my SoShi addiction is far from over. I saw their Gee music video last year by accident. It was during the time the Wonder Girls were very popular. While everybody was busy listening to WG's Nobody and trying to learn their dance, I was watching Gee instead (I remember it was even my YM status). But even if I always watched their Gee MV as a mood changer (like 50 First Dates which i just saw last weekend. cant listen to the soundtrack since the soundtrack sets me in summer mode), I wouldn’t consider myself addicted to them yet. I just liked their music video. That was that.
It was only August of this year that I got hooked to this girl group (speaking of getting addicted, there was a time i got addicted to collecting female celeb wallpapers. thats why i have thousands of wallpapers and had a wallpaper software that would change the desktop wallpaper every 15 minutes so i could use all the wallpapers i downloaded. unfortunately, my primary source for such wallpapers already ceased to exist). While browsing for Youtube vids, I tried watching Gee again and accidentally saw their newer music video "Oh!" that’s how it all started. Maybe it was because of the bar review and the intense boredom that I started watching more and more of their vids (or its really in my personality. im just reviving what i thought was something im too old to do). The more I watch, the more I cant not watch. And I think the reason im still hooked is because I find it impressive how nine girls can be put together and make such a group last this long (they're on their third year, going for four). Sure they underwent years of training and under the watchful eye of their agency but I think its no easy feat to select the right combination of girls. It took a few screenings and tests before the talent company was able to come up with the nine members from their pool of trainees. The fact that it worked just shows the successful screening process.
Their progress as a group is well documented too. They have programs that show them before their debut, when they moved in together in their dorm and programs that show how they progress as a group. In a way, they are overexposed (and im not complaining). But what really makes me wonder is how their manager handles all of them. Its not like they're strictly a girl group. Some of them have other gigs as individuals, like drama actress, recurring roles in tv series programs, DJ, VJ, musicals, solo and mini projects, etc. They also attend a lot of programs from game shows to variety shows to talk shows to reality programs. They either go as a group or just send some representative/s (so I guess there's a distinction sometimes when they attend a tv program, whether they are attending as a representive of their girl group or in their individual capacity). They also had or have an Asia Tour Concert this year and at the same time trying to establish themselves in Japan (that's why they also have a dorm in Japan. They also attend the local japanese shows). Just last weekend, they had a concert in Taiwan. So being their manager is far from being a simple task. I think the management is lucky to have come up with nine members that can take care of themselves well but to handle so many affairs inside and outside their country and try to think of ways to properly promote them still makes their job complicated. The company/agency also have a lot of other successful korean groups. I really just find it impressive. I never had any interest in corporate affairs before but seeing how this korean company is doing well in managing its talents makes me curious about the thought process of entertainment companies. I think to be successful, the company must really look into the mind of the public and individuals, of certain classes and age groups, etc. and in promoting their kpop groups overseas, they must also study the culture, how to make a good impact and at the same time make sure that they don’t lose their korean identity as well. Their entertainment business is not simply about entertaining, its also about promoting their culture to other countries in a way that doesn’t clash or cause a negative disruption in the culture of another country. I guess its easier to break in the Japanese entertainment industry since their cultures arent too different compared to other Asian countries but the girl group is also popular in Thailand. So im also wondering if the management can go that far. And whether group will have the stamina to do it.
I don’t know how long this group will last. They could break up anytime. But with the kind of relationship they have with each other at the moment, it looks like they wont be breaking up anytime soon. They may even last forever (as they constantly say in jest to their interviewers when asked how long they will last). Another reason why I got hooked is because I really like to see a group function well. To see individuals complement and/or supplement each other. That's why I liked watching my college block, law school block and OLA team. Its nice to watch a real and unscripted sitcom. That’s also the reason why im usually a passive observer.
