[ftnews] music & view: do you still think ft island are ‘idols?’
5-member band FT ISLAND was a little different from other ‘idols’ when they debuted in 2007. While many groups competed with dance music, they came out with ‘rock’ genre that was new to the mass media.
The average of members’ age was less than 20 (It’s still only 22.5) and because their current management company ‘FNC Entertainment’ found and produced the team, they were naturally categorized as idols. Even if they played instruments and dreamed of becoming stage musicians from young age, their age and background challenged them from finding their own music.
Lead vocalist Lee Hongki, who was also a child actor, has kept himself in line as an ‘entertainer’ since FT ISLAND’s debut. This was to promote himself as well as his band FT ISLAND, but many people thought of Hongki instead of their music, and blurred their identity.
Following FT ISLAND, countless idol groups jumped into the K-POP market. In comparison to them, FT ISLAND was around too long. And because they focused heavily on Japan, the term of their official promotion activity was also long. Maybe this was why. The fiery new groups seemed to push away FT ISLAND farther from the mass public before they could even break the stereotype about ‘idol band.’
Then in the Fall of 2013, FT ISLAND came back with a new album and a concert. As a 6-year-old band, considered veterans for idols, they simply, and fortunately, showed a proud stage. They filled their mini album ‘THANKS TO’ with self-composed songs to express thank you to their fans, and their concert ‘FTHX’ was abundant with 21 songs. But above all, both their album and concert are filled with FT ISLAND’s own songs. 
At the 6th anniversary concert ‘FTHX’ held on the 28th and 29th at the Olympic Park Olympic Hall in Seoul, FT ISLAND showed their present: when they are overcoming idols and becoming a real band. Through LIVE performances, they broke the early stereotypes about themselves.
The two-hour concert began with ‘Flower Rock’ that emphasizes FT ISLAND’s strong band sound and carried a fast and fun tempo with ‘Let it go,’ ‘Try Again,’ and ‘Wanna Go.’ Their experiences from big and small stages shined through. With enthusiastic stage manner, FT ISLAND commanded 300 fans. Their communication with the audience, singing and playing their instruments all rocked.
Vocalist Hongki’s skill, especially, (I am sorry for recognizing this now) was rediscovered through this concert. While singing 21 songs for 2 hours, Hongki’s singing skills did not lose its focus. While running around the big stage, his singing was perfect.
Other than Hongki, Choi Jonghun, Lee Jaejin, Choi Minhwan and Song Seunghyun also added to FT ISLAND’s ‘teamwork’ with their charismatic vocal skills. Their instrumental skills have grown, yes. But their collaboration with lead vocalist Lee Hongki to make a song was also brilliant.
In addition to their new song ‘Memory’ and other Korean hits, FT ISLAND presented 11 Japanese songs in Korean. Tracks including ‘Paper Plane,’ ‘Theory of Happiness,’ ‘Time To, ‘Top Secret,’ ‘Freedom’ had stronger rock sound compared to Korean releases. The fact that many of these songs were written by members is notable. At the news conference before the concert, FT ISLAND said, “we thought about FT ISLAND’s musical direction since 2 years ago.” And towards the end of the concert, they performed ‘Be Loved,’ ‘Black Chocolate,’ and ‘Revolution’ as “music that we want to do.” 
The songs released in Japan featured a strong traditional rock sound. And unlike common K-POP songs that gain attention with money, these tracks shared a story of their hardship. Although FT ISLAND performed their debut song ‘Love Sick’ as their final song, they precisely marked their future path with earlier tracks.
Many people talk about idols’ ‘life span.’ It’s true that since 2000, many idols have been staying around longer and taking part in various fields outside music. But musically, we find cases of trying to compromise or taking an extreme experiment route. But it’d be difficult to talk about FT ISLAND’s life span. Popularity no longer matters to them, and it’s now time for them to become a band. The ‘FTHX’ concert has proved that we should be excited about FT ISLAND’s growth and that they are becoming a scary band. A chick that hatched from an egg is now growing up to be a chicken. Based on their start and the K-POP environment, they will of course need some outside help, but it’s time for them to grow by themselves internally. FT ISLAND may have started as a produced idol band, but they will surely become a rooster with deep red cockscomb. In an interview last month, FT ISLAND said they are confident enough to compete against other Korean bands. It is a bold statement but their skills back it up. At this point, we hope to see FT ISLAND at Korean rock festivals. The title ‘idol’ may act to their disadvantage at such gatherings for ‘professionals,’ but FT ISLAND is definitely ready to be praised for their skills.
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Credit: Star Today + DJ.Pri @tumblr.com ;; Twitter@ChocopieK
bangga jap!
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Post time 1-10-2013 10:13 AM
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