Music Programs are still cheap to the Idols

[shanny-w.livejournal.com]

Eye Catching Comeback Stage = 30,000,000 Won (roughly ~$20,600 dollars with the given exchange rate)
Wireless Mics = 6,000,000 Won (~$4,134)
Apparel / Accessories = Few Hundred Thousand Won (Few Thousand Dollars)
Dancers + Session Fee = Great Burden (Still a great burden even converted into dollars)
Being in the red... PRICELESS. Just kidding, but apparently this is still considered a worthwhile investment.

Whether it be Korea's top singers or popular idol groups, their activity costs comes up to tens of thousands of dollars. Despite the huge costs involved with performing on stage at Music Programs, these singers still perform... despite receiving only a ridiculous sum of $200 from the cheap music programs.


The Untouchable Comeback Stage.
The final thing to prepare for during an album release is a comeback stage. For top singers this is a high priority, trying to be dazzling and impressive in their comeback. For an upcoming comeback stage, artists must prepare up to a month in advance in choosing their stage outfits, choreography, etc. The reason for the lavish display is not only fan service for the fans but to make an impact to the general public. KBS's Music Bank, MBC's Music Core, SBS's Inkigayo are the three main music programs, and they all share a Comeback Special segment. Normally, singers get about 3 minutes to sing one song, but during a special Comeback stage, singers are allowed 2 to 3 songs for a total of about 6 to 7 minutes. Who wouldn't want to take advantage of that extra airtime?

Dazzling Comeback Stages Average $7,000, Up to $20,000+
A-list stars spend upwards of $7,000 for one stage. The costs include the Brilliant outfits, back dancers, session men, they use dozens of people which adds up. One of the most costly items are clothes and accessories. MC Mong's main stylist said "In the case of Dance and Hip Hop Artists, they need to provide the clothes for their dancers as well, making up a higher cost than regular solo artists. Especially during comebacks, within one week normally you go on 3 to 4 stages and therefore have to have different outfits for each. In MC Mong's case, depending on the stage it ranges from $4,000~$10,000." Rather than getting regular outfits from stores, more often than not outfits are specially designed. In the case of popular idol groups, before an album is released an apparel team is sent to Hong Kong to find the newest trends or they seek out a famous designer to design an outfit for them. Which costs even more money.

Additional Costs
Although normally the stage is set up by the production team with a fee, in special cases the artists may work together with the production team to hire a set designer. Whether it's fake snow or firecrackers, special items such as those costs thousands of extra dollars (or wons). In world star Rain's / Bi's case, his wireless microphones were specially ordered with a transmitter-receiver that made the mics alone $4000~5000. And I thought his magic stick was expensive!

In reality, appearing on stage is a $20,000 affair.
Even with the significant costs associated with a single stage, artists are willing to put in the money. A representative from a top management company said "We don't think of it as a loss. It's an investment for album promotions and marketing. Recently, singers have created their own ideas to decorate the stage and are willing to use personal expenses to do so in order to show the fans their passion."

On the other hand, those without a strong company to back them up financially often find it hard to offset the costs of going on stage. Especially by receiving only $200 for appearing on stage from the Music Programs, which is way too little now, it should be increased. All of this is pretty ridiculous, but the show must go on to entertain. Luckily the entertainment companies have deep pockets and pay their artists pretty well, especially Dong Bang Shin Ki.




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Comments

[bakadeshi-desu.livejournal.com]

Luckily the entertainment companies have deep pockets and pay their artists pretty well, especially Dong Bang Shin Ki.

Wasn't there this rumor floating around a while back that they got paid jack all, and that SM was keeping most of their earnings?

[anicaasharp.livejournal.com]

rumor? this is probably the truth sadly.

[chibi-rei.livejournal.com]

That's true with artists and their companies all over the world.

While artists get paid a certain striped/percentage they stand to make most of their money off of concerts (what with tickets and merchandise). Their recording companies make most of their money off of albums and appearances.

