
Yoon Jong Shin, Yoo Hee Yeol, and the Changing Landscape of K-Pop
Over the last few years, the K-Pop market has shown a diversification of genres, as well as a shift in power among key players.
While there companies that depend heavily on idols, such as the “Big 3,” consisting of SM, YG and JYP, there are also others that have caught the public’s attention with their offerings of ballad singers and singer-songwriters. Smaller companies have found that the internet has given them greater avenues to promote themselves, such as via YouTube and various SNS. Yoon Jong Shin’s Mystic89 and Yoo Hee Yeol’s Antenna Music are two such up-and-coming labels.
Mystic89 is home to Kim Yeon Woo, Park Ji Yoon, Jang Jae In, Puer Kim, Jo Jung Chi, Harim and Lim Kim, while Antenna Music houses artists such as Lucid Fall, Jung Jae Hyung and Peppertones.
Yoon Jong Shin and Yoo Hee Yeol, the faces of their respective companies, began their careers as singers and have demonstrated themselves as gifted entertainers. This has helped them build public recognition and a high degree of familiarity, which has helped with company branding.
Yoon Jong Shin has taken on acting roles in sitcom “Nonstop 4” and daily drama “Tae Hee, Hye Kyo, Ji Hyun,” and participates actively in variety programs, such as MBC’s “Radio Star.” Yoo Hee Yeol emcees KBS 2TV music program, “Yoo Hee Yeol’s Sketchbook,” a role he undertook in 2009, and has appeared on MBC’s “Infinity Challenge Music Festival,” displaying his unique sense of humor.
In addition, both have solidified their reputations as musicians and producers through their appearance on audition programs. Yoon Jong Shin and Yoo Hee Yeol joined the judging panels of Mnet “Superstar K” and SBS “K-Pop Star 3” respectively, a move that put their agencies in the spotlight.
Antenna Music recently carried out some interior work on the building, which was revealed through “K-Pop Star 3.” Spaces, such as practice rooms, were prepared for the “K-Pop Star 3” contestants cast by Antenna Music. Yoo Hee Yeol’s participation in the audition program has either driven, or contributed to, his plans for the expansion of Antenna Music.
Mystic89’s golden girl, Lim Kim, was originally part of Togeworl (Two Months), a duo that made their first appearance through “Superstar K.” She debuted as a solo artist last year, and has clearly made a strong impression on listeners and the music industry. She received newcomer awards at the 2013 Melon Music Awards, the 2014 Golden Disk Awards and the Seoul Music Awards.
Mystic89 has laid the groundwork for it to become an all-round entertainment company, with singers like Park Ji Yoon, and husband-wife couple, director and screenwriter Jang Hang Joon and screenwriter Kim Eun Hee signed to the label.
Meanwhile, Baek Ji Young’s agency, WS Entertainment, has also been strengthening its position, with the signing of rookies Gilgu Bonggu and Yoo Sung Eun (“Voice Korea”) in 2013.
Pop music critic Kang Tae Kyu commented, “K-Pop is becoming richer and more diverse, as companies are developing their own talents and trying to differentiate their music from idol group releases.”
soompi
special shoutout to all the hardworking omonians who have been posting new music from mystic89, antenna, loen, fluxus etc! what other companies are worth looking into?
soompi
special shoutout to all the hardworking omonians who have been posting new music from mystic89, antenna, loen, fluxus etc! what other companies are worth looking into?
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Date: 2014-02-10 12:28 am (UTC)But omg Yoo HeeYeol is so amazing. His words were really kind to her when he said he'll met her in another stage and he would play the piano for her like he did during practice :(
I was really upset seeing that girl go, Bae MinAh is so overrated imo, I can't believe the judges chooser her over Hong JeongHee :(!
I'm rooting for Yoo HeeYeol and his team, he's really trying SO hard for his kids, even though he doesn't have trainers in his company he had help from amazing singers which is even better imo. I just want to see most of his kids get in the top 10 tbh.
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Date: 2014-02-10 06:07 am (UTC)It's like a movie where you have those giants with their cafeterias and practice rooms which are bigger than all of Antenna Music together and all those trainers and equipment on the one hand and on the other hand a small studio and an even smaller dance studio where jumping means making a hole in the roof.
My eyes became wet when he made that crying sound and the sad-as-fuck background music really didn't help T___T
Bae MinAh is not bad, but kind of forgettable for me. Junghee was carrying their last duet performance, and her song this time was different and really touched me. It was hard to see how she bravely tried to smile through the whole elimination, she's a strong one. I know that Junghee had little chances to win this competition, but it would have been so nice to see her in the TOP 10.
Something are one of my favourites this year, so I hope they will win this round. Their last performance was not that great, so I'm worried...
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Date: 2014-02-09 01:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-02-09 02:17 pm (UTC)also op, please fix the post. it's hard to read when the paragraphs aren't properly spaced
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Date: 2014-02-09 05:36 pm (UTC)