Today’s theme: Audition programs

Every Friday night at 11pm, thousands of Koreans gather round their televisions, smartphones, and laptops to see the latest episode of Produce 101. Here, they watch a group of 101 hopeful pop contestants battle it out in an attempt to reach the final group of 11 and earn themselves a place in the newly constructed idol group.

The show has earned a bevy of fans. However, it’s not without its criticisms as contracts have revealed bad working conditions, a focus on lookism among the public, and editing being used to manipulate general opinion.

Despite the prevalence of smartphone voting and technology in the latest series of Produce 101, there is a long-standing history of performances on Korean television.

It seems that singing for popularity and votes is a big part of Korean society and is likely to stay for a long time yet. It will be interesting, however, to see just what form these shows take.

>>> The Conversationalist with JiHee Yoo

-producer at CJ E&M

-produced many reality programs, including ‘Project Runway Korea’

How real are audition programs?

Scripted and manipulative or as real as we can make modern tv?

&

Andy Dehnart

-writer & TV critic based in Florida

-a visiting assistant professor of Journalism at Stetson University

What are the merits of open, public auditions like ones from broadcasted talents shows that traditional behind-the-curtain type of auditions do not have?

What are the distinguishing elements of candidates that help them win in talents shows, of course, aside from having a talent?

>>> A Few Minutes with Amos

I was talking to my friend about this and moved onto the subject of another friend who collects LPs of contemporary music (not rare). He even had to buy a record player to play them. Why would you do this?

The sound quality is worse. At first CD compression made LPs worthwhile but now with recent technology, we have infinitely more fidelity in music formats.

I like books but I never say “Can you make the words blurry? And randomly take out letters?” If you really love music you should have it in a format where it can be appreciated in the quickest and efficient manner.

>>> Next week: Big data