Lesser-known K-pop bands struggling amid the pandemic

While popular K-pop bands like BTS and Blackpink have gone from strength to strength during coronavirus pandemic, lesser-kwn acts are struggling.

gap between world famous and more obscure K-pop acts has never been greater — a situation exacerbated by pandemic, which has been a huge blow to music-related industries around world.

Global K-pop bands have mand to expand ir fan bases over past months through various online gigs. But ors, including Girls Alert, have seen concerts canceled and personal appearances postponed due to social distancing measures.

Girls Alert, which debuted in 2017, didn’t see it coming, just like everyone else.

By late 2019, young five-piece group — me up of Jisung, Saetbyul, Gooseul, Narin and Seulbi — h toured all around South Korea. Like or lesser-kwn bands, y've performed pretty much everywhere, from military bases to orphans.

members of Girls Alert said y initially chased glitz and fame just like or new K-pop acts. But y said that after ir debut, y found that reality of business was far different from what y h expected.

Jisung said she and or members led a “dirt spoon” existence after ir debut, a term for a person who earns relatively little in South Korea with little chance for social mobility.

singer, who is in her early 20s, said band h to take care of everything — outfits, dance training, hair and makeup — by mselves, unlike more popular K-pop acts that have entire entours of staff members. “We h to get clos from Dongdaemun and plan our outfits with accessories all by ourselves,” Jisung said, referring to a large wholesale market in Seoul with maze-like alleyways.

K-pop music videos are kwn for ir sleek and futuristic aestics, a contrast to Girls Alert's humble video filmed at Olympic Park in Seoul. Jisung ted that re were balloons in video. "We h to blow m up one by one by ourselves,” she said.

While juggling her band responsibilities, Jisung also h to work at a sushi restaurant and help out at her parents’ cold bean odles restaurant.

Gooseul, meanwhile, doubled as a dance trainer while navigating band's schedule.

Members say things improved when a new label led by Kim Tae-hyun took over group.

Kim’s own career has been turbulent. He worked as a manr of Im Chang-jung, a wildly popular singer-songwriter in 1990s, and lost a hand in a car accident in 2002.

Since taking over Girls Alert in 2017, Kim said he has spent around 800 million won ($734,000) of his own money, which includes fees for band's accommodation, van maintenance, hair and makeup, and a personal trainer.

In April, Kim — whom members describe as a far-like figure — asked band members if y wanted to terminate ir contracts and seek better opportunities elsewhere, as coronavirus pandemic showed sign of easing.

He didn’t ask for any penalty fees, which are often hefty and are frequently imposed by labels when band members try to depart.

Jisung said she asked Kim if he was abandoning group, and refused to leave — a sentiment echoed by Gooseul and Seulbi.

Saetbyul and Narin elected to leave band.

pandemic has been a heavy blow to musicians around world, but K-pop acts are more vulnerable, with many lacking financial and social skills necessary to make ends meet. majority of young performers spend nearly ir entire olescence — as long as 10 years — training and abiding by strict rules imposed by labels that often include strict dieting and rigid practice schedules.

Around 200 to 400 K-pop bands have debuted in past dece, according to multiple South Korean media reports. With a success rate of less than 1%, it’s alrey a risky game, and with pressure from pandemic, some lesser-kwn groups like Spectrum and NeonPunch have disbanded this year.

Despite difficulties, Kim said he’s t rey to abandon hope on Girls Alert.

“If y don’t give up, I won’t give up,” he said.

(Im credit: AP)