actually, although boy/girl bands have the advantage here by having a gazillion more crazed fans and that they can therefore sell products (that aren't related to music at all) like little collectibles such as picture sets, stationary, shirts, towels, etc.etc.etc., they also are affected by this as well. even though it is more likely that boy/girl bands are more successful financially than underground groups, you have to keep in mind that since there are generally 4-5 people in a group, the amount of money they get is split and a lot of the money don't go to the artists themselves. for groups such as super junior, although they're wildly popular, i think it's really hard for them to support themselves financially since there are 13 members and even if they do have a chance to get a nice sum of money for their work, after splitting it 13 times, the pay isn't that great. but then again, they have the opportunities to do more CFs, acting, etc. too.
i understand why people illegally download. there are people out there that desperately want music to listen to, but can't for reasons such as being broke, having no job, having no allowance, and parents don't let them. i don't think it's right for them to be deprived of music if they love it so much, but again, it's not right to illegally download. i'm okay with illegal downloading if people just want to hear samples of the songs before they decide whether or not the album is up to par with their tastes. i know some people wouldn't want to dish out $16+ on an album and be disappointed that it's all stupid. but again, if they want samples, they can watch music videos on youtube and some artists put out samples of their songs on their newest albums that are a few seconds long and give people a taste of what their album is like. also, i don't have a problem with this specific group of people: those who illegally download (for whatever reasons such as not being able to wait until they get the album)
BUT they support the artist(s) by BUYING THE ALBUM AFTERWARDS.
i admit it. i download too, but i'm not trying to defend those who dload illegally. because of my circumstances, i cannot buy albums (;_; but i want a CD collection) although if i DID have the money, i would definitely buy all the albums i can get. i love CDs. i really do. once i get my own place, i'm going to have a huge wall or even room full of CDs + even vinyl records if i can find any. therefore, when i am able to get a steady flow of money, i'd probably go broke buying CDs
. now, i just have to settle for getting CDs as gifts ;_;'' which doesn't happen too much.
i don't find anything wrong with digital albums, but i prefer the good old albums that you can hold in your hands.
yes, the music industry in korea is dying. the illegal downloading there is crazy;;;. i know most fans are teen (but not all) such as me, but i wish they'd show more respect for the artist. i tell people that dload and HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY that they should support the artists they like. they respond by asking me why they should buy if they can get it for FREE.
well, i think of it this way. if you don't support the artist by buying their albums and you think it's not a big deal because you're one person, the reality is that there are a gazillion other fans thinking the same exact way and doing the same exact thing. therefore, the artist doesn't get a lot of money especially if they're not big giant popular groups like DBSK that can make money off of CFs, dramas, tv appearances, collectible items, etc., this is going to greatly affect their ability to support themselves financially. this not only affects the artist(s), but the other people involved in the production of the album such as producers and if you see it as a big picture and generalize, the companies are being hurt too and therefore won't be able to support the artists and therefore, NO MUSIC!
yes, i know that's a bit drastic, but i think if this continues and grows on a greater scale, and they can't find other alternatives/stop or reduce illegal downloading somehow, it COULD happen.
it makes me incredibly sad ): SUPPORT SUPPORT SUPPORT!! BUY THE CDS, EVERYONE! although i think underground people are generally more sympathetic to the artists they like (i'm generalizing, i know) and appreciate the work they put into the music they make more than mainstream fans :/.
