WBW: SM vs. DSP

I frequently mention the great idol wars of the 1990’s when the first generation of idol stars were part of fan fueled rivalries pitting groups against each other. While there were many different players, at the center of the frenzy stood the two most important companies of that era: SM Entertainment and DSP Media. These two companies have had an interesting relationship over the years as SM has always been viewed almost as a big brother to DSP’s little brother in the way they have developed and debuted groups. However, there is no doubt that each has helped shaped the landscape of K-pop. On today’s Way Back Wednesday, we’ll look at how the rivalry between the two companies began and how it’s still continuing to this day with their contributions to the world of K-pop both past and present.

H.O.T. vs. Sechskies – Rise of the Boy Bands

H.O.T and Sechskies defined the SM/DSP rivalry of the late 1990’s. Lee Soo Man of SM Entertainment changed K-pop forever with how he created and marketed the first boy group in H.O.T. The strategy of DSP Media (Daesung Enterprise at the time) CEO Lee Ho Young was to respond by creating what was initially viewed as a copycat group but Sechskies had their own distinct style and personality. Rival fans have always been a part of Korean music but it was the rise of the boy bands that led to a new generation of fandom with specific colored balloons (white vs. yellow) and synchronized chants (I had a friend who used have them ALL memorized). Much of this activity is still part of the fan experience today. I think the rivalry existed more in the minds of fans than between the actual groups but the popularity of the two groups probably opened the eyes for the entire music industry about how powerful the (then) new generation of music fan could be. From H.O.T and Sechskies came the basic outline of how to market an idol group: showcasing individual personalities but always as part of the larger group. It’s still exactly how most companies operate today.

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Posted by: Club H.O.T PR :D