The Prophet Blog

 Just read the AKP version. It’s far different from the Naver article Tiara Diadem posted today, which states that CCM is choosing between three new girls, and that one will be revealed for the new album, and the other member will be revealed later in the year.

I wonder which is correct…

 Diadem just added a new post that basically says everything from the AKP version. It says that one member is being revealed on May 31st and the other on June 7th. The fuck. This is all happening too fast!

I’ve read your arguments against KKS in the line up change. Noted is the Gall Up poll where T-Ara trails behind SNSD which in biz lingo, an indication of an upcoming push against the market leader. This sets the vision in CCM. Of course, the loyalists of T-Ara have this vision of their most favorite on top. But so far, at the peak of Roly Poly and Lovey Dovey, the giants of the industry WG and 2NE1 got no single to challenge these. The Boys was released later in 2011. If The Boys was released at the same time with Roly Poly and Twinkle with Lovey Dovey, who will dominate? More likely the market leader with a larger fan base, highly skilled members and a strong marketing machinery. Capture the feel of this context.

You emphasized that “we don’t come to T-ara for powerhouse vocals. We come to T-ara for their
catchy K-Pop and exciting concept changes, and the fact that they’re not perfect has always been a big part of the group’s appeal.” I assume that “we” here refers to the T-Ara fanbase (which of course is not supported by a formal scientific consumer survey). But let’s assume that.

What’s the reason why the “others”, especially the SONES, don’t put them on their toplist? The answer lies on one of the strengths of SNSD: Impressive vocal acrobatics, a strong non-lypsynch live as well as their international tongue (english). Can Soyeon, the lead vocal, match that acrobatics? As of now, the former SM trainee can’t. It’s a competitive necessity to be sustainable and world class. Don’t they (as well as WG and 2NE1) have exciting concept changes which is tara’s “core competency” as you’ve said? They do have. SNSD have manifested this by a shift to a bluesy jazz song “Twinkle”, ironically, through a shapeshift to a subunit. How sustainable is this “core competency”? It’s as long as the producers can entice the industry’s fan base. But if the market leader can do it as well as the threatening new entrants, the sustainability of T-Ara’s core is vulnerable. In itself, the sustainability of the K-pop industry is doubtful considering the entire music industry.

With regards to the issue of 9 members, an all kpop article quoted Taeyeon in that with the group being 9, they can divide tasks such as promotions and photo sessions, so there’s less burden and more time to rest. As to the distribution of lines, there is a need to realize the tradeoff the strong dance moves vs. vocal acrobatics where breathing, focus and stamina are constraints. There is also an element of emphasis and the fit of the vocalist to the persona of the song plus the individual share of a member in the total T-Ara fanbase (the ultimate fan’s bias) such that those who constitute most will receive more lines and emphasis. Providing an equal sharing of lines will leave fans dissatisfied with their bias’s exposure.

Comprehensive continuous improvement. In a dynamic industry where the giants are shape-shifting, there is a need to distinguish between competitive necessity and competitive advantage; the latter cannot be a substitute for the former, nor can it be called an “edge” if others can do it.

I’m going to dissect your post bit by bit, and then I want you to kindly hush and take ten seats. Okay? Okay.

1.) You mention that had “The Boys” been released at the same time as “Roly-Poly” or “Lovey-Dovey” that it probably would have outperformed those singles. Not true. “The Boys” is one of SNSD’s weakest-selling title tracks to date, while it’s pretty commonplace for T-ara to break the 3.5 million mark as of late. They did it with “Roly-Poly” (4.2 million and counting), “Cry Cry” (3.7 million), and now they’ve done it with “Lovey Dovey” (3.5 million and counting). What I WILL say is that T-ara’s strength does not lie in explosive first week sales, like some other groups are able to do; their strength is in their longevity on the charts, as even after they finish promoting their title tracks they continue to do some healthy charting more akin to how a popular western artist may chart in the U.S. As far as album sales go, I don’t think you’ll hear any sane T-ara fan trying to say that T-ara could go up against SNSD…T-ara’s still gaining momentum, while SNSD is at the apex of their fame. And of course loyalists have a vision of T-ara being at the top, much the same way SONEs like to hold it over everyone’s head that SNSD is currently the top girl group in the world. It’s normal to want your fave/bias group/singer to be at the top, you want everyone else to appreciate them as much as you do, and it would also behoove you to remember that, at one point and time, SNSD was in T-ara’s spot; most people did nothing but bitch and complain about how talentless they were, to the point that they were considered SME’s basement group. Now capture the feel of THAT context.

