Bang Si Hyuk Says Talent Isn’t The “Most Important” Requirement For Idols

He favors another trait.

On August 21, Netflix’s Popstar Academy was added to the platform’s catalog. Popstar Academy is a docuseries that follows the formation of the K-Pop trained international girl group KATSEYE.

| Netflix

KATSEYE | Teen Vogue

While not an entirely new concept, the show gives a background look at the group’s formation from the very beginning, including their casting. As a collaboration between HYBE and Geffen Records, many big names in music were involved in the project, including HYBE chairman Bang Si Hyuk.

Bang Si Hyuk | @hitmanb72/Instagram

The first episode opens with officials from the labels reviewing the pool of possible trainees before introducing Bang Si Hyuk and discussing his achievements.

Bang Si Hyuk explains the concept of star power, or that special something that makes people drawn to an entertainer on stage, mentioning that it is hard to notice in trainees. He says, however, despite this, successful producers can spot it from the start from just “one scene.”

Despite that, the few successful producers in this industry, like myself, can identify it. All you need is just one scene, and you’ll think, ‘Oh! I could make something with this person.

— Bang Si Hyuk

This concept of “star power” comes up again in the show’s second episode as the casting team searches for more trainees. Bang Si Hyuk shares his thoughts on the search, saying in English that “usually people believe that skill is the most important part, but for me, it’s star power.”

This part of the episode was reposted on X, generating mixed reactions from netizens.

This explains a lot about the company pic.twitter.com/qnAyQCtH38

— sunoojzg (@sunoocvnt) August 21, 2024

This is in part related to the live singing scandal that went through much of K-Pop earlier this year, and centered on LE SSERAFIM’s vocal skills. The group earned much criticism for their singing that followed them to their Coachella 2024 performances.

Bang Si Hyuk’s words have been scrutinized, with many the validity of his thoughts.

i agree in terms marketability.
for longevity? not so much. https://t.co/6kfD8xLGpu

— 🍉 stream Cosmic 💫💐🌸 (@themilkuyu) August 21, 2024

star power has its highs & lows and will never lasts while talents will forever be acknowledged and remembered by everyone. 🫡 https://t.co/u500FVP6YZ

— 𝓨𝓮𝓻𝓶𝓼𝓺𝓾𝓲𝓻𝓽𝓵𝓮 🐢💜 (@kimmyyyish03) August 21, 2024

i firmly believe you can have both https://t.co/QKjhNYcjIK

— c; (@miingyul) August 21, 2024