kpop1-5, Exercise 3: Survival-show groups and image control

Model answer:

Survival-show groups (the article names I.O.I, Iz*One, Wanna One and X1) are made through television programmes, rather than being built inside a single agency's training system. The article says these shows often involve larger agencies contracting smaller agencies' trainees into project groups and taking a larger portion of the revenues, which has led to criticism that the larger agencies are monopolising the industry. (This is the critics' argument as the article reports it.)

Image control (any one):
- The Korean idol article says many companies prohibit dating, because reputation is crucial and a scandal could harm an idol's career.
- The K-pop article attributes to Michael Hurt, a cultural theory lecturer, the view that most stars are not allowed to date publicly.
- The K-pop article quotes professor Kwon Joon-won that a star who makes controversial statements should expect to lose half of their fandom.

These should not be repeated as facts about a named group because they are general descriptions or opinions attributed to commentators, not documents about a particular group's contract or rules.

Sources: Wikipedia, K-pop; Korean idol.