YGEnt is also the label known for not forcing their stars to dance. Even JYP's ballad group dances well.
It's an old conundrum. Does an artist have a responsibility to perform music that uses all of their talents? Should someone with the ability to pull off amazing runs, high notes, or powerful belting have them in the majority of their songs?
On the one hand, I've snarked about how some Kpop has obligatory belting or obligatory raps, the need to display some skills locking artists into a formula, and there seems to be sentiment among the comments on TTS's Twinkle, or Xtina's contribution to Moves Like Jagger. Meanwhile, the perceived lack of vocal skill in Jpop has idols singing in genres they have no business singing in, bring a whole new timbre to and often fundamental twists on said genres. On the other hand, people have complained about the likes of T-ara and 4minute not properly showcasing the singing talent of the girls by sticking them with simple-melody and simple-rhythm hook songs, having them use less polished pop voices that, all the same, stand out from other groups for it.
Does Lee Hi have to sing songs and stick to genres that make the best use of a soulful voice? (As singles, of course. Album tracks are always open for everything)
I don't think "the combination of kid-like moxie and a true soul voice" is going to be a problem. There are plenty of 16-year-old idols that simply ignore their age conceptually, and tend to have less of a chance of a child star flameout for it. The Judy Garland approach played up her youth visually, and then let her voice inform the character of depth. And then, of course, there's always the standard idol approach of simply splitting the contrast into on-stage and off. Leave the kid-like moxie for variety and reality tv, and continue to play up broken-heart/love veteran concepts in music. Dorky dancing can happen in both to keep winning fans over. Everyone loves a dorky dancer idol.
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It's an old conundrum. Does an artist have a responsibility to perform music that uses all of their talents? Should someone with the ability to pull off amazing runs, high notes, or powerful belting have them in the majority of their songs?
On the one hand, I've snarked about how some Kpop has obligatory belting or obligatory raps, the need to display some skills locking artists into a formula, and there seems to be sentiment among the comments on TTS's Twinkle, or Xtina's contribution to Moves Like Jagger. Meanwhile, the perceived lack of vocal skill in Jpop has idols singing in genres they have no business singing in, bring a whole new timbre to and often fundamental twists on said genres. On the other hand, people have complained about the likes of T-ara and 4minute not properly showcasing the singing talent of the girls by sticking them with simple-melody and simple-rhythm hook songs, having them use less polished pop voices that, all the same, stand out from other groups for it.
Does Lee Hi have to sing songs and stick to genres that make the best use of a soulful voice? (As singles, of course. Album tracks are always open for everything)
I don't think "the combination of kid-like moxie and a true soul voice" is going to be a problem. There are plenty of 16-year-old idols that simply ignore their age conceptually, and tend to have less of a chance of a child star flameout for it. The Judy Garland approach played up her youth visually, and then let her voice inform the character of depth.
And then, of course, there's always the standard idol approach of simply splitting the contrast into on-stage and off. Leave the kid-like moxie for variety and reality tv, and continue to play up broken-heart/love veteran concepts in music. Dorky dancing can happen in both to keep winning fans over. Everyone loves a dorky dancer idol.