ONTD Original: Applying Kpop Group Archetypes to Western Groups
If you're into kpop you would know every group has members with designated roles but have you wondered how Western Groups would fit into the categories?
Before we start throwing Labels at everything, lets define these Archetypes:
Leader: The person that leads the group and usually the decision maker of the group. Usually the oldest member however not always and with some groups they don't even have this and the responsibility is shared.
Vocalist: Self-explanatory. The member that can SING sing.
Visual: Think of this as the 'face' of the group/ They're usually the most beautiful/handsome of the group and draws the most people to be interested in the group. Other skills are optional but not always present.
Dancer: Self-explanatory as well. The best dancer of the group.
Rapper: Although "rapping" is in almost every kpop group, it isn't really a thing in the west. But it's the member that raps, whether or not they're good at is a different question.
Maknae: Refers to someone who is the youngest in a given group.
Entertainers: Not really an offical archetype but these are members who are the most charismatic of the group, usually the best in interviews and/or fan interactions. You could also see them as being the 'life' of the group or the 'Vitamin' as they perk everyone up.
So now that we got the lingo, lets start categorising these groups.
Destiny's Child
Leader: Matthew Knowles, even though he wasn't a child of Destiny
Vocalist: Beyonce
Visual: Beyonce
Dancer: Beyonce
Rapper: none
Maknae: Beyonce
You guys are going to kill me for this but this was the way it was marketed! Let's be real, Destiny's Child was a project to get the public familar with Beyonce before she went Solo. Although Michelle might've had her solo album out first, the promo cycle was short because Kelly's duet with Nelly gained huge momentum and who was given all the BOPs? Beyonce. Who was in the centre in all the MVs? Beyonce! Who had the most lines? Beyonce!
One Direction
Leader: none, i'm pretty sure they said they made decisions together, idk its been years
Vocalist: Liam, Zayn, Harry
Visual: Offically Harry, Unoffically Zayn because his hairline didnt recede
Dancer: Zayn HAHAHAHA jokes, no one in this group can dance
Rapper: none
Maknae: Harry
---
Entertainers: Louise and Nile.
I will not accept any other answers, if any of you even put the thought that Luis and Kneel are anything else i will cry! Regarding the vocals, either they just didn't care or they didn't have the right training, it sounded like everyone was straining to get the notes out.
Pussycat Dolls
Leader: Nicole
Vocalist: Nicole, and Melody for that one time she wandered onto the stage mid performance
Visual: Nicole
Dancer: Nicole
Rapper: none
Maknae: Nicole, although she really isn't. It wouldn't be PCD if it was.
The actual Pussycat Dolls band was created with Nicole being the sole...everything but as they gained sucess the rest of the group weren't happy they weren't getting their piece of the cake leading to them breaking up. They reunited for a song but looks like there isn't any followup after that.
Backstreet Boys
Leader: not sure
Vocalist: Brian and AJ
Visual: With their age range at their peak they pretty much had something for everyone, are you a tween that wants to crush on a teen boy? you got Nick. Are you college student that wants a 'bad boy'? Theres AJ, Are you a parent of a BSB Stan? You got Kevin.
Dancer: no one
Rapper: none
Maknae: Nick
Tween me was OBSESSED. Honestly that 'Quit Playing Games with My Heart' was a big gay awakening for me. This group is a mess these days though especially Nick and Brian.
Source: Me
ONTD, who was your all-time fav group/s?