So, that new Super M group from SM is focusing on a US debut?
I was not expecting that. Is that a little odd?

2
15

    I find it a bit odd as well. The group itself – I love! But the US debut? Suddenly my expectations for style and sound went down. I hope they don’t go all out with an English language release (though I think they know that won’t work).

    I like K-pop when it is the catchy, weird concept, incorporating American sounds and English words but fundamentally WEIRD itself. When groups target the US, they tend to lose that innate whackiness I’ve come to love. So yeah – :(.

    Either way, SM is trying something fresh (re-trying? SM the Ballad?) so I’m looking forward to it.

    1
    2

      I’m looking forward to it too. I hope it is not full english songs though those can be great like some of Epik High’s.

      It feels like this could be really fun and good and like you said fresh. It could also be forgettable. But I’m looking forward to it. I’ve really enjoyed recent SHINee and EXO songs and Taemin and Baekhyun’s solo work this year.

      1
      1

        With Epik High, Tablo is fluent in English and they aren’t idol pop. Epik High’s english stuff makes way more sense than most idol group’s efforts. haha

        Yes to Shinee & Exo and the guys’ solo work. I’m unfamiliar with NCT for the most part, but the Shinee & Exo members are phenomenal.

        4
        0

      I feel skeptical about this. That is, I’m not excited about this experiment. SM seems to be reaching here. Not sure what the end goal is here. How long will this group last? What is the the message of this new group?

      I am sure the members are talented. I’m just not getting the reason for it.

      2
      1

        This aspect of kpop is so interesting to me. As a newer fan I just looked at it as how fun it could be to me, lol. I didnt think as to why they were doing it beyond that they wanted to create together. Like when Jack White decided to make an album with Loretta Lynn no one questioned the motive of the record company it was just, oh he is a fan.
        But I forget that these artist may not have that freedom to just create. I did look at comments that suggested either diverting interest from shady business dealings or it is a plan to promote NCT. I dont know if the whole US thing now changes those opinions.

        1
        1

          Same, I don’t think the artists came up with this idea. It was a management decision from the beginning. Thus, I feel this is ingenuine.

          Now, they are saying this is “avengers of Kpop”. If they will continue to add more older artists and girls into the group, I might buy it.

          Good luck to the new group. If they come up with some excellent music, then I will say ‘oops my mistake”.

          1
          4

            The Avengers tagline is just cringeworthy, lol.

            1
            0

            To be fair, even their original groups were the management’s idea. Exo, NCT, Shinee – all of them were conceptualized and cast by the company.

            I find fan reaction weird. For the younger artists, its a good chance to learn from the older ones and also gain popularity, for older artists, its a nice way to show new sides to themselves. Shinee are in the army anyway, so for Taemin this is excellent. Exo are starting to go – I think Baekhyun goes next year – and they’ve begun Super Junior-esque unit promotions already. I think of this as simply another unit. And finally, the NCT guys are all about units anyway. What’s difference between a unit with sunbaes and regular NCT units?

            It’s also hard to think that the artists chosen for this are being dragged into it against their will. This is a nice new way of promoting.

            1
            0

            @greenfields I have to stop looking at comment sections and just enjoy it. The exo fans are mad. Very mad. But some fans can be very witty. I’m kind of just like, “Yay, more Taemin” 🤷‍♀️ I love watching him dance and am a fan of his vocals too.

            2
            0

            @bcampbell1662 – hehe yup, I suppose it IS a matter of perspective. For me, I love collaborations, crossovers, and experimentation. I’m also surrounded by K-pop fans who welcomed this – “I just want to see all my favorite guys in one place dancing to some high energy sexy dance music” – said someone I know when the news broke out last week. Even the “Avengers” tag, though cringe-worthy, is very typically Kpop. It’s commonly used in survival shows and general variety to indicate a very strong team. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. <3 And while the focus on the US worries me, I'm hoping for something worthy of the super members that are part of this.

            1
            0

    That’s an interesting choice. How are Taemin, Baekhyun, and Kai at English? I know Mark and Ten are fluent and I think Lucas is maybe half fluent. Sometimes the fluent members tend to overshadow non fluent members in the US. I hope that doesn’t happen with Super M.

    1
    1

      I was just wondering about this. Also, will the break the group up into the traditional roles? Who is the leader of this group? The main dancer?

      2
      1

        That’s a good question. It would make sense to have Taemin be the leader since he’s the oldest but I don’t think he’s totally fluent in English. In some ways it would make more sense to have Mark or Ten be the leader if they’re mainly promoting in the US. Although Mark sometimes doesn’t seem very fluent in English even though he’s a native 😂

        1
        1

          Oh, anxiety maybe.
          I’ve noticed in a couple of your Got7 posts that Jackson speaks so easily even in English but Mark can be quiet.

          1
          1

            I think NCT Mark gets confused. He’s so used to speaking in Korean that he’s starting to forget his English 😄
            I used to think GOT7 Mark was quiet because he was on Korean shows and wasn’t comfortable speaking Korean but then he’s quiet in the US too 😂 He’s quiet in any language 💚
            And Jackson has been speaking English for a long time. He went to an international school even before he became a trainee so he is very fluent and comfortable with English.
            Although I think the one who speaks the most in the US is usually Bambam. He is almost like their leader when they’re in the US (he is even the MC for their concerts). He makes sure that the interviews go smoothly and everyone has a chance to talk. I’m really impressed by how quickly Bam has improved. About four or five years ago he could barely speak English but now he is very comfortable speaking English.

            1
            0