Geisha VS K-Pop Idol

 

I am very much into Geisha and K-Pop culture and I noticed that there are a lot of similarities on how a Geisha and a K-Pop trainee are CREATED. So, here are the points that I found and tell me if there are still anything else to be add up.

 

		Geisha			K-Pop Trainee
Gender		Before Geisha were men. But later on, only women are accepted.			Females and Males
Age of training		As early as age 5.			Early as 10 years old.
Formal Training		-learning to play musical instruments			-singing primarily
		-dancing			-learning to play musical instruments OPTIONAL
		-tea ceremony			-dancing
		-art of conversation			-acting and hosting
					-additional language
What Okiya/Agency pays for		-training lessons			-training lessons
		-living expenses (food, shelter) and wardrobe and other trade pieces.			-living expenses (food, shelter), wardrobe and other trade necessities.
		-wardrobe (Geisha don't dress themselves).			-appearance enhancement procedures if needed.
					-managers, stylist, make-artists,
					-produces albums or get a music contract for the trainee.
Length of apprenticeship/training ☺		-about 10 years			-1 year up to 10 years.
Age of debut		-15 years old			-as early as 13 years old as a soloist or a group member.
Initiation to the industry		-mizuage-sale of virginity			-high school showcase
Job description after training/apprenticeship		-entertain male clients through dance etc at teahouses and during banquets.			-entertain fans w/ TV and public musical performances. Make musical albums for public consumption.
		-Service is one-on-one.			-appear on movies and TV and CF's.
					-acting and hosting
Perks on the job☻		-clothes, jewelry vacations, social power and connections and income; pay varies			-income from album sales, TV and movie appearances and product sponsorship, free items from commercial sponsorship, trips domestic and international.
Being stuck to the Okiya/Agency. ☺		-an Okiya taking in a young girl to groom as a geisha is an investment. The Okiya mother pays for the living expenses and training lessons of the Apprentice.			-The Agency scouts the talent and takes him in as a trainee. A trainee is an investment for them. The Agency pays for the living expenses and training lessons of the Trainee.
		-The Mother keeps accounting notebook which lists the Apprentice's dues like food, training, etc for the whole duration of her stay in the okiya.			-The Agency has an accounting arm w/c looks over the expenses spent on the trainee and their earnings.
		-Once the Geisha debuts as an apprentice, most part of her earnings will go as payment for expenses the Okiya invested on her.			-Once the Trainee debuts as a Rookie, most of his earnings most part of his earnings will go as payment for expenses the Agency invested on him.
How to get out of the Okiya or contracts ☻		-Until those are paid, the Geisha will continuously live in the Okiya, adding up again dues and she needs to pay them by selling her skills to clients. Since the debts only add up, the Geisha will never be able to get out of the Okiya's claws for the rest of her life. She basically works for the Okiya.			-Until those paid from his earnings, the Rookie will continuously work for the agency, only leaving him a small income. Everything will be based on the Contract he signed w/ the Agency. He can still live in the dorms provided by the Agency but more likely, the rent will be shouldered by himself or other co-trainees. If
					-If Rookie continues to earns little due to low albums sale and few TV and movie appearances, he might retire for another profession. With that, it will just be an investment loss for the company.
After-career jobs		Teahouse mistress, courtesans and okiya owner			Most become full-time actors and TV presenters

K.Will's "Please Don't" MV Review

    Finally, I got to watch K.Will's "Please Don't" MV. I first learned

about it on "2012 Eat Your Kimchi Awards." It won the "Best Plot"

award. First, this MV requires a second view to appreciate it further

just like how you would watch "Titanic" over and over again 'coz,

every time there would always be a scene you missed, or turned out

differently from what you originally thought. It tackles a sensitive

subject: homosexual love. So, I'll just discuss the important scenes.

It would be better if you have already watched the MV because this

assessment is granted that you already know the plot.

    Car scene- This is the opening scene showing Dasom and InGeuk

rough-housing. Dasom, continuously teasing Inguek. And he can't take,

much to Dasom's enjoyment. For me, this scene is hypothetical. Dasom

was never there. It has just been InGuek on the car all along. I think

this is just after the wedding. He couldn't take the pain of his

heartbreak. Maybe in his mind, no more chance for him to be with the

guy. The manifestation of Dasom though, reveals the part of him being

guilty because he is inlove with his friend's husband. Her changing

expressions from laughing to sad, in InGeuk's mind would be her

reaction once he admits his true feelings. And also in the later

scenes that shows Ingeuk reaching for Dasom, it implies, he wanted to

be Dasom, so he cn have his friends love instead.

    1st STAIRCASE SCENE- I think this scene is when Dasom and the guy are

already married and InGeuk lives with them. Dasom still loves teasing

him and there is a scene that he is about to return the favor to

Dasom. But Dasom's husband comes in and InGeuk stops. Dasom runs to

her husband and he lovingly shields him from InGeuk. Did you see how

Ingeuk glares at Dasom and sheepishly smiles at the guy? So cute. You

can feel the awkward tension.

    2nd STAIRCASE SCENE- InGuek is going downstairs when he catches the

two going lovey-dovey. He doesn't know what to do. Seeing the person

you are inlove with, being affectionate towards another. How awful

could it be to see that everyday? It's like another stab to the wound.

At the Wedding-So, InGeuk is supposed to be doing best man duties, but

he doesn't seem to be up to it. He should be the one welcoming the

guests, you know not the groom. He steals glances at the Groom,

thinking how handsome he looks. Then, when he sees Dasom, it's like

"Looking beautiful friend. "I honestly think he is happy for her in a

way but sometimes, in the back of his head "Bitch!" I can almost hear

it. It is also where the groom and bride walk the aisle and InGuek

follows him with his stare. He looks back, but it seems he is clueless

about how his friend feels.

    Engagement announcement scene-This is when Dasom and the Boyfriend

tells InGeuk that they are engaged. InGeuk is shocked to hear that.

But they seem oblivious to his disgust.

At the veranda- InGeuk, forever alone. The Groom approaches InGeuk.

This is a giveaway part that you will realize He likes him. It's like

a typical K-drama where the guy pulls the girl by the wrist. Only this

time it's two guys. He is secretly enjoys the moment. Did you notice,

how he becomes upset because it turns out he is taking him to Dasom.

Did you see how he frowns when the two affectionately leans on one

another while they pose for the shot. Next to last, last car scene.

InGeuk takes out the picture of them 3. He rips it to two and later it

overlaps the two until he and the groom are next to each other.

Finally revealing the one he loves is the groom.

    All in all, I love this music video. it should win an Oscar or

anything equivalent. The scenes are back and forth from present to

past, but are perfectly sewn together. Never will you get lost

regardless of what perception you have-whether you think InGeuk is

inlove with Dasom or InGeuk is inlove with the husband. The shots are

beautiful. I love the song. K.Will definitely is a Star Balladeer. He

sings so emotional and the song lingers in my head. But the video

itself carries its own weight. This concept is so different; you

wouldn't even think it would happen in a K-Pop music video since Korea

is still a conservative country. And even though it's a rare concept

it was all worth it since it's effectively put together. It's just

amazingly.