Korean variety shows, on the other hand, tend to bring famous people (be it comedians, idols, actors) together and make a show out of it. There is a huge variety of types of shows, some involving an overnight stay. Also the MC (main host) of the show is considered pivotal to the show. And though there is sometimes a monetary prize, it is not the norm for variety shows. It is more from entertainment purposes, and to increase knowledge about the people appearing on the show.
Some points for discussion:
1. Variety shows are necessary for today's idols. Idols nowadays not only need to be good singers and dancers, they also need to have personality. How much is personality necessary in a singer? Why is this necessary in an idol (and even more and more, actors and other entertainers)? Why is it just not enough to be good singers and/or dancers? It makes them more personable, closer to the fans, yes, but is it necessary? What are expectations for idols?
2. How much of it is actually real vs. scripted? There were controversies in the past regarding this matter, with Family Outing, for example. (You could say the same with American shows, like survivor). How much of the "character" you see in the variety show is actually the star's real personality? You can't always have "good sweet kind" characters (e.g. Lee Seungi), so what are the benefits/detriments to being the not so good sweet kind (e.g. Seo Inyoung)? Does this increase your popularity?
3. Variety shows can make instant stars. Case in point: Kwanghee from ZEA (to be honest, I had to look up what group he was from, because I know him more from variety shows than the group he is in). He is known for being the plastic surgery idol. And he is more well-known for his roles in variety shows than for his music. And he himself admits that he is not that great of a singer or dancer, and he is a visual. What role does variety shows do in making the visual stars more visual? And when those idols stop appearing on variety shows? Or stop getting asked and their popularity shoots down?
4. Variety shows lead to group popularity? Does it? Some people mentioned that from the visual aspect --> more interest in the group. The better-looking stars (or the personalities that catch on in variety shows) might garner interest. But is this the only way? Is anyone except from this variety show system?
- When I thought of this exception, I first thought of YG family. They are known more for not appearing on variety shows. But they are certainly not completely exempt either (though they definitely appear less frequently than other idols). Daesung was a part of Family Outing and now on Night after Night. Seungri is also on a variety show. Even 2ne1, who rarely appear on variety shows, had their own variety show focused solely on their journey. Se7en was variety king back before he left for America. Perhaps the Wonder Girls?
5. Think of the variety of variety shows. 1 Night 2 Days focuses on 6 (now 5) guys going to different areas of Korea to showcase the different areas and play fun games. We Got Married takes celebrities and makes them into fake married couples. Heroes focuses on girl celebrities doing a variety of things (making videos, being waitresses, ect) while ranking the girls on "Popular" and "Not popular" teams and making it into a competition. Star King (which we watched in class through the Charice clips) with a group of celebrities watching "regular" people showcase their different talents in front of and with the celebrities. Night after night takes two celebrities and comedically analyzes and talks about their lives in a courtroom-like style to try and get rid of misconceptions. Infinity Challenge is a group of comedians trying their hand at different things (wrestling, playing games, singing songs, auditioning). Strong Heart gathers a panel of stars to talk about their lives and whoever tells the best life story is the "strong heart". Win Win is a more interview style with typically 4 MCs and 1 guest, with special surprise guests. Some of them are more interview-style, others have no interview component and it is fixed members that do a variety of activities. What works? What doesn't? Ultimately, what is the purpose?
6. What factor does language play a factor? If you are a star from another country (e.g. some stars are from other countries, like America or China) and you can't speak Korean? When are fans willing to be forgiving of the language issues? When are they not? On quiz shows, how does this become an issue? Does it limit certain stars, or are some stars (Nickhun/Nicole) still able to rise in popularity despite the initial (and still) issues with language?
7. What do the readings say about this variety show system? Why is it relevant to the "big star based entertainment" companies? Refer to your readings and incorporate them in. Why do entertainment companies choose to focus more on things like variety skills? Does it make a star more approachable, more real? Think about this in terms of the new tech world, where actors, singers, ect, have facebook and twitter and youtube and can use this as a medium to reach fans. Is that enough or are the variety shows necessary too?
