| The judges for K-pop Star Season 4: From left, Park Jin-young of JYP Entertainment, Yang Hyun-suk of YG Entertainment and You Hee-yeol of Antenna Music. / Korea Times file |
Yang Hyun-suk was dead on when he said that the fourth season of broadcaster SBS's "K-pop Star," which began airing last November, is a far cry from "Superstar K," Mnet's trademark audition program.
At a press event prior to the show's premiere, the music mogul said that while Superstar K does a good job of singling out "good singers," the judges on K-pop Star are noted producers who can help these singers kindle and carry through successful careers.
Indeed, Yang, Park Jin-young and You Hee-yeol are all musicians-turned-producers who are at the helm of major entertainment agencies. Winning at K-pop Star means management guaranteed at one of the following agencies ― YG, JYP or Antenna Music.
Since Superstar K kick-started the country's talent show craze in 2009, broadcasters have kept busy introducing their own versions, each boasting a slightly different format. Superstar K and MBC's "Birth of a Great Star" gave away cash prizes, a portion of which was meant to used on record producing, but neither offered what K-pop Star does _ along with a cash prize, the winner debuts with the company of his or her choice.
| Members of Akdong Musician perform during the final round of K-pop Star Season 2. / Korea Times file |
And it helps that K-pop Star's three judges have discovered some of the country's most successful idols, including YG's Big Bang, JYP's Wonder Girls and YG's 2NE1.
When K-pop Star first premiered in 2011, BoA of SM Entertainment, home to idols Girls' Generation, SHINee and f(x), was also a judge. Though Antenna Music replaced SM for the third and fourth seasons, You had no trouble fitting in with sharp and sincere commentary.
Because the program guarantees such benefits, the country's most talented youth flock to K-pop Star auditions with dreams of emerging as the next big idol. In season four, 24-year-old Lee Jin-ah has been turning heads, as has fellow contestant Park Yoon-ha.
Viewers have seen colossal growth in capacity and flair in contestants as the seasons pile. In fact, some viewers clobbered the judges for commentary that they reasoned was too encomiastic.
Another difference is that Yang, Park and You seek rough diamonds that, with the help of the respective agencies, can grow into accomplished musicians to shoulder the newest K-pop wrinkle. Consequently, talented vocalists who pop their veins to get out forceful sounds often fall short of the cutline, while those who are at times deemed in need of a good polish survive ― these are the aspirants who have succeeded in moving the judges, those who bring something new to the market.
Good examples are season two winner Akdong Musician, season two runner-up Bang Ye-dam and season three winner Bernard Park.
Consistency in the three judges' evaluations, as well as their wit and humor, adds to the fun.
Yang, Park and You, each partial to completely different music styles, know how to intrigue audiences by providing scintillating commentary that keeps viewers engaged. But when the need arises, the judges don't avoid deliberations. To another contestant Hong Chan-mi, Park and Yang said that her performance lacked a narrative arc, to which You retorted snappily, "A good musician is not necessarily skilled at projecting his or her voice."
After a heated debate between Yang and You, Hong made it to the second round as You's wild card.
Now, the production crew must focus on molding a true idol, one who can keep the public captivated post season.
It's true that Superstar K hasn't given birth to a true star since Seo In-guk, the first season's winner, but not much more can be said about K-pop Star.
This remains an assignment, but K-pop Star is without a doubt the last show standing.
Follow Kwon Ji-youn on Twitter @jennajykwon