r/prelude_thefinalpiece

Okay, so I saw another thread about Ayana potentially going jyp and it got me thinking, do yall think DA and WS girls are under contract with HYBE and Geffen? One where maybe they can’t accept offers from other labels, basically keeping them on the roster for future ideas or letting them go solo. Thoughts?

This is a genuine question. Why did this entire show have to happen? Does HxG have an obsession with 4-girl groups? Also, correct me if I'm wrong but some of the most iconic western girl groups have been 3. Destiny's Child, TLC, Little Mix (after one of them left) and notice how most of these are ALSO rnb themed!? If they were going for the whole RnB, western-centred group 3 makes sense. Even for choreography, I assume 3 is easier than 4. Plus the girls already know each other and it's not awkward adding another girl into situation where everyone is already assumedly really close. And there would a bigger difference between them and KATSEYE. Also does anyone else actually like Party b4 the Party? I find myself singing it at random times lol

Guys,

I've been with you in this sub since almost the beginning, in one of the months I was so engaged that I became top 10% commenter and I'm in the K-Pop world for just a year now.

This was my first survival and I am very frustrated for the time I invested and the way they did the things. Pop Star Academy I will not take in consideration because I didn't follow the DA during the survival, I watched the show in Netflix last year.

So anyway, this was actually my first survival.

How can I recover to engage in another one?

You that are experienced in this thing, it is always like this?

Have you ever seen before such extensive frustration this big?

Everyone is saying little things that highlights how this time they did differently, anyway... Is it worth to engage in the next wave?

i'm not a mod of the other subreddit but thought it might be a good idea to let people know about r/AyanaKuwahara! if people are interested in following her journey, maybe we can post socials updates/news :)

I'm a quiet lurker on the page and in K Pop in general but I wanted to make this post because I'm really saddened by all the massive criticism I've been reading and hearing about Sakura.

I happen to work in the music industry. I'm a professional singer as well as a music teacher. I just finished hosting an end-of-the-year student recital with performers between the ages of 5 and 19. I promise this story is relevant to my point.

The recital went well, but one of my young teenage students missed her cue while singing her song and became completely off time with the accompaniment track. I helped her by briefly singing her cue so she could find her place in the song. During intermission, I went to find this specific student and overheard another parent say, "I wish I had the courage to go up and do that. You were so brave!"

This is what I wish more people were saying to Sakura. I understand she was not everyone's choice. I can understand voicing concern, especially directed at HYBE x Geffen. Even so, I would never turn to any of my young students and say, "Sorry you can't perform because you need more training." I would never sit there and RANK the students in my studio.

I realize I'm talking about two different situations and stakes but my point is this. Sakura is a young girl pursuing her dream and she was fortunate enough to have it work out.

Does that mean Ayana didn't deserve to win? Absolutely not. But I speak from a lifetime of experience when I say that music is a cutthroat business. I've failed PLENTY of auditions. I've had students fail auditions. I've also disagreed with the choices of others plenty of times. One piece of advice that I got as a young performer was, "You could be the shiniest, juiciest and reddest Apple and they could be looking for an Orange."

This is how I learned to separate my own frustrations with musical decisions I didn't agree with. And you have to develop that tough skin to make it in this business. Not every opportunity will pan out, but you truly only fail when you give up.

I feel for Ayana. She is still a very talented girl. She will be okay! She may even BENEFIT from being the runner-up. We don't even know what her future holds and I am personally excited to see what she does next.

Something else I want to add... most performers and musicians are their own worst critics. Sakura dared to pursue a goal and not give up despite the tons of comparisons, criticism, and discouragement. For whatever reason, HYBE decided to go with her, and it worked out in her favor. Instead of "congratulations," she's hearing all the reasons why she doesn't deserve it, how it was the wrong decision, and how no one wanted her to win. I am personally rooting for her AND Ayana as well as all the other contestants. I genuinely hope they all continue to perform and pursue their dreams. It's really okay to support everyone :)

As for Saint Satine? In my opinion, it's too early to form any opinions on their potential success. So I'll just send them my positive vibes and well wishes! 😊 ☀️

So I’m finally watching the actual show thanks to a fan sub account and I just finished episode 4 when they are down to 4 contestants.

Star quality just means young and pretty. Literally every person that they comment that has Star quality is on the younger end and already looks similar or just like an idol. Sakura, Hiori and Aoi. I think there might have been someone else with Star quality but I forget who it is and it wasn’t their main draw.

Let’s go through the similarities that these girls have, they’re all on the younger end of the group demographic. They’re all slimmer with more if an idol look. Honestly Hiori reminds me a bit of Ryujin from itzy. Talent wise all three are on the weaker side though I think Hiori is stronger and passable though kind of forgettable. I like Aoi’s gumption though she was never trained as a dancer or singer she really just decided to do it.

Pretty privilege is a thing and it’s particular strong in East Asia. Many of the contestants didn’t fit the idol aesthetic because they were older, their face shape didn’t work or they were simply a thicker body type. I think with their faces already broadcasted and an international group there might be hesitancy to go the plastic surgery route which is so common in kpop groups so having the winner already be beautiful was important to the judges (though to an international crowd almost all the girls are seen as attractive). Someone like Jayla who was one of my picks along with Honoka K and Rira just didn’t look the part although in all honesty she was so immensely talented.

So while I do think charisma is a thing, I don’t think ‘star power’ is the same thing. It’s basically pretty privilege + youth.