So earlier today, my friends were talking about how f(x) is going to advance into the Japanese market, and how (a) they should promote in China instead and (b) f(x) has yet to solidify popularity in Korea. I wrote some thoughts on this, tell me what you think! Won't be too long, I hope.
[collapse=f(x) stuff]So I really like f(x). As the current "babies" of S.M., however, they haven't really been gaining explosive popularity compared to their seniors - TVXQ, Super Junior, Soshi, SHINee. And now S.M. wants to kick them into the Japanese market? They're not even too popular in Korea - they don't even have a fanclub name for crying out loud. EXO will probably have a fanclub name before f(x). I think the main problem is that S.M. does not give f(x) music which lets them capitalize or showcase their strengths. Instead, they're given music that, while good, is not outstanding and only gives glimpses of their potential.
Let's compare f(x) with another girl group - 2NE1. If you think about it, 2NE1 and f(x) are very similar - both groups debuted in 2009, are managed under one of the best entertainment companies in Korea, and even have similar group structure / setup. Both groups have a badass rapper (Amber & CL), a powerful dancer (Victoria & Minzy), a talented vocalist (Luna & Bom), and kinda someone who's there for looks (Sulli, Krystal & Dara). Furthermore, both groups are proficient in multiple languages - English, Chinese, Tagalog, etc. But if you look at 2NE1's music, you see that each member does more than just those listed above.
CL is one of the fiercest rappers in the industry, and Amber definitely has talent to match up with her. However, I can't name a single f(x) song where Amber's talent is truly expressed. In fact, the best example of Amber's rapping ability isn't even in an f(x) song - Danson Tang's "I'm Back" reveals what kind of stuff Amber brings to the table, but is just supressed in their own music. Via "Lonely" and "Ugly", CL showcased her impressive vocals, and while Amber also does have a good voice, the most recent "sighting" of Amber's vocals was in a Christmas special...two years after their debut. Speaking of rapping, let's not forget that both Dara and Minzy have also shown us that they shouldn't be underestimated, either. "Clap Your Hands" is a prime example of how 2NE1 brings multiple talents out in their music.
Victoria and Minzy are both amazing dancers. You always see Minzy working her magic in segments ("Can't Nobody", "I Am The Best") but never Victoria. Soshi's Hyoyeon gets mini-solos of dance, why can't Victoria? Luna's popularity can skyrocket if you just released more solos. Let's be honest, Park Bom's "You & I" and "Don't Cry" are fantastic songs which show her fantastic ability, since she's usually limited to the chorus of 2NE1's music. But Luna has no solo releases or good segments in f(x)'s music. Only "NU ABO" comes to mind when I think of Luna's vocals. Wanna see how Luna sings?
Watch this.
As far as Krystal and Sulli goes, there really isn't much. Spread their talents around, you know? Krystal speaks English, maybe give her an English single and meanwhile teach Sulli how to rap or something.
So S.M., do something about your maknaes. They're severely underrated and will continue to be if you don't do anything about their music. I know EXO is coming, but I hope you won't neglect f(x) and instead take them to greater heights.[/collapse]
I wrote much more than expected, maybe I should write stuff like this more often, lol.
![Terywj [태리]](/data/avatars/l/71/71007.jpg?1555906021){kind=avatar}
) is not showcased in f(x) songs or in solo release like Bom.