2.) As far as The Prophet’s claim that “we” refers to the fanbase, that’s true…it also refers to any consumer that may be interested in purchasing one of T-ara’s singles or albums. T-ara is a motley crew of seven girls who have formed a group and, for all intents and purposes, shouldn’t work, but for whatever reason they do. Proph gave several reasons as to why they are so alluring to so many: they have exciting concept changes (I’m sorry, but SNSD, 2NE1 and Wonder Girls simply don’t change up their sound or image as readily or with as much ease as T-ara does), their music is incredibly catchy, and they aren’t perfect. T-ara is the underdog, and when people see them they want to root for them. They aren’t the most talented group, they don’t have the best dancers, they aren’t incredibly gifted singers, but they make the most of what they do have.

3.) The reason SONEs don’t put T-ara at the top of their list is for the same reason that Queen’s don’t put SNSD at the top of theirs…SNSD is simply what appeals to SONEs, just like T-ara is what appeals to the Queen’s. People like SNSD because they are most people’s ideal of the perfect girl: they’re pretty, they’re very talented, and they’re great dancers…but most of the time their concepts aren’t all that exciting and their music is hit-and-miss (especially their album tracks…woof). T-ara, on the other hand, has what I’m looking for primarily in an artist I stan for: incredible music through and through with fun concepts. They don’t allow themselves to be boxed into any specific concept, they’re fluid enough that you never know what you’ll get from them with each comeback. You really don’t get that from SNSD. As I said before, most people know and understand that T-ara’s vocalists aren’t as good as those from other girl groups (and I could argue with you on that one when it comes to Soyeon, Hyomin and Eunjung) but the music is just so amazing that most people don’t care. Being a good vocalist isn’t all there is to music; it’s a huge part, yes, but you can still put out shitty music, and in my opinion, sometimes SNSD does.

4.) Are you new to T-ara? One of the biggest complaints that Queen’s have regarding T-ara is line distribution. The majority of their songs are done by Hyomin and Soyeon with Jiyeon and Eunjung getting a smattering here and there while Qri, Boram, and Hwayoung basically take whatever’s left. T-ara fans are no stranger to line distribution issues, but we’re still here, and we’ll probably stay put even if line distribution becomes even worse. Queen’s have had to endure a lot of stuff over the past few years, so if you think some line distribution issues are going to scare fans off then think again.

In conclusion, I really am not sure why you felt the need to write this in the first place, as this article had nothing to do with SNSD and everything to do with T-ara. Furthermore, I find that your entire short essay was nothing more than your thinly-veiled attempt at saying that SNSD is better than T-ara. I’m going to leave you with this: you don’t come as far as T-ara has come because you don’t have something that sets you apart. T-ara is, for me anyways, a symbol that you don’t have to always be the best or most talented to succeed: sometimes hard work, determination, and the ability to overcome adversity is all it takes. And that, my friend, sets T-ara apart.

Don’t give two shitholes about the new member. I still haven’t memorized all 7, 8, 9, 174282947 members of the top girl groups. The newbie’s on the backburner.

All I’m excited for is my ditzy Queens’ new album. Shall we take over the charts again, my loveys? Fingers crossed for another disco-fied track, costumes fresh from Hyomin’s magical sewing machine, and toss in a 45 minute MV. T-ara’s back, bitches.

the member addition is not needed at all. 

