During an episode of Netflix’s “Popstar Academy,”Bang Si Hyuk’s comments on the importance of star quality and talent have caused a stir within the K-pop community.
On August 21, the much-awaited “Popstar Academy”was finally released on Netflix. This docu-series documents the journey of the world-renowned girl group KASTSEYE, from their initial formation to their rise to fame. The series delves into their casting process, evaluations, and other significant moments of their journey.
As a result of the partnership between HYBE and Geffen Records, HYBE chairman Bang Si Hyuk was among the officials who played a role in the establishment of KATSEYE.
The initial episode introduces a segment where label executives assess potential trainees. The HYBE chairman also provides his perspective on the necessary qualities for idols, delving into the importance of star power.
During the search for additional trainees, Bang Si Hyuk revisited the concept of star power with the casting crew. While many believed skill to be the most crucial factor for idols, the founder disagreed and asserted that star power was the most important trait.
“Typically, individuals hold the belief that skill is of utmost importance. However, for me, star power holds greater significance,”commented Bang Si Hyuk.
This explains a lot about the company pic.twitter.com/qnAyQCtH38
— sunoojzg (@sunoocvnt) August 21, 2024
On Twitter, users were left feeling frustrated after discovering the chairman’s insights on social media platform X.
i’m so disgusted i’ve never wanted to 🤜🏼 someone in the face so badly in my whole life https://t.co/zA1drNCTEI
— 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚 ᡣ𐭩 (@gieyeomiii) August 21, 2024
Thats why hybe is in their downfall era i fear https://t.co/6NUwNP85Ui
— Taylor (@sunooenyah) August 21, 2024
you can’t have star power without skill… https://t.co/St3R2YJYZ2
— kam ♡ (@hanniesangels) August 21, 2024
i’m sorry but they need to stop being this guy on a pedestal just cuz he got lucky ONCE. it’s so obvious he cannot recreate what he did again. https://t.co/4THw8R8pUx
— ❦ #katseyeville (@IoveonIocked) August 21, 2024
Fatman’s biggest nightmare https://t.co/aPjtC3uMJS pic.twitter.com/jFK6AVhoSJ
— im @vivisbowandtie backup (@vivisbowandtie2) August 21, 2024
i agree in terms marketability.for longevity? not so much. https://t.co/6kfD8xLGpu
— 🍉 stream Cosmic 💫💐🌸 (@themilkuyu) August 21, 2024
Everyone knew exactly what this guy is about and yet, it’s still shocking…. dude you really advertise your company under the slogan “we believe in music”💀 https://t.co/OVg3R6WbOO pic.twitter.com/8MdKeu4iKS
— G-Dragon of EXO (@SUJI96808) August 21, 2024
Despite this, there were internet users who presented a contrasting viewpoint on Bang Si Hyuk’s statements.
someone said “what even is star power”girl anyone in this world can dance if they train for it, star power means you catch peoples eyes when you dance, people look at you for the mere fact that youre simply walking in the roomㅡthats why we have the term “born to be a star”😅 https://t.co/sCqstDokNL
— mica | jun’s lǎo pó 🐰 (@mikacarbonilla) August 21, 2024
Literally there’s hella singers and dancers on this earth but not everyone of them can keep your attention long enough https://t.co/gxBn9Ce9m9
— hilly⁷ 💜 (@nxx___28) August 21, 2024
If Starpower could be taught, companies would be focused more on that rather than making their idols have the same face and same personalities. https://t.co/ikS4hXJQz1
— MoMo’s left cheek⁷⁺⁹ (@cheek_momo) August 22, 2024
star power can be manufactured. this type of fame doesn’t always correlate with talent or any achievements, just being sustained by the media and it doesn’t produce authenticity. this is a type of manipulation, essentially. https://t.co/O62cl5h5T8
— soph (@sophiverses) August 22, 2024
i strongly dislike bang pd but seeing people misinterpret this to fit their “hybe artists are talentless” narrative is crazy😭 he means that skill can be trained, star power cannot! it’s something you’ve got to have in you already https://t.co/Wck0aycZGk
— ☾ (@nkzhh) August 21, 2024
Despite K-pop’s success on a global scale, Bang Si Hyuk faced backlash for his comments about the genre on November 7, 2023. During the discussion, he expressed concerns about how a crisis could potentially impact K-pop’s popularity.
The chairman of HYBE argued that the letter “K,”which stands for “Korean”in K-pop, needed to be eliminated. Bang Si Hyuk was convinced that this action would result in more efficient growth and a larger audience for the genre in the music industry.
The comments sparked immediate anger among fans, with many voicing their concern that eliminating the “K”would also disregard the distinctiveness and essence of K-pop.
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