As part of my daily routine, I wake up to check Twitter, especially Allkpop tweets, to update myself on what is happening. This is quite necessary considering how fast the pace for KPOP is right now.
The title appeared to be a typical post of SM's revenue but I was wrong.
One statement, just one short, simple statement out of the whole chunk of information on SM's future plans, caught my eye.
1-2 new groups will also debut next year,And as expected, the comments section was all about this statement that came, out of the blue.
I'm sure we weren't expecting this. About SM debuting a new group next year, as it would be much wiser (but then who am I again to say this. SM knows better.) or rather, safer, to stabilise and focus on its existing groups first. Especially the maknae group EXO which only debuted this year.
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| EXO, SM's latest group |
Many agreed that 2010 and 2011 were good years for SM, as they did not debut any formal groups and chose to promote their current, existing groups. Even Girls' Generation managed to have 3 hits in 2010 (Oh!, Run Devil Run and Hoot).
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| Girls' Generation's Oh!, released 2010 |
With new groups coming in, not just one but maybe two, it really sounds like too much things to handle. And SMTOWN concert will be seriously overcrowded.
But another point of view would be that now that the "second" generation of SJ, SNSD, SHINee, would all be in their 20s next year, and with the many SJ members going into army, SM sort of gained more time in their hands. Some also say that they need to debut new groups earlier for them to grow and gain enough status, when the time comes for SNSD to step down as "The Nation's Girl Group". They'd probably think that they need "new blood" in their company's lineup I guess.
Regarding the possibility of such debuts, it is useful to look at the roster of SM.
2000- BoA
2003- DBSK
2005- SUPER JUNIOR
2007- GIRLS' GENERATION
2008- SHINee
2009- f(x)
2012- EXO
For the years '07-09, they debuted a group each year. So it is not impossible that they decided to debut another one next year after EXO's debut. But the 2 year gap between f(x) and EXO's debuts isn't something to be overlooked, too.
And the momentum. From '05-12, the pattern has always been boy-girl-boy-girl-boy-girl-boy. And GG is said to be the counterpart of SJ (they even considered using the name Super Girls), f(x) was explicitly stated to be the male counterpart of SHINee, with even a list of who was supposed to be who. So it is not a surprise if the upcoming group is gonna be a female version of EXO, with 10+ members and perhaps, even the K and M concept.
Meanwhile, who knows they are considering debuting solos? It's been long, so there is still a chance there.
Lastly, looking at how they have been actively promoting SM Auditions recently in these 2 years, especially this year, it is worthy to take note as well. If they have already debuted 12 boys this year, and maybe the lineup for the new girl group is somewhat settled, they need more trainees.
Overall, I trust SM's judgement. They are afterall, the biggest and most successful entertainment agency in Korea, with really established groups. Not to mention that they've given many top notch universities lectures on marketing, and their branded culture technology. So they have a lot of experience and any decision is probably well thought of.
I like how SM has good foresight. This was part of their secret formula to success. Furthermore, they started KPOP Wave and groomed first-generation legends like H.O.T and Shinhwa.
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| H.O.T and the white ocean |
I like their statement of focusing on Asia instead of the West.
Many groups are focusing on invading the West, with so many articles speculating if KPOP is gonna breakthrough the Western market, including Wonder Girls (JYP) and 2NE1 (YG).
Though there has been somesort of promotion in US for Girls' Generation in 2011 (funny how it's all the girl groups trying), SM has never seen that as a long-term solution. It is just a form of brand building for them.
Their focus is in Asia.
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| SMTOWN concert in Bangkok, Thailand in late 2012. |
They've said it officially. They see the rich rising in Asia and that limelight will be in the East for this decade. Or even century. Hence you see their groups releasing Japanese albums after albums for the world's second biggest music market. And also the debut of EXO-M, for the biggest population in the world.
Teasers for EXO worked too, when others were critical of them releasing 20+ teasers for the debut of EXO. But it has garnered the new boy group a strong fanbase, with already UK fans stalking them around when they went for a music show in UK just weeks after their debut.
So, I have faith in SM's plans, whatever it may be. (Though my heart screams for them to focus on my SNSD AND EXO FIRST.)
And whatever groups that come up next by SM, I would most probably like them, since history has proven that I'm a SM stan. (Even first generation idols, I'm in for H.O.T :D)
Read the article here: http://www.allkpop.com/2012/11/experts-project-sm-entertainment-will-post-40-3-million-usd-in-revenue-for-q4-2012#comment-722068149
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