Call me a SM stan (even though I am as casual as any casual fan can be) because I think the only thing they ever got right was training their idols to sing well. It was their heavy R&B influence but groups like f(x), Red Velvet and Shinee made some of the best kpop music. Their recent endeavors fail to appeal but I would admit that Aespa can sing even if EDM and hyperpop are not my genres.
I honestly blame the rise of performance oriented groups that led to the decline of groups that just stood and sang. Yes lip syncing was always prominent in kpop but the stages were small and there were times the idols put in effort. Now you’ve got insanely popular groups and idols not even doing the bare minimum when it comes to massive stages with international attention or seasoned idols nearing 15 years in the industry who falter and make gaffes on stage. Mistakes are fine but only as long as they are one offs. The moment mistakes become a pattern it is a problem.
Honestly I wish there would be more groups like Red Velvet, who were definitely quite eclectic but were also talented. I don’t care for idols who could dance and entertain or whatever. I just wish for singers. There was once a time when kpop did have idols who catered to people like me. The kpop of now doesn’t.
Edit: TOP GROUPS. TOP GROUPS. I am intentionally focusing on popular groups. At least when SM dominated even the most popular groups could sing.
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