Do companies create the buzz around ‘visuals’ themselves? And what’s the point if it doesn’t stick?
The concept worked on Yoona & Suzy as it was based on public reception however sometimes it seems like it’s the company itself trying to push a member even when it seems randomly picked and it’s really early in the group’s career. I’d say since third Gen there have been some ‘visuals’ (i know formal positions are much more flexible now but still) who don’t particularly stand out or are arguably less popular and it’s left me wondering why this member and why highlight it in the first place then?
I love twice and I remember being confused with the highlighting of Mina as a visual when it seemed Tzuyu was most visually popular and Nayeon, Sana and Jihyo rotated the eye catching, ‘killing’ parts. I remember the staff and members themselves would even say “she’s so regal and poised” but Twice’s image was cutesy candy pop so why publicly attach that to her? Eventually JYPE just let her fade into the background once the ‘ranks’ were established even when Twice began doing the regal concepts you would think she would excel in and it was like ‘okay. What was the point of declaring that then’.
I’m definitely not saying these members have no fans or have a particular negative reception; it’s just odd to choose to highlight the position and be so off but then also not do a hard pivot to show another side of the member. It’s not like the companies invested in them over other members for CF/sponsorships or gave them more modelling opportunities so it just ends up seeming like failed marketing or disconnect from the gp. This has happened with multiple groups (though I find it’s more present with girl groups) where the visual position bestowed by the company is not the person most popular or recognizable. In the long run it’s sometimes the member with the more out of the norm, experimental looks or the one with unique performance talent that becomes the most recognizable which leads to the question once again of why highlight it in the first place. It just seems like setting up a person to be a ‘dozen’ bc unless they’re like Karina where they’re reallly good at another performance aspect or are already immensely popular for their beauty style like Wonyoung, the member ends up kind of being the filler. I’m not sure if this is making sense but it’s been on my mind for years.