As a fan, you always question yourself, why
do KPOP groups have a lot of members in it and how can entertainment companies
divide parts of the song to each members? Well, the reason why, number of
members isn’t a problem in Korea is because each individual has a specific role
to portray, for the group to function. Before an idol group debuts, members are
being selected thru a series of auditions to know their strengths and
weaknesses. If luckily accepted, these skills will be polished thru years of
training, and later be used to know which role they will have in the group. Like
in an ordinary office setting, once an applicant has been screened and
qualifications are met, it’s easier for the recruiters to give a specific job
role to the applicant.
For older fans, they have already overcome
the struggles of knowing the things mentioned above. But for the newer ones,
and for those who are still lost to Korea’s Idol group setting, here’s the
complete guide to Idol Group Roles.
LEADER
Like in every team or organization, there
will always be someone who is needed to lead the others in order to keep peace
and harmony. In Korea, it is believed that elders are more likely wiser and
have more experiences therefore, entertainment companies choose the eldest
member among the group as the leader. In some cases, when an individual shows a
high amount of leadership, he or she is more likely to be appointed as a leader,
regardless of his or her age. The leaders automatically become the father or
the mother of the group and should take care of the members well.
But as good as it looks and sounds like,
being a leader is also a really big responsibility to fulfill. And because
everyone is different in personality and values, it’s a challenge for leaders
to maintain the order of the group. Also, leaders should possess maturity and
charisma on and off stage to be able to handle tough situations along the way.
That is why, it is something that should not be underestimated. Example of a
mighty and responsible leaders are, Dreamcatcher’s Jiu, Super Junior’s Leeteuk,
VIXX’s N and WJSN’s Exy.
THE
VOCAL LINE
The vocal line is categorized into three,
the Main, the Lead and the Sub. Some fans are having a hard time knowing the difference
between these three while some can easily spot which is which.
MAIN
VOCAL
The
main vocals are mainly in charge for the vocally challenging parts of the song.
They are known for having the strongest singing ability, and most likely to
receive the highest solo lines. Oftentimes, main vocalists don’t possess a high
vocal range but due to the uniqueness of their voices, they get to have the
position as main. Examples of the Main Vocalists are Apink’s Eunji, Highlight’s
Yoseob, Ikon’s Junhoe, and Mamamoo’s Solar.
LEAD
VOCAL
The lead vocals on the other hand, receive
the 2nd largest piece of the song and who’s someone who backs up the
main vocal during pre-chorus and chorus. They are also in charge of getting the
lines of the main when he or she isn’t available during that time. Examples of
the Lead Vocalists are AOA’s Hyejeong, B1A4’s Jinyoung, BTOB’s Changsub, and
Girls’ Day’s Sojin.
SUB
VOCAL
The sub vocals are the remaining members
who backs up the main and the lead and usually get few lines of the song.
THE
RAPPER LINE
The rapper line, are the members in charge
of the rap parts of the song. Oftentimes, the rappers of the group, contributes
in music writing and producing of their songs and mostly were discovered as
underground rappers before becoming a member of the group.
MAIN
RAPPER
The main rappers are those who have the
best technique and style in rapping and someone who gets the majority of the
rap parts. Some main rappers write their own lyrics and also their groups’
lyrics. Examples are, EXO’s Chanyeol, F(x)’s Amber, Monsta X’s Jooheon and
Up10tion’s Wei.
LEAD
RAPPER
Lead rappers are the ones who are 2nd
to the main. Sometimes, it gets confusing as some Lead Rappers tend to have
longer lines than the main but it all goes down to the skills and technique, as
mentioned above.
THE
DANCE LINE
The dance line, are the ones with the best
dancing skills and styles but have fewer lines in the song (can also be sub
vocal). They are also in charge of showcasing the song’s key point dances,
during their tv show guestings and concerts. Some groups don’t have the main
and lead dancers as they focus more on the singing than dancing.
MAIN
DANCER
The main dancers are the ones who overall
possess the best skills when it comes to dancing. Their creativity in dancing oftentimes,
are used into the group’s choreographies making them one of the choreographer.
They also get to be in the center during dance break and they get to have solo
dance parts. Examples are, Bigbang’s Taeyang, Got7’s Yugyeom, Hello Venus’
Lime, and SNSD’s Hyoyeon.
LEAD
DANCER
The lead dancers are 2nd in
position after the main and sometimes get to be in the center during group
performances. Examples are, Astro’s Moonbin, Laboum’s ZN, Red Velvet’s Irene,
and Seventeen’s Jun.
THE
VISUAL AND FACE OF THE GROUP
Another confusing role in an idol group are
the visual and face. Because of their similarities in description, fans often
disregard who’s the visual and who’s the face and they interchange the roles. But
as being appointed to two different people, these two also have minor differences.
VISUAL
The visuals are the members of the group,
having the most distinct qualities of the beauty standards in Korea. They get
the most endorsements and are being placed in commercials. They are also in
charge of luring in the new fans that is why they are also in charge of acting,
whether in KDramas or in music videos. Some fans especially newborn, disagree
as Korea’s standards are different of other people’s beauty preference. Examples
are, Infinite’s L/Myungsoo, Sonamoo’s Nahyun, Victon’s Sejun, and Weki Meki’s
Doyeon.
THE
FACE
The Face, however, are the members who have
charisma and overflowing humor and are best for TV and Reality Shows. They are
known having a loveable face and attitude whether on or off stage. He or she
represents the overall vibe and personality of the whole group. Examples are,
CLC’s Eunbin, GFriend’s Yerin, Pentagon’s Kino, and EXID’s Hani.
OTHER
ROLES
THE
MAKNAE
The maknaes are the youngest among the group.
They said maknaes are the cutest and also the luckiest as they are the most
loved by the fans and also the members. But lies beyond the title, are the most
savage, prankster members of the group. Examples are, BTS’ Jungkook, KNK’s
Heejun, Pristin’s Kyla and T-Ara’s Jiyeon.
THE
4D OF THE GROUP
The 4D is a term used by Korean fans to
Idols who have a weird, unique, and out of the box personality and thinks
creatively in a weird and humorous way. This personality is more of a compliment
rather than an insult. 4Ds are also considered are mood makers of the group.
Examples are, B.A.P’s Jongup, BlackPink’s Jisoo, Shinee’s Onew, and Twice’s
Sana.
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