Are variety shows beneficial? Definitely get the name out there of specific stars and then it might lead to group popularity. Is it necessary because there are idol groups coming out left and right? How does a variety star become born? Mc Yoo Jaesuk, Mc Kang Hodong are the two major rivals in the variety show industry. What is an MC?
And what about shows like Superstar K? this kind of show follows the format of American Idol.
I like watching variety shows because it has variety and when I think certain stars are funny I keep watching them. I like Yoo Jaesuk and his hilarious character, so I tend to watch the shows he MC's. And there was a huge "bidding war" on MC Yoo to get him to MC the shows. Also, there are the competing networks to try and get a variety of famous people to be in their shows and people to watch their show. Additionally, some are during the weekday, but many are on Sunday afternoon. Why is this important? or is time not a huge factor? What role does "coupling people up" play in variety shows? Is this a reflection of society or just a fun way to keep people interested? Idols and stars get more well-known from variety shows. And even more "nicknames" are created for them. Especially rookies try to get on variety shows to get more popular. But is this the right way of doing this? Should idols be focusing on getting on variety shows and becoming popular that way? What about the music aspect?
Also, as they do the shows together, the stars get closer to each other. Does this play an important role?
Language barriers can definitely be a factor to a star's popularity in the entertainment industry, but rather than answering the question of when fans are willing to forgive stars for language issues, I think there's another aspect to it that affects fans' reactions to star appearances. The stars' appearances are still largely based on the casting directors of the show. I think directors are weary of picking foreign stars specifically for shows that require a lot of talking, unless the star happens to be with other stars who can explain for them when needed. From observations (and please correct me if I'm wrong), foreign stars are mostly casted for shows where more action or small reactions are needed. For example, foreign stars such as Victoria and Amber, both members of the female group f(x), are usually casted for Star King, a variety show that requires more reaction than talking.
ReplyDeleteEven when foreign stars do get casted on more "talking" variety shows, they are usually for comedic purposes, with the MCs focusing mostly on their crooked Korean. For example, when ex-Super Junior member Hankyung went on variety shows, his Korean was usually the highlight of his appearance. Even non-native Koreans like Jaebeom, an ex-member of 2PM, and Nicole, member of girl group Kara, gained popularity on variety shows through their cute but fail language skills.
If a foreign star is appealing and lucky enough, variety show appearances could be perpetuated by the MCs of shows. I only say this because of testimonials from foreign stars Nichkhun, the Thai member of male group 2PM, and Hankyung. Both of their popularities in the variety world were assisted by popular MC Kang Ho Dong in the show Star King and Love Letter, respectively.
Only recently have foreign stars become more exposed to more variety shows. Victoria and Nichkhun are currently taking part in the popular show We Got Married.
I think the appeal of personality also goes along way when it comes to popularity/longevity in variety shows. If a star, foreign or not, doesn't have an interesting personality that appeals to the viewers, casting directors will be even more reluctant to them.
Would you, as a casting director, cast a celebrity on a television show that did not have the language skills? Let me put it another way. If there are quizzes about Korean history or Korean culture, would you cast a person who did not grow up within Korean culture? Would it be fair to the idol star and even appropriate for your show to cast them? Korean variety shows require language skills, whether through comments, or interviews, or ___. It is hard with a show like Star King because it isn't only foreign stars, but tons of stars that appear on Star King, where they are used primarily for reactional purposes. We have discussed how important variety shows are to increase a star's popularity. How are foreign idol stars disadvantaged?
ReplyDeleteThink about language in terms of American television shows as well. Jackie Chan. William Hung. Are their accents used as a means to help shoot them to stardom while also racializing them?
Are Victoria & Nickhun, and even Nicole on Heroes good examples of how this might be changing? Or are their language skills mocked on those shows as well?
Along the lines of interesting personality, is it always interesting personality? What about Yoona? When she comes on Strong Heart, for example, she is focused on, but is it because of her interesting personality? And what exactly is interesting? Is it different for boys and girls? Where does a star like Daniel Henney come into all of this, with his lack of Korean language skills but still popularity. Or even Jokwon, who is made fun of occasionally for his lack of Korean language ability (though he is, obviously, Korean).