Does "Sexy" Really Sell For Girl Groups?

The 2014 K-Pop scene is manifested with the "sexy" concept. Many girl groups decided to take up the "sexy" concept and have taken an overly sexy performance to the stage. Even groups with cutesy, girlish images like Girl's Day and AOA are turning to the feminine "sexy" concept. This has, in turn, put those groups at the top of the charts, and that's where the debate stems from. Should all girl groups adopt the "sexy" concept to become popular? Is it a necessary step to popularity? Would it hurt the image of the individuals within the group to the point that they are hindered in their future careers? With the three main broadcasting companies (MBC, KBS, SBS) being summoned by the Korean Broadcasting Board over the issue, it is time to seriously consider - how far is too far, and does limiting their sex appeal hurt the girl groups or protect them?

What do the girl groups really gain through earning popularity this way? Although they might glitter for a moment, is it financially worth it, considering their long-term career?

It is the consensus of many reporters and music industry professionals that "sex" sells. It's advertising 101. Consider the idol group AOA, who couldn't get in the top 10 charts previous to adopting the sexy concept. Revealing some skin propelled them to the top spot. Even Stellar, a girl group that's been largely unpopular, became the hot issue when they began to reveal their behinds during a performance.

Looking at Girl's Day gives further credence to this notion. They were a team that's been a step lower than Girls' Generation, 2NE1, and Wonder Girls, but they are now enjoying a popularity that matches the top girl groups of the nation. Their pure, cutesy concept just didn't work - but their sexy concept made them superstars.

Of course, it's not to say that "sexy" always sells. Girl group RANIA came out with a full-body see-through look and it backfired on them. If the song is fundamentally bad, than no matter what the concept, the fans will not accept it. Gain is the same case - she's so scantily clad on the music stages that it's hard to see her stage without getting embarrassed for her. Her popularity has dwindled since the last album as well, despite her concept. Of course, some have revealed that "Bloom" set a high standard for Gain to try to match again.

The important thing, then, is not the sexy concept itself but knowing when and how to apply it effectively. If a girl who is already sexy tries to overdo sexy, it just becomes intimidating. If she, however, is womanly and pure and becomes slightly sexy, it adds exponential sex appeal. Instead of assuming that wearing a sexy dress and dancing in a sexually suggestive way is going to automatically summon popularity, girl groups should discover themselves so that they can adopt different concepts to their advantage.

Sunmi excels that this more than any other girl groups performing today. She is coming back with a sexy concept, but she has also prepared a more modest performance so that she can switch from one to another. The two different performances should prove to be very interesting for the fans to watch and should add to her appeal.

On a recent poll done on this subject, most people voted that sex does indeed sell (51.8%), but it was a close vote. The other side that voted to the other opinion (48.2%) added that it may help with marketing, but the overuse of the sexy concept can also damage their public images as well. The majority (69.3%) agreed that censoring the groups is a good measure. The majority (60%) also voted that they would like a better music than a better performance. The majority(75.7%) also agreed that the recent success of the "sexy" concept ensures that more groups with the same concept will follow. This research was done by Tillian, and some 55,000 people voted on the issue.

Tags
AOA
Girls Day
Girls Generation
Wonder Girls
RaNia
Gain
Bloom
Sunmi
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