Back Against the Wall, K-Pop Artists Have One Last Shot

With most of K-Pop's extra bubble burst, the entertainment business is on its heels.

Last year's overflowing capital has largely evaporated and many teams are making their comebacks with their backs on the wall. Simply, there is not much left to scrape from, but they have not yet broken even. Though not public information, many are giving what may be their last shot at survival in the K-Pop industry.

The burgeoning of the K-Pop market began about three years ago when K-Pop made its way across international borders. With success came more group artists due to increased funding by investors inside and outside of the music industry. But most of said capital has been depleted after two to three years of management and a couple of album productions.

It is predicted that about $2 million go into launching a major artist group. Unfortunately, small companies do not have pockets deep enough to continue investing into projects that do not bring them expected returns. Some are making up their domestic loss from other places like Japan or 'audio' artists.

 "Male groups are seeing some success overseas in Japan, at least. With female groups who have decreasing demand in the Japanese market are really at a loss at this point," a close source commented on the reality of the current situation with struggling artists.

He added, "this year will be a make-or-break year for many group artists. With many companies struggling to make ends meet, whoever can last longer will come out alive from this drought."

The consensus on the current trend of K-Pop is that it is in a plateau. Aside from the super stars, the rest of the pack is resorting to dividing up the same piece of the pie. Some are skeptical as to whether the piece of the pie will grow bigger. "I am very desperate. Seeing this may be my last straw, I am going to give it all I have got," told an artist readying for a new comeback album. 

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K-Pop
idol
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