SE SO NEON→BOL4, Only the Vocalist Remains…The Struggles of Indie Bands

Reporter Min-Kyung Lee from TenAsia sounds the alarm on the rapidly evolving entertainment industry, highlighting unseen issues and the threats and changes surrounding the entertainment world.

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From bands like Se So Neon to Bolbbalgan4, there are increasing instances where bands start as a group but eventually continue with only the vocalist under the band's name. Despite the fame of indie bands, the public often only recognizes the vocalist. This has sparked discussions within the industry about the need for non-vocal members to deeply consider their survival in the indie scene.

Se So Neon, originally a trio that gained widespread popularity, is transitioning to a one-person band. Only Hwang So-yoon, who served as the frontman, remains. On the 25th, Se So Neon announced, "Park Hyun-jin has decided to pursue a path as an independent bass player," adding that "he will support Hwang So-yoon's activities from outside the team."

This isn't the first time an indie band has restructured into a one-person band.

Bolbbalgan4, now a solo act, initially appeared as a trio on the audition show 'Superstar K6'. Before their debut in 2016, member Kwon Ji-won left, and in 2020, Woo Ji-yoon, who played bass and guitar and provided backup vocals, also departed. Upon leaving, Woo stated, "After much deliberation, I decided to leave the team," adding, "I had many concerns about whether I was doing well and felt the need for a new challenge before it was too late."

The officially stated reasons for departures vary, including academic and career considerations. However, industry insiders point out that "the structure where the band vocalist monopolizes all public attention negatively impacts the band's smooth operation," ultimately leaving only the vocalist to survive.

Most notably, when the general public thinks of the band Jaurim, they only remember vocalist Kim Yoon-ah. Comparing Instagram followers, Kim Yoon-ah has about 139,000, while Jaurim's official band account has around 44,000. The other two members have followers numbering less than 10,000 each. Some bands, like Nasan Hyun's Band and Yudabin Band, even name the band after the vocalist.

Non-vocal members often find themselves sidelined from public view. Within the industry, it's common for other members to feel stressed and dissatisfied due to the popularity focused on the vocalist after the band becomes famous.

The popularity of band vocalists can even surpass that of the band leader. The Volunteers, known for singer Baek Yerin's presence, is a prime example, although Baek Yerin is not the leader. The leader is guitarist Kwak Min-hyuk, who goes by the name Jonny. The same goes for the recently popular band Touched, led by Kim Seung-bin with vocalist Yoon Min.

Unlike indie bands, idol bands like Day6 receive balanced attention for all members. Idol bands operate as bands but resemble K-pop idols in their debut preparation and marketing. They build a fanbase through small performances and then find an agency for a formal debut, differing from indie bands that start with trainee life and have separate marketing strategies for each member, making idol band members more likely to gain public attention.

Many believe that non-vocal members leaving a band for personal growth and challenges cannot be discouraged. However, this trend could negatively impact the entire indie band scene. There is a growing call for indie band members to fiercely contemplate how to gain public affection, similar to idol bands.

Reporter Min-Kyung Lee, 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr