of the singers who can’t sing…

19Dec09

So Ivy made a few good points about people who can’t sing and aspiring idols who should be able to do so. Long story short, here’s specifically what she said:

“If you can sing, be a singer, but if can’t, don’t. If you don’t heed my advice I will punish you. When I see an aspiring singer who can’t sing, I feel like that the person only wants to become a singer to become a celebrity.”

Truer words were never spoken, especially on the last part.

Along with the translated article were a few netizen comments.

“Dambi, Ivy is calling for you~~”
“Honestly, Ivy sounds good live. I’m neither an anti or a fan, but I think she’s right…”
“This kind of advice can only be given by a capable person like Ivy herself…”
“Gyuri, Goo Hara, Yoona, Jessica, Sandara Park, Seung Ri, Sohee, Taecyeon, Nichkhun, Chansung, Super Junior, Minho, Hyung Joon… are you listening?”

So you can probably imagine now how much butthurt and wank have been caused by the last part. It’s reached to the point most people are reacting purely over the comment itself and not specifically on Ivy’s words. Some batshit fans even went so far as to insult the singer herself.Ahhh…well crazy fangirls and fanboys.Welcome to Korean fandom.

First, let’s get to the real substance of the article–Ivy’s words.

Now, my opinion on this is very simple. It’s true you don’t deserve to be called a singer if you can’t even hold a decent tune especially on the stage. Bathroom/karaoke singing does not count. And frankly speaking, most of the people listed there don’t have really decent vocals. But there’s a reason most of them are called idol singers. Which means they’re part of idol groups.

Korean pop music, especially on the idol subculture, does not necessarily take well on vocals >> faces. In fact, it’s the opposite. Faces over talent. You don’t need to sing that good just to be famous and gain a legion of fan cafés dedicated to you.

Particularly on idol groups. Apart from good live singing capabilities, there must also be some fresh and handsome faces to fawn and spazz about and wacky, likeable TV personalities. Gone were the days when being an idol just meant being a pretty boy and churning out bubblegum pop songs. The trend nowadays is to get the complete package: there are two or three decent and/or spectacular voices in the group, one or two decent rappers, excellent dancing skills and dazzling aegyo/beauty. And apart from that, you have to be lively and charming on TV as well. Variety shows can either make or break your group.

There’s talent but there also has to be beauty and charms. In fact, beauty is only second place as important compared to having a likable personality these days. You might not exactly be that gorgeous but you still have tons of adoring fangirls just because you’re adorkably cute on stage or being an epic 4D character in the group.

That’s the way Kpop is, let’s face it. Seeing the idols’ personalities offstage and onstage is now an essential part of the job. I’ll be frank that unless your average idol group has some mindblowing skills on stage plus epically awesome songs, I’m not going to give you my time of the day unless you manage to catch my attention on TV.

So the essential ingredients for being an idol are: number one are charming personalities, number two is beauty and number three is talent, in that order.

So now that we’ve established the number one fact you don’t really need that epically mind-blowing talent to get people’s attention, let’s get back to our main point here.

There are tons of iconic entertainers everywhere without having that much fantastic singing capabilities. Ivy’s advice is only applicable for those who’re really serious with their music career. As in being a real singer and not just an idol singer. But if you’re going to try and apply that in real life idol world, you’re going to run into some trouble. Because many people become idols not on their singing talent (or lack thereof) but on their looks and charms.

I mean, when did becoming an idol means turning into the next Pavarotti?

Okay, that was an extreme comparison but honestly among idol groups there will always be that extremely good looking/charming member who can’t sing to save a life but is always #1 for the fans.

Let’s have a look with those people who got name-dropped. Even a whole idol group got flambasted as well.

First up. Our favorite chipmunk girl. Well, Sohee can’t really sing. Sorry bb, I love you but honestly… : ( your voice gets overpowered compared to the four other members of Wondergirls.

The same goes for Sandara. And in relation to that, Thunder as well. Like sister, like brother. Weak voices but nice faces.

As for Goo Hara, yes sfm. Girl can dance decently but about her singing…vocal chords still need power.

As much as I stan for Seung-ri bb, i have to admit he has the weakest voice of Big Bang. But Idk, ever since his Strong Baby promotions, I have to admit he’s improved considerably on his own. But on group performances, he’s still overshadowed in the vocals department.

I can understand Yoona’s though, she herself had said at one point she hadn’t really wished to take up singing, she was actually going for acting when she auditioned. As for Jessica, no offense that girl’s singing really gets on my nerves. Personally I think she can hold a tune, she can reach the high notes but honestly her voice is very bland, there’s no depth and little power. She can sing but she’s not that good. I find her singing sometimes to be too nasal and screechy for my liking. The same holds true for her sibling, Krystal.

As for the whole of Super Junior–have to disagree there. Super Junior K.R.Y. is excluded, that’s understood. Leeteuk also has a decent singing voice. But for the rest of Suju, it’s pretty mediocre in all honesty. They’re very talented in other aspects though, such as dancing and in entertainment.

There are many more names dropped which I think holds valid and true but I’m not going to discuss them any further.

I love my fandoms to death but you gotta admit when a person can’t really sing. I’m a stan but I do know when my idols have limits/faults that people will always nitpick and exaggerate. There’s a difference between a  fangirl/stan and being plain batshit stupid over your idols.

I’m of the opinion any idol group still needs some singing credibility and vocal chops to be taken seriously and not just any other variety show tandem. But demanding that every single one of them needs to be on the same caliber as their lead vocalists isn’t that really necessary.That’s why they’re a group and not solo singers. These groups manage to balance and compliment each member’s lack and strengths.

I haven’t really jumped into the Kpop bandwagon because of the voices because honestly speaking, if  I wanted to hear some real, good music, I’ll stick back to my homeland’s OPM. That’s Original Pinoy Music for you peeps. Carol Banawa, Yeng Constantino, Sam Milby and Christian Bautista FTW. My real music idols can out-sing any Kpop idol I know and that’s a fact. The likes of Leona Lewis, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kelly Clarkson and more.

What attracted me to Kpop in the first place are not just the good looks (although I’ll be lying if I didn’t admit that’s a very major PLUS with the fandom) was the catchy songs, hook beats and cool concepts. The dances, the live performances and the Korean variety shows. Star Golden Bell, Family Outing, etc. The dorky, quirky and funny personalities of my idols.

In summary: anyone aspiring to be an idol singer still needs to sing. But you don’t have to sing that well to achieve epic stardom. Just tickling the public’s fancy is already good.

And music is music. If I like it I’ll listen to it. )

Filed under: musical ramblings   |  3 Comments
Tags: butthurt fans, idol, Ivy, kpop, netizens