2018: Predictions
- ken prado
- Jan 12, 2018
- 6 min read
It is a brand new year. The previous year has been full of ground breaking feats and unexpected partings. It is the first month of a 2018 and there are a lot in store for the K-Pop industry. In this blog entry, I will list down some of my bold predictions for 2018, the predictions I will state are either factual or just solely my opinion and may or may not actually happen this year, only time can tell.
1. More Groups will get recognition
It is a new year and it means a brand new start for everyone, especially those idol groups who are "underrated" and deserve to be in the spotlight. I am positive that lesser known groups will step forward into the spotlight and gain more recognition from the public. This is because K-pop fans especially Koreans are exploring more music options and not only focusing on mainstream idol groups from big agencies.
The photo above is a group called Momoland from DubleKick Company - an agency who was mainly focused on producing music for other agencies. In 2016, they decided to form their own girl group through a survival program called Finding Momoland - the show was aimed in sieving out the trainees until the top seven trainees were later revealed. Momoland then made their debut in 2016 with members - Hyebin, Yeonwoo, Nancy, Nahyun, Joo E, Ah In and Jane originally with their debut song being Jjang! Kkoong! Kwang!. During their first comeback for the song titled Wonderful Love, their agency decided to include members Taeha (former Starship Entertainment trainee) and Daisy (former JYP Entertainment trainee) to make the group a nine member girl group. After the group promoted Wonderful love, they then returned again in 2017 with their song called Freeze!.
In January 11, 2018 they made their comeback for this year with the song Bboom Bboom. The song has earned the group their first win on a music show. A great way to start the year indeed.
A win on a music show is one of the basis if a song is doing great with the public and also physical and digital sales are doing good as well.
So why do I think groups like Momoland will make it big?
1. Talent is not only exclusive to big companies
2. Momoland is an uncanny girl group - if you watch their music videos, they do ridiculous stuff but they are committed in performing them, especially member Joo E. They utilize the dance move called "dabbing" a dance move that is not so familiar in South Korean dances but they (Momoland) has made it a staple in their companies.
3. Nancy. She is the member with resemblance to our very own Liza Soberano. In Facebook alone, I have stumbled dozens of videos mistaking her as Liza; especially Filipino pages. Even my Facebook friends are intrigued by her; there have been lots of comparison posts pitting them side by side. It could be just like how Filipinos welcome Sandara Park, it could just be like that
Sadly, Nancy is of English decent and was born in the United States of America and grew up in South Korea when her parents migrated.
There are other underrated groups who have been in the dark for years now, and I believe all of them are deserving to be number one.
2. Curtain call
K-pop groups are formed through contracts. These contracts usually have a lifespan of seven years being the most common. In the year 2017, there were some expected and unexpected disbandments that left fans in a wreck.
One of the disbandments that shook the world was Sistar's. The group was one of South Korea's pride when all of a sudden the group plans to release a new song entitled Lonely. Their agency Starship entertainment has revealed that this will be the groups final song before parting ways.
It took fans by surprise as Sistar is a group with a strong bond and good track record when it comes to their career. Sadly the group has been doing their solo promotions up to this day in their respective agencies.
It just proves that even well known succumb to disbandment, and 2018 is a year where more groups will fade into the shadows and continue on with their personal lives on or even off the eyes of the public. Another year for fans like me - embracing the painful heartbreak and harsh reality. I already have my picks for the groups who might call it quits this year but it is too early to say, there may be sudden turn of events (hopefully).
3. Big Debuts
New year means new groups to look out for; as the years pass by K-pop groups get bigger and more diverse.
One of the most anticipated debuts of 2018 is by Block Berry Creative's girl group LOONA.
I like the agencies approach to their first ever girl group, why? These are the reasons why
The group is on a total budget of 4 million dollars. The group is rumored to be composed of 13 members. Each month, for a year a member will release a solo song and in between the members will form unit groups and release new songs as well. One member for 12 months mirroring the phases of the moon - the origin of the group name LOONA; for me that's creatively genius. According to online speculations there are 13 members because the 6th member resembles the eclipse which will bring together the other 12 members of the group - indeed a group that lets your brain thinking harder. As of January, the group is composed of Heejin, Hyunjin, Haseul, Yeojin, Vivi, Jin Soul, Kim Lip, Choerry, Yves, and Chuu - later this month, the 11th member will be revealed. The mysterious promotions of their agency has hyped up everyone for their full debut as a group this year.
Fun fact: It has crossed my mind to buy each member's solo album as well as the unit albums, upon tallying my total expense it would cost me nearly ten thousand pesos alone not including the shipping that is like my tuition for this semester. I decided to wait for the whole group album instead, and get back to their solo albums when I have a stable job
4. Second Leads will be First
2018 will be the year 2nd lead actors will be the main star and win everyone's heart.
Just like many second lead actors out there, I firmly believe that 2018 is the year where they will win over the hearts of the female lead in dramas.
Seo Kang Joon who started his career as "always the 2nd lead" has now landed a role as the male lead. He has proven his worth as an actor and slowly climbed up the ranks. He has starred with Nam Joo Hyuk and Lee Sun Kyung in the drama Cheese in the Trap ( 5 out of 5 stars for their acting in the drama) as well as with former Wonder Girls member Sohee in the drama Entourage.
Kangjoon proves he is not only about looks but as well as talent, he will be in the KBS drama Are You Human, Too? set to air this year.
5. Filipino Pride
2017 was a year where some Filipino-blooded idol stars have broke in the K-pop scene.
This is Kriesha Chu of Urban Works Entertainment. She is from Cebu but has moved to South Korea with her family. She made her first television appearance on the talent show K-Pop Star where she revealed to the audience she has Filipino blood. Kriesha has made her debut with the song Trouble last year, today she is promoting her new song Like Paradise. She has also scored some magazine photoshoots, cosmetic endorsements, and even a Netflix series.
I believe she will make it big because she is one of us and Filipinos are really supportive when it comes to idols and celebrities. There is no question Kriesha has the talent, all she needs is the proper promotion and for the people to notice her. Werpa lang lodi.
Well, those were just some of the predictions I can make as of now. Will they come true? Let us find out together. Til the next blog entry, here is Kriesha Chu's latest song, Like Paradise:
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