I don’t know how to better title this LMAO but please don’t fight me too much. Also note, I am not saying that the promos listed below should be done away with or that my suggestions are law. IT’S JUST MY OPINION
I’ve been thinking about how promotions go and realized that companies generally follow the same plan with the occasional new thing(that’s sometimes a hit or a wtf). It feels like they don’t have a finger on the pulse of popular culture and it’s part of the reason the kpop global market is slowly contracting.
It feels like, for the most part, if you have seen how promos go for one group, you have basically seen it all.
The promotions also feel very corporate (for the lack of a better word).
First an obviously paid article comes out saying that a comeback is expected on a certain day (usually a month away). Then the teasers begin with lots of aesthetic pictures, concept clips, a highlight medley then the comeback. Usually this is mostly fandom geared and most people outside of the fandom really never know about the album unless it really blows up. If you’re lucky, a pre release may be there which is something I actually like.
Once the comeback is released, the TikTok challenges are quickly uploaded. I know this is going to be a popular opinion on TikTok challenges lol but omg it feels like corporate heard that TikTok can blow songs up( ofc zico was the trailblazer) and just went with the one specific method forever. Yeah it’s advantageous to appeal to other fandoms but it’s too on the nose. It’s obvious that it’s not organic and that it’s a mere transaction which sucks the fun out of it. Also by observing songs that blow up on TikTok, it should be obvious that these challenges won’t get a song there. First, the choreos are too hard for your local normies. Look at how Messy blew up after Sofia Richie’s dance (she’s an IT girl who made a very simple movement that made that song huge). Like TikTok has also evolved from mostly dance and lipsyncs so a dance challenge is not what it was in 2020 unless it’s something like Sofia Richie’s or something that is a meme.
Then the next two weeks are music shows, and variety shows. The variety shows are usually Running man and knowing bros( if you are really popular), one of Yoo Jaesuk’s shows, 1N2D, an idol’s YouTube show or two, maybe I live alone, and others with that vibe. I get the logic but it’s so predictable. Honestly the variety show that is more compatible with younger people is “I have nothing prepared”(?) where they get drunk and talk nonsensical stuff. The host isn’t scared to push the “kpop” boundaries a little and it shows a different side to idols.
Then the promo cycle is over and that’s it. It’s really lacking. And in the rare case they decide to do western promos, it’s still outdated. Just going to Fallon, good morning America and the likes aren’t sufficient on their own. And I am not just talking about getting new audiences, I mean making it fun for the audience.
It just feels so out of touch with the younger generation and it’s like they are barely putting any effort in. I get that kpop is fast-paced and on a timecrunch but can we get new Innovative promo cycles?Promo cycles that actually go with the album and its era like that would be everything especially since kpop is visual based and concept heavy.
submitted by /u/Quick-Adeptness-2947
[link] [comments]