[-ochre.livejournal.com]

idk man. the boys own 2 cars each, yoochon has three. jae has a ton of LV stuff. Maybe they don't earn whatever they make, but I think they earn enough to lead a comfy lifestyle.

[shanny-w.livejournal.com]

Maybe the boys threatened to leave if they didnt get more money. Srsly how could they replace them and their ~*beauty*~, haha.

[-ochre.livejournal.com]

lmao i think the boys are bound to SM for what, 10 years? God that's depressing lol.

[shanny-w.livejournal.com]

I wonder if they will slip into obscurity after and get married & have little bbz. I cant even picture them as ajusshies.

[-ochre.livejournal.com]

Far off, you can hear the cries of many fangirls...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...........................................

(tbh, i wld want to see a bb jaejoong)

[shanny-w.livejournal.com]

[-ochre.livejournal.com]

God he was such a fat baby lol

[bulgocrazyi.livejournal.com]

OR SM just gives them that shit so they don't whine about more money? It's not odd for companies to give their stars 'gifts'.

[kyujong.livejournal.com]

>Luckily the entertainment companies have deep pockets and pay their artists pretty well

Whut. I've only heard about how crap the pay is for singers.

[petticoatvixen.livejournal.com]

Everyone says DBSK is earning bank now... I think the keyword here is now. I know BoA makes a lot and probably keeps a decent portion of it. I think it'd be interesting to know just how much they're really paid. I wonder if it's like the Japanese allowance system?

Also hi you.

[kyujong.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's better these days. I remember reading how H.O.T used to get like...1 cent a CD or something totally insane. The pay probably still isn't that high tho, I would guess. Cause I think the way it works for a lot of artists is the company will pay for things like housing/clothes/food etc but they don't get much actual spending money of their own.

Haaaay~ I finally decided to start commenting lmao.

[petticoatvixen.livejournal.com]

That is insane! I mean idk since I don't keep up with them too much anymore, but a fangirl I know says Mickey owns a big house and I know he bought the car from Iron Man. Of course he could have rented or leased it... I think most artists get that deal or at least the ones just starting up. I always think how the money is split in a big group, I mean just look at SNSD and SJ, you know they won't be receiving much from the cds. Also I bet the companies look at as recouping the investment they put into them as trainees.

GOOD! Everyone is super nice, you'll like it here :)

[kyujong.livejournal.com]

No doubt. I think a nice chunk of money current artists make goes to training new ones. A little musical circle of life lmao. Also I think it depends on the company. YG artists probably get pretty good pay. Don't know anything about how DSP pays though, hmm. The SS boys don't seem too poor so hopefully they fare well haha.

It does seem nice. Plus it will be fun to actually get to talk about kpop outside of my own journal ramblings haha.

[petticoatvixen.livejournal.com]

Ya I've always heard that, especially about SM. It would be so interesting to know what company pays the most though. It's like when you used to be able to see who had to pay what on their taxes in Japan and you could find out who was the richest celebrity.

Rambling is good.

[petticoatvixen.livejournal.com]

I've always wondered who ends up shilling out for those elaborate sets. The sets just keep getting more elaborate as they all try to outdo one another.

Interesting look at the kpop world though! I love articles like this.

[paatriiing.livejournal.com]

This is precisely why I decided not to be a pop star. looool *cough*

...Anyway. Must be hard being in SuJu seeing as they have to split things into 13. :O

[anicaasharp.livejournal.com]

i think that's why they try to do the variety show circuit and cfs as much as possible.

[-ochre.livejournal.com]

and radio shows lol

[-ochre.livejournal.com]

Anyway lol, SNSD's outfits can't possibly hit $10K right. RIGHT?

[automatic-love.livejournal.com]

I doubt their outfits hit more than $10 a piece! lol

[milkshake.livejournal.com]

Luckily the entertainment companies have deep pockets and pay their artists pretty well, especially Dong Bang Shin Ki.

lol, except that all the money that the companies put in the promotion, they expect to get back. So if the album ends up selling REALLY well, then the artists get paid well, if the album sells ok, they'll get hardly anything, and if the album doesn't sell well.. they probably end up owing money to the company... :/