So I read about T-Ara being cut off by Chris Brown in a rude way in an article on Asianjunkie, a Korean news website that I visit regularly for the fun.
T-Ara performed their own Korean songs on an American stage, a concert organized by Chris Brown. Their manager apparently did a poor job as no featuring was planned, not even a proper stage for T-Ara. I'm not sure about it all.
Anyway, what did people expect? On that website, users seem to feel sorry for the Korean group but I don't. Why would I? I mean, why do they go to the US without even a banging English song to promote? Why are they tarnishing their idol image by associating with Chris Brown? Why not choosing someone "safer" and more serious? They're not "bad girls" and their music is not really R&B (I'm not a fan or T-ara, so I can't be totally sure as I don't know their discography), so why going there?
The kpop idol world is desperate for extra attention, especially American attention. And once in a while they slightly burn their wings in their quest of international recognition. Idols already have a big fanbase in Asia, so I don't understand why they waste their time with smallish gigs in America that go nowhere. Because the Korean labels ain't ready to invest that money, time and energy on one group in a foreign market. If you can't take the heat, don't go to the kitchen, like they say. Don't do stuff half way. Idols are perfect for the Asian market, but not for the West. Their labels need to understand that and stop doing harm to their groups abroad. This is bad publicity and a waste of money.
So I don't feel sorry for T-Ara. Their label messed up. Period. Chris Brown being a dick is no surprise on top of that. Again, idols are tools and they know it themselves.
I'll also say something about Korean artists and the American media or artists. We shouldn't expect anything great. Not for now. Look at what the American media and music industry did to Psy? They made him a phenomenal comedy man, entertaining fat man instead of considering him as an artist. Now what did you expect from Chris Brown in particular? He probably just enjoyed himself with these cute Asian girls without taking them seriously. No surprise here. Asian American artists haven't even managed to get their 2 feet firmly in the mainstream music market mainly because of racism. If Asians from Asia want to be taken very seriously in the US, their Asian Americans peers need to step up and be given a chance to get big and relevant in their own country first.
