Do you Know all the nine members of Girl's Generation? Have you ever danced to the big hit song Abracadabra? I am sure that most to you say "yes" to these questions. We are greatly influenced by idol stars these days. At first, idols seemed to be just for teens. However, they soon became popular with the all of the current generation. How much do we know about idol and how much we are affected by them?
1. What is an "Idol"?
The word idol is derived from Greek word 'LEELV' which basically means people who are greatly admires or loved by their fans. These days they are usually talented people who are discovered by huge entertainment management companies. Generally, they practice for a long time and release an album. In other countries, idols have a already shown their popularity and power, and they are becoming gradually powerful in Korea too. Most idols are teens and many idols from groups rather than going solo. Idols are usually musicans. However, they can become famous for various areas like musicals, movies, commercials, or dramas with their popularity these days. This shows that an idol is not only a musician, they can be talented in many different ways.
2. Beginning of idolism
Idol warship first started in the 1980s. Our fathers and mother were obsessed with singers like Cho Yong-pil, Sobangcha, or Kim Wan-sun, and some of them became groupies. This cultural phenomenon continued in the 1990s and it became "fandom culture"- a subculture of fans characterized by a feeling of sympathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest. At the turn of the century, many entertainment companies which had success with idols in the 1990s started to find and train new talent. Idols became one of the most powerful consumption mechanisms. It is hard to find what the public desires because people always want new things nowadays. So, many people do not settle on one idol group. People usually like many idol groups and want them to have different appeal.
3. Idols as commercial tools
It is not a stretch to say that the support of an entertainment company is the most important for an idol. It is hard to succeed on your own in the entertainment industry. Aspiring musicians want to have practice and to advertise for entertainment companies. However, most entertainment companies focus on increasing the commercial value of idols rather than helping them develop their talents. Entertainment companies often use idols as commercial tools, and it causes problems. They want to make idols for profit. So, they usually put idols in various shows, or dramas to gain popularity. Also, they do not make unique genres of music, they only release catchy songs that are easy to remember. These kinds of songs are the problem with the current music market in Korea because we can not recognize any diversity in our music genres. Another entertainment company strategy is to make their idols look luxurious. Teens who like idols want to imitate them, and cannot avoid overconsuming and becoming materialistic.
4. Am I an 'Idol' or a 'Doll'?
Most idol are young teens or in their early twenties and people at these ages usually want to protect their privacy; however, idols can't have privacy. They can't make their own schedule and they have to follow what their company wants them to do. Even if they have their own time, they cannot avoid the interference of the media and their fans. There is no 'I' in their life. Their life is like a doll's because the company controls them. Also, they can't pursue personal and professional development on the side. By pursuing wealth and fame, many of them have to go through an identity crisis. This mat cause a lot of stress to them. They look happy under the spotlight with fans cheering them on, but when they return to reality, they feel lonely. Some of them want to escape and commit some irresponsible acts. An even bigger problem is that fans follow their favorite idols blindly. Idols should have responsibility and try to be a good role model.
5. Look Beyond the Idol
Of course, there are not only bad things about idols. These days many idols participate in various public campaigns and try hard to communicate with viewers. They do not settle down in Korea and they try to break into the world market. They are the leaders of the Korean wave. However, idols need a professional approach so that they can last a long time as good singers. Also, entertainment companies have to change their minds about idols. An idol is not a means of making money. The Korean entertainment industry should change this attitude so we can look forward to a better future.
