It seems as though every couple of years the music industry spits out a freshly made boy band for teen girls to obsess over. From NSYNC, to One Direction, to BTS—What is it about boy bands that seems to be so attractive to the market? In this article we will review the main aspects of your typical boy band and explain why this form of music seems to always be a hit. 

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     This article follows three main parts: Teen Hormones, Friends, Understanding, and will finally reach a conclusion as to how these groups manage to be idolized by so many. This is in no way trying to bash boy bands or those who appreciate this music style, it is simply an outlook on the reality of the music and marketing industry. 

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Teen Hormones 

     It is no secret that the teen years are weird ones. With all the changes and pressure it's really hard for teenagers to feel welcomed or respected in a way—and that does not go unnoticed by marketing teams. 

 

     A boyband is there to sell a fantasy, whatever that may mean. Their lyrics and design are made with one goal in mind: to sell. Although one could claim pretty boys will always be chased by hormonal teenagers, I think there is a case to be made about how it is not only looks that catapult these boys into teen stardom. 

 

     Teenagers seek acceptance—they want to fit in. So, when pretty boys in extremely tight pants tell them they're beautiful just the way they are, they can't help but get stormed in a tide of emotions they crave. It is just the right mixture of saying the right things and looking the part. A perfect example of this would be the song 'Little Things' by One Direction, in which they describe—- in the vaguest way possible—- little quirks or imperfections their lover has, and just how much they love all of them. This allows teens to project themselves onto the lyrics and picture these lovely boys with melodic voices singing about them. 

 

     Many of us are guilty of looking upon these delusional fans with derision. Who in their right  mind believes that they will really marry a popstar? Unfortunately, teens are most definitely not in  their right mind- es S pecially when the circumstances aren't favorable. These girls genuinely believe that they will marry these idols because that is exactly what the marketing team needs them to believe. They need to sell the fantasy, the acceptance and the praise- The sense of belonging that will be looked at with cringe in a few years. The pop tunes will draw people in, but you need the fans to have an actual connection with their idol for them to spend money on them. By preying on normal insecurities, these teams manage to get girls emotionally invested in the well-being of the artists, which means they will consume anything with said artist's logo. 

 

     It is important to remember that these fans aren't brainless machines following everything their idol does- They