T-ara >>> SNSD #notsorryaboutit

God-ara coming, bitches! Let’s get our Roly-Poly on!

As a huge T-ara supporter, we can’t really do anything about the new addition of the girls. I mean, I don’t see the point in adding two new girls especially when some of the other girls don’t even get that much lines and exposure in songs. I feel like adding new members to a group is only a good idea if the group is new or if the group has failed but since T-ara is very popular and has succeeded, there’s no need for additional members IMO. Why fix something that was never broken?

I really do wish the new girls some good luck because I can tell there’s going to be a lot of hate from fans. 

1.) Saying that T-ara will never surpass SNSD is ridiculous and basically a SONE’s way of reassuring themselves that SNSD will always be at the top. If you had asked anyone a year ago if T-ara would be able to compete with the likes of 2NE1 or KARA, most would have laughed. Never say never; right now T-ara’s spanking SNSD in the digital department in Korea, and SNSD has a full two years of experience over T-ara, along with the backing of one of the largest music entertainment companies in Korea. T-ara’s ascension up the girl group ranks may not have been as swift or easy as some of their contemporaries, but there’s no stopping them right now. T-ara may never surpass SNSD’s record sales, but is it a possibility? Of course. You never know.

2.) You act as if you know what T-ara fans like when so far you’ve done nothing but show that your knowledge of the group and their fanbase is negligable at best. Stop trying to act like you represent the entirety of T-ara’s fanbase, stick with SNSD as you seem to have a pretty good idea of what makes them tick. Right now you’re just arguing semantics and you’re not make any sense. There’s a reason T-ara is called the chameleons of K-Pop, and that’s because everybody knows (and likes) that they change up their sound and concepts so easily. Likewise, most agree that T-ara’s music is pretty damn amazing, as their debut album is lauded as one of the best full-length K-Pop albums by a majority of fans and casual listeners alike. Furthermore, you saying that I don’t know what the majority of their listeners like is an asinine comment on your part as you yourself are claiming to know what T-ara needs to do in order to advance in the industry, which is, in my opinion anyways, hypocritical on your part. There are ALWAYS universal reasons why people like a group; I simply highlighted the reasons why T-ara seems to have come into their own since their debut.

3.) As far as your claims that T-ara need to develop their skills further to attract the attention of outside fans, it could be argued that T-ara has been doing that all along; they’re just now receiving their own fanclub, meaning that T-ara’s current popularity has been gained as a result of not only the fans, but listeners who like what they heard from the group. What does that mean? T-ara’s popularity growth has been primarily a result of being loved by Korea as a whole, and not just a faction of fans who have bulk bought their albums and voted like crazy for their idols on weekly music shows. Furthermore, the addition of these two new members may very well help to take T-ara to the next level as well; if one of these girls is from America like it’s being reported, then there’s a chance for them to possibly connect more readily with western fans, helping them gain notoriety in other areas throughout the world. Also, if their new music is any indicator, they’re obviously going for a more mature sound with their next comeback. Look to other countries such as Japan, Thailand, and China, and you’ll see that T-ara is making efforts to connect with other fanbases in Asia. Furthermore, they’ve found their niche in music, and that’s that they utilize their acting skills to help give them a leg up on their competition. They’re making the most out of the skills they do have while also hiding their weaknesses, which is what any good group will do.

Anyways, to wrap this up, I just think that you’re overlooking too many of the things that T-ara’s doing right while choosing to focus on what T-ara does wrong. I honestly do believe that they are progressing as a group, although they are going through some pretty serious growing pains right now.

Well if you want to know what makes T-ara so special, why don’t you listen to them and check them out for yourself? Sometimes you have to experience something firsthand for you to realize why everybody else is getting into it. Check out their music, watch their variety shows, check out some of their performances (I’d suggest watching Roly-Poly, Cry Cry, and Lovey-Dovey performances as some of their earlier promotional cycles didn’t yield the best performances from them)…see why so many people are falling in love with them firsthand.