Korean pop stars are called idols as they are marketed and expected to be perfect 24/7. A lot of idols are triple threats due to the training courses they take before debut, all can sing and dance and many others act along side. Due to their huge impact and popularity many brands in Korea have idols as ambassadors or models for their brands, may idols are now starting to be global ambassadors and are coming across into American and UK marketing , such as Jackson Wang (GOT7 Member) being the face for Ray ban and Kai (EXO Member) being the face for Gucci eye wear.

A Lot of songs are in both Korean and English, with fan chats involved for live shows. This is something that helps make the fans feel apart of the performances and each group and song has different chants to work best with the beat and lyrics. An  example  shown  bellow.  (Bold font is the fan chant)

Kpop albums and types of contents –

• Lead singles for each album
• B Side tracks
• Into and outro tracks
• Solo songs
• Mix tapes
• Japanese version of their lead singles are very popular, and English version are becoming just as popular recently
• Most groups bring out 4 version of each album photo concept book to show case the ideas behind the album, they become collective pieces for fans
• Many male idols hold a feminine style and push with fashion and make up while still holding a masculinity in their form and aesthetic.
• They all are strong and play with concepts a lot within each album and song. Concepts are a main focus point across all marketing, staging and photo book that comes with the album.

RESEARCH NOTES

Book – The Global Music Industry, By Naoki Sekine and Dick Weissman

Chapter 7 – The music business of Asia

• Unique in the size development speed
• Broadband and phone use is huge
• Digital music down loading services are super quick
• Korean radio plays Korean and English music.
• Korean music is played across all of Asia through radio

• Asian music market is more familiar with CD packages over CDs sold separate

• Korean TV channels receive fee from entertainment companies to play video clips
• No official sale charts in Asia (Melon music Korea is online streaming charts)
• South Korea is reluctant to play J-Pop (Japanese pop) on radios due the history between the two which is why artists do separate Japanese version of their songs and promotions to still connect with their fans.
• Music audiences on Korea see concerts as ‘Fan meetings’ for new promo

• Asian music market is dominated by Asian artists over Western artists

• Production deal – The process of training idols and keeping them set to one entertainment company
• Korean labels have no access to over sea markets which is why many idols work with western labels for over sea promotions, and is changing the more popular K-pop is globally.

From this i’m going to research into an Idol i think would work well to create solo album. T0 understand the elements needed for a specific artist and press packs to fit the way Korean entertainment companies work and what elements i need to create and design to have a full working album launch that would work in both South Korea and US and UK.