A guide to become the trusted leaders of groups under Big 4 Kpop Entertainment companies: YG vouches for talent while HYBE relies on members’ voting
Each agency has their different ways to pick out the leaders for their groups.
JYP selects trainee with the longest terms
At JYPE, the leaders are chosen based on their years of training at the company, which applies to most of the groups under JYP such as GOT7, TWICE and Stray Kids. From the company’s perspective, long-term training cultivates sufficient abilities and courage to face hardship.
At the fourth generation of JYP idols, changes are made so that leaders are selected based on suitability rather than long-term stay. In ITZY, Chaeryeong is the most long-term trainee but Yeji was, in fact, the leader.
SM entrusts the eldest with responsibility
SM stans discover that SM has a tendency to choose the oldest members to lead the group. The startling coincidence occurred in earlier groups such as Super Junior, SHINee, SNSD, Red Velvet to aespa.
The oldest members have a higher success of keeping their group in line as Korea has a strict age hierarchy where the seniors are always respected by the juniors. Notably, leaders are granted the privilege to discuss the concepts for the group’s comebacks and have their separate rooms on overseas schedules.
Daring and talent characterize YG leaders
YG has a strategy of choosing talented and capable leaders for their group. Some YG group leaders can take up the central producing role and participate in every stage of production. They are also capable of singing, dancing and rapping.
HYBE holds member assessment for leadership
HYBE gains popularity of their group leaders for no common points between them nor a fixed strategy in choosing one.
Bang Shi Hyuk reveals that the members that are certain to debut will assess each other to choose a suitable leader after moving in a common dorm.
Beomgyu (TXT) shared in a fansign about the trial stage of being a leader. Each member would have a chance at the role and give out scores to pick out the most excellent leader. The company also believes it will be extremely burdening for the oldest member to be the leader of the group.
Source: Yan News