MEAWW.COM / ENTERTAINMENT / K-POP NEWS

'K-909': Will the concept of K-pop title tracks end? JTBC's music show to promote b-sides

In K-pop, artists select one track from their album and promote it as their title track on music shows and variety shows to the general public

One of the reasons why fandoms of K-pop artists are more active than Western singers is the way the promotions are handled. Instead of dropping the album and few music videos, K-pop idols select one song from their album as their 'title track' and focus all promotions on it for some weeks to almost 2 months. Running with that title track, they appear on talk shows, variety shows, reality shows and music shows that allow the general public to get invested in that comeback. With K-pop becoming popular on TV programs rather than through radio play, music shows have become important.

And with the concept of music shows getting global as evident from even Western acts Conan Gray and New Hope Club performing, JTBC has become the next broadcaster to launch their own K-pop music show. JTBC which has several music programs for different genres like ‘Sea of Hope’, ‘Hot Singers’ and Knowing Bros’, has announced their first K-pop music show 'K-909'. It is described as a global music show unlike other existing music shows where K-pop acts will not just promote their title tracks, but the other tracks from their albums which are known as ‘b-sides’. 

READ MORE
TWICE Nayeon finally gets first music show win, K-pop fans say 'will always be POPular'

What is K-pop's ending fairy? DIA fans flex Chaeyeon for starting the trend

JTBC introduces ‘K-909’ music show

The usual K-pop music shows like ‘M Countdown’ and ‘Inkigayo’ have a mini-interview and a slot of 3 to 4 minutes for the title track performance. With tons of K-pop acts making a comeback every week, to stand out, music shows award trophies to the best title track of the week. It allows good-natured competition, as well as promotes the songs as fans scramble to vote for their favorites. But this has fostered a short attention span and led to the b-sides of albums being forgotten among those who are not die-hard fans of the K-pop acts. JTBC hopes to change that with ‘K-909’.

According to JTBC, K-pop acts will be performing b-side tracks of albums that have never been performed before. Additionally, they will also be introducing remix versions of their past hit songs. With collaborations among K-pop acts being quite rare, that is also set to change as ‘K-909’ also has a segment for special collaboration stages. Sharing that the 3-minute airtime for individual acts on the usual K-pop music shows a "pity", JTBC will also be airing behind-the-scenes footage of the artists preparing for the ‘K-909’ stages with a mini-documentary segment.

With K-pop artists putting out several title track-worthy b-sides that are not selected because they might not cater to the taste of the general public, ‘K-909’ will provide a platform for those b-sides. JTBC is also set to broaden interests as they are set to promote the K-R&B community, have crossovers, traditional music bands, folk music and more along with K-pop stages. With the trailer of ‘K-909’ also teasing J-hope’s Lollapalooza stage, BTS fans are wondering if the idol will also be re-performing his set on the new music show.  JTBC will start airing ‘K-909’ from September 2022 onwards.

‘A needed change’

One fan hoped, “This should be a stage for those underrated kpop gps.” Another joked, “Who said the reward for second world is just being the first ppl on k909.” One fan wished, “the concept is good but please make it global okayyyy.” Another tweeted, “Wow. the concept is so good.” One fan tweeted, “It hasn't even aired yet but I'm already interested. Jtbc and their great music shows.” Another asked, “Is this a hoppipolla appearance?” One wrote, “Oh wow! This sounds quite unique. Love that the B-side tracks are getting attention! This is a needed change.” Another was excited, “So many songs I'd love to hear remixed into other genres and sometimes b-sides are better than title tracks so they deserve the opportunity to be performed.”