． Stylish
08． La La La
09． Remember -English Version-
10． We Belong Together
11． Fools Tears
（韩国）
GD的First Solo Album
【标题】:『未定』
【编号】:
【发售日】:2009/8/18
=====================================
除了龍的SOLO外, 其他的一切竟在無言中==lll
No, no. They aren't k-i-s-s-i-n-g. But they are, in fact, very good friends! After Kim Joo Ri won her title as the 2009 Miss Korea Jin, netizens whipped out their stalking skills and found out that G-Dragon of Big Bang and Kim Joo Ri are very good friends. YG Entertainment confirmed the fact by saying, "After checking with G-Dragon who is currently in Japan right now, it is confirmed that he is friends with Kim Joo Ri. Nothing other than their friendship was confirmed, but he did tell us that they have not been in contact due to busy schedules."
"Thanks To, Kim Joo Ri" was listed on Big Bang's First Album, which stirred up quite a scandal among the netizens. Not only that, when Big Bang's album was released, Kim Joo Ri congratulated G-Dragon on his minihomepage. So this begs the question, How do they know each other? Quite Simple, They went to the same high school, and their love friendship grew from there.
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发表于 1-3-2010 03:36 PM
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