AKMU tops charts for 474 hours: what it means and what public wants
[헤럴드경제=이윤미 기자] AKDONG MUSICIAN’s (AKMU) debut album title track “200%” kept its #1 ranking (Genie total) for whopping 474 hours.
Beside the fact that it is an accomplishment reached in the times when all entertainment-related activities like music promotions and new song releases are halted due to Sewol ferry tragedy, it is highly notable that the newbie duo discovered on K-Pop Star (audition program) kept the top rank for such an extended period of time.
It is especially meaningful as the duo competed with top artists like IU, Park Hyo Shin, APink and Lee Seon Hee within the top 10, but never yielded their top position.
Such success of AKMU provokes a lot of thoughts in the music world. For sure, the public reacts to new and musically individualistic artists more than anything. AKMU’s secret to their popularity is how much the public can relate to them. It is different to what idols do, like creating fantasies for the people.
In fact, AKMU is far from such fantasies. Their appearances are familiar, like your neighbor or your friend. The two playful siblings can ben seen in any family. They obviously caught the attention of the public who was getting sick of seeing physically beautiful idols or solo singers.
And what makes them stand out even more is their musical talents. Songs that carry SOO HYUN’s clear voice and the low-key, vivacious melodies relax the listeners. CHAN HYUK’s naturally flowing songs sets themselves apart from other songs with routine chords that do not break away from the stereotype.
AKMU is not the first one to gain fame as an audition-contestant. Busker Busker, Roy Kim and Kim Yerim are still loved by the public for their unique songs.
More recent contestants of Superstar K, like Eddy Kim, Hong Dae Kwang and Park Shi Hwan are well received by the public as well. Audition-program-born stars are setting the trend in the music world. And AKMU played a role opening up a whole new trend.
Such new trend in the music world set a future direction for artists discovered on audition programs.
2014. 5. 6.
