Debuting via TV competitions, indie scene

MBC TV holds "2012 College Musicians Festival," an annual competition for amateur collegiate musicians. On July 2, the broadcaster announced
its decision to abolish the festival, citing its dwindling viewer ratings.
/ Korea Times file

MBC TV decides to stop airing ‘College Musicians Festival'

Seo In-guk

BoA

Roy Kim

Huh Gak

By Baek Byung-yeul, Nam Hyun-woo, Park Ji-won

On July 2, MBC TV announced that it will no longer air "College Musicians Festival," a competition for amateur collegiate musicians, due to low viewer ratings and high production costs.

The festival has been running for 36 years. It has produced a slew of successful bands including Sand Pebbles, the winner of the first competition in 1977, Infinite Track in the 1980s and Exhibition in the 1990s.

The cancellation of the festival, which was widely known as the "cradle of Korean musicians," was not unexpected. Since the 2000s, it has been losing its role of discovering musicians because the Internet has enabled people to discover new acts on their own. Little-known artists such as rap singer Cho PD became successful after uploading his songs online in 1999.

Today, the most popular way to become a star is to audition for TV singing competitions. TV stations in Korea have each launched their own versions of "American Idol."

"Superstar K," broadcast by cable channel Mnet, pioneered TV singing competitions in the country. Since its beginning in 2009, the show has helped artists such as Seo In-guk, Huh Gak, Ulala Session and Roy Kim rise to stardom. The popularity of the show prompted other TV stations to launch their own talent programs.

Unlike College Musicians Festival, which is a one-day event, current talent programs last for an entire season, allowing contestants to connect to audiences through their personal stories and charm.

However, music critics say that having too many similar TV singing contests might wipe out the country's talent pool. But this doesn't seem to faze amateur singers who want to be the next Huh Gak or Roy Kim.

"I had once taken part in the show because my parents urged me. But I will apply for the show on my own this year," said Kang Cha-ram, an 18-year-old contestant in the latest season of Superstar K.

Another route to stardom is to audition at an entertainment agency, which trains selected applicants until they debut. BoA, SHINee, Super Junior and Girl's Generation became famous with the help of SM Entertainment, the country's largest entertainment academy.

Such agencies usually hold open auditions nationwide. Other agencies accept auditions only through private contacts.

As the number of applicants continues to increase, some agencies have set up websites for pop star wannabes, such as YG Audition (www.yg-audition.com). Castnet (www.castnet.co.kr), is a popular casting information website that provides real-time audition schedules for aspiring actors and singers who have registered on the website.

Critics say applicants should be cautious when auditioning at such agencies.

"Some agencies charge high prices for tutoring and training, while the chances of becoming a successful musician are dim. Be careful when choosing which agency to apply to, in order to avoid being cheated," said a music critic who declined to be named.

The traditional way of becoming a successful musician ― joining the indie music scene ― is still popular.

Jung Myung-jin, 27, is a musician who took the traditional route. He is the vocalist and lead guitarist of the rock band, Alphards. Prior to forming the Alphards, he has performed extensively in an amateur cover band. Last month, for the first time, the Alphards performed at a club in Hongdae with an entire set of original songs.

Jung decided to pursue a music career in 2011, and since then, has been writing songs and recording demos.

"There are many great computer recording programs available these days. Even without professional engineering or recording knowledge, one can easily make rough demo songs using these programs," Jung said.

He explained that unlike pop artists, who usually train at agencies before they debut, indie rock musicians usually perform at small clubs before they sign contracts with agencies.

"Pop stars are like youth team players at a renowned football club. The agency trains them from a young age. On the other hand, indie musicians are like transferred football players, whose skills are acknowledged by the club," he said.

He spent a year recruiting session members for the Alphards through acquaintances and online music forums. The members of the band spent another year refining their look and music style.

"After organizing the band, we started to audition at clubs in the Hongdae scene. Bands that pass the auditions perform at the clubs on a regular basis," he said.

Indie musicians usually need to build their experience and audience through performing in the Hongdae scene before getting signed with an agency.

"Performing as contract musicians is not a typical story for rookie bands. Popularity comes before the contract," Jung said.

He said at least five to seven original songs are required for a 30-minute club gig. It takes an average of six months to complete these songs.

Meanwhile, indie music contests, which are sponsored by large companies, usually require only one song, and thus, are one of the fastest ways for indie musicians to gain publicity.

"Most clubs have a small audience. But music contests usually have large audiences since they feature successful musicians or stars at the end of the show."

The Alphards are working on their first EP, scheduled for release this year.

A hip-hop musician, who requested to be identified only by her surname, Kim, said that a more critical part of an indie musician's debut is finding a music distributor.

"Unlike Jung, I think finding a distributor is more important. A musician can record a commercial record only after he or she signs a contract with a distributor," she said.

"Though finding a distributor is not easy, once you do, your song can be released easily. After your song is registered on music streaming websites, you can proudly say ‘I'm a professional musician.'"