Idol Positions and Why They Are a Headache
When becoming a K-Pop fan, there's a lot of lingo to learn in the process. One of the most important things to learn about is the positions that make up an idol group. These titles determine the members’ responsibilities in the group. While the hierarchy of the positions is quite simple, it's good to know what each position actually means. To help you out on your process, take a look at the explanations below.
The Positions
Depending on the size of the group, teams may have more than one member in each position Some members may have more than one title; when this happens the responsibilities and distribution are made within that position before being allocated to other parts.
The Leader and The Maknae
These are the two easiest positions to grasp when first getting into K-Pop. The “Leader” of the group is the person who serves as the go-between for the members and the company. They are either assigned by the company or elected by the group. This person is supposed to command the respect of their members and is the one that members go to for guidance. They also are the spokesperson for the group at events. However, not all idol groups elect a leader and often spread the leader responsibilities among the group as a whole. The “Maknae” on the other hand is a position that a member is born into. This is the youngest member of the team in age.
The Vocalists
There are three levels to the vocalists in a group. The first position is the “Main Vocalist.” They are the ones who are thought to have the best vocal technique in terms of stability and range. They are also more likely to receive vocal solos compared to their counterparts. The next is the “Lead Vocalist.” They are second to the main vocalists. They often sing before the main vocalists in songs and will sometimes sing the chorus with the support of the main vocalist who does adlibs. The unique thing about the lead vocalist is that they often can reach an octave higher or lower than the other vocalists in the team. The last position is “Sub-Vocalist” or sometimes listed as just “Vocalist.” These members are given a few seconds of the song or less and are usually the support to bridge the gap between the main and lead vocalists.
The Rappers
Just like the vocalists, the rappers also have three positions, the first being the “Main Rapper.” They are the ones with the best flow and technique. They receive the most amount of bars in a song and will often have more than one part. The “Lead Rapper” is second to the main rapper. They will usually have a single verse and will rap with the main rapper in other parts of the song. The “Sub-Rapper” or “Rapper” will have the least amount of lines and is responsible for supporting both the vocal and rap teams.
The Dancers
Unlike the other positions, the dancers only have two positions. The “Main Dancer” has superior dancing skills compared to the rest. They will be the ones front and center during dance breaks and will be the first pick when it comes to giving solos in performances. They also may take on the role of teacher to the rest of the members to ensure everyone learns the choreography well. The “Lead Dancer” is also skilled but is seen secondary to the “Main Dancer.” They are usually positioned the closest to the “Main Dancer” in dance formations. They will have a few vocal parts but will mostly focus on dance.
Other Positions
These positions are always a toss up in groups; some groups have all three, some have one or two, or they don’t have one at all. These are often the positions that are mixed up by people who get into K-Pop for the first time.
The Visual
The “Visual” is the member who is considered the most physically attractive in a group. They will get the most commercial offers and will be placed near the center in photos. They can be but are not always the “Face of the Group.”
The Face of the Group and/or The Center
This is often the most popular member of a group. They will get a large amount of screen time in music videos and will be at the center during group photos and promotions. Members who are considered the “Face of the Group” are ones who are immediately recognizable to the public. They appear alot in the media to promote the group. “Centers” on the other hand can sometimes change depending on promotions but other times can be a static position within the group.
Why These Positions Matter and Don’t at the Same Time
Why They Matter
These positions often dictate things like line distribution, screen time, and opportunities extended to each member. When groups are larger, more positions exist, thus pulling things more and more from other members. These choices made during production are what fans get upset at. Things like screen time and line distribution are decided based on these positions and while they are unfair at times, they aren’t things that can be changed.
Why They Don’t Matter
As we have seen time and time again, an “all rounder” defies the rules of the positions in a group. Idols like BTS’s Jungkook, BLACKPINK’s Jennie, or MONSTA X’s Joohoney all have proven themselves to be worthy of the top spot in all positions. Position given doesn’t determine talent or worth to a group because skills can be honed and changed as time passes.
Final Thoughts
Over time we have seen companies begin to unlock the box they shove idols into when they are assigned these positions. While having these titles are helpful to understand the decisions that are made within groups, they ultimately don’t matter as the idols begin to take control of more of their creative processes and decision making. New skills are learned and honed and at the end of the day all idols are idols because they have the talent no matter what their position is.