Bon voyage.

[rogueslayer452]

++ The announcement that three of the seven members of Dreamcatcher will not be renewing their contracts with the company has left me with conflicted feelings of devastation. While it's technically not a disbandment because they will still be continuing with the activities with the group, as stated in the message, there is still a level of uncertainty about their future as a group overall.

I've been listening to kpop for a long time, since the early 00s. I know that it's a very competitive and unfair industry and many groups, mainly girl groups, are often expendable (among other issues, but that another can of worms). I've mourned the disbandment and members leaving for various reasons before so this isn't anything new. Shocking and disappointing, yes, but not unexpected or surprising given the nature of that industry. With that being said, something about this news got me rather emotional because Dreamcatcher is an underdog girl group since their rebranding seven years ago. I listen to and like a lot of artists and groups and there are only a handful of ones that I get really attached to, and Dreamcatcher was one of those "one of a kind" groups that really spoke to me. Although I know this decision wasn't easy and it took a lot of time to come to this conclusion on what's best for them going forward, the announcement in itself to the fans does feel rather sudden especially with their contracts being up this month.

On the more optimistic side of things, this could be a good thing for the members. Other groups have done this, pursuing other projects while also still being active with their group, and as far as I can tell Dreamcatcher hasn't had time to breathe or given an other creative work outside of the group itself so this could help expand their reach with whatever they choose to do. The issue mostly lies with the clashing of them joining other companies and how that will affect whatever future group activities will be done. This is especially true with Handong, the sole Chinese member of the group, because obviously she misses her family and wants to return home but China does have weird rules now regarding kpop and contracts, so that is another uncertain area.

Overall, obviously this could've been way worse and I'm thankful and relieved that it wasn't, but I'd be lying if I said my heart didn't dropped when I read the announcement. I went through the stages of grief, and have now entered a state of begrudged acceptance.

At the end of the day, this is their decision for what is best for them and I respect it. And knowing that there are still kpop groups who are technically still active but haven't released anything together in a while (ex: Mamamoo) and some that were disbanded but have reunited after many years (ex: 2NE1, Baby V.O.X), anything can be possible. Dreamcatcher has defied the odds before, so I'm holding onto the hope that this will be beneficial for the group in the future.

++ On a more upbeat note, we have another trailer for The Last Of Us season two. I'm so excited! I legit got chills watching it. This is, by far, my highly anticipated show of this year. Love the games, loved the first season and I cannot wait to see how they do the (first half) of the second game for season two. I also discovered Pedro and Bella's reaction to the trailer at the SXSW panel, and the emotional reaction from Pedro at the end was so touching.

++ Additionally, every time I read that a show has split something into two seasons I keep on thinking that it's of the 13-22 episode seasons rather than the current 6-8 episode seasons, which throws me off. It's also annoying, because it's like well why not just have it all be in one season? IDK.

Comments

[dasmims]

I'm also very excite for the second season of The Last of Us. I haven't played the games so I have no idea what's going to happen but I'm already afraid.

I don't really get the 6-8 episodes thing. It started with shows going from 22 to 20 to ~16 to ~12 episodes and now we are on the way to 6 becoming the standard. And despite the shows getting shorter they take longer to make. If it has something to do with less stressful work schedules for the production and post-production teams that would be great, but I have a feeling that that's not the case.

[rogueslayer452]

I don't get it either, to be honest. Clearly this started with streaming and has since become the standard as it continued to lessen episodes in a season, for what reason I don't know. Could be for less stressful schedules, but like you I don't think that's the case at all. Whatever the reason may be, it's obvious that it's hurting television because there's zero chance of character development or just developing the story and arcs over time, allowing the audience to really sit and enjoy everything unfold gradually, to get attached to characters and relationships and dynamics, which is a huge part of any kind of enjoyment.

It's just sad, and I don't know how this can be fixed or reversed. Something from the inside needs to change, but the people in charge don't want to change. We're just sort of....stuck with this for now, unfortunately.

[adore]

I hope Dreamcatcher continue to release songs as a group, even if promotions get fewer because of schedules clashing... I love their sound and want to keep hearing it.

[rogueslayer452]

Yeah, same here. I remember when I got into them, "Scream" and "Odd Eye" being my first introduction songs, and loving their sound and how they weren't very typical of a kpop group with their whole concept. I liked the darker and edgier vibe they had going on, which was different but it also meant they were constantly the underdog within the industry. I think they know they have something there, including their own solo songs on their mini-albums they each have a distinctive voice and style.

I don't know what the future is going to bring for them, individually or as a group, but I definitely want more of their music because they created something amazing together. It worked in their favor, despite the odds against them.

[night_owl_9]

I'm excited for the second season as well! I can't wait to see how they adapt certain parts of the story.

[rhoda_rants]

The way K-Pop groups work is fascinating to me, in this, "Wow, I can't believe they're allowed to do this to people," way. I'm sorry you're going through it with your fandom. That kind of thing is hard to understand from the outside, but I've been there in a different capacity, and I know how much it sucks.

Additionally, every time I read that a show has split something into two seasons I keep on thinking that it's of the 13-22 episode seasons rather than the current 6-8 episode seasons, which throws me off. It's also annoying, because it's like well why not just have it all be in one season? IDK.

Seriously. I want my season-long arcs to last a whole 13 to 22 episode season again, dammit! It must have something to do with streaming numbers and ad revenue. It's always that these days. I still hate it though.

[rogueslayer452]

Yeah. I love listening to artists and groups, but the kpop industry has a shitload of problems that unpacking all that would take forever. And in a way it does kinda make you feel guilty for enjoying the music because it also feels like you're supporting the harmful way they treat these artists, when obviously you don't. But every industry is unfortunately like that, the entertainment industry in particular regardless where it is exploits those who work for them and treat them unfairly.

It's definitely due to streaming that has lessened the seasons more and more (and ironically the wait between seasons get longer and longer, too), and I honestly truly hate it so much.

[rhoda_rants]

But every industry is unfortunately like that, the entertainment industry in particular regardless where it is exploits those who work for them and treat them unfairly.

Oh, it totally is. It's why we keep having these strikes. It's what Chappell Roan was ranting about at the Grammys this year. It's why Taylor Swift re-recorded all her albums so she could retain the rights to her own songs. It's why Hanson broke their contract and started their own label. I have one friend who doesn't even watch movies because of how corrupt the industry is. I couldn't go that far, because I love the art too much to deprive myself of it, but yeah, it's hard to know where to draw that line sometimes.