Ideas We Believe

Korean pop has been a vital engine to the peninsula's soft power projection. The concept of creating an idol, rather than just marketing them, has been well formulated and is now ready to reach the world. In fact, of late, k-pop has been inducting foreigners into the groups to capture emerging markets in Japan, China and other Asian states. One of the few groups which boast today of an enormous global influence is BTS, a boy band from Bangtan, which calls its fans ( Stan's, to be specific ) an army.  The whole formulae have become quite a household knowledge in South Korea, where the big three, namely YG, SM and JYP, vouch for making idols out of talents. The trick is gruelling training which can last up to five years (or more), where talent is groomed into performance. This method has worked exceptionally well, churning out bands one after other who sway the audience to their tune. In fact, these companies are known to plan out the entirety of the band's activity, from the...

As tough times await us, it's frivolous to talk about theatres. But doesn't it look like theatres would go out of fashion before the pandemic ends( But would it ?? ) With the footfall on OTT platforms rising daily. Looking at a screen stuck to the chair, with no ability to pause or even play subtitles, sounds so technologically inferior. The blockbuster release has increasingly been  generously funded , mega-multi-starrer films, which keep running sequels until they go unprofitable . In fact, content is sometimes the second priority; the fan base and the festive season come first. Over the years, movie houses have mastered this art. Roping in top actors into characters that have gone synonymous with their name. The OTT platforms, however, are earmarked for the content. Their promise to give a shot to the aspiring director who doesn't have funds to compete against the mult-million movie releases. Thus i n its cast and crew shines the raw, untamed art which any critic would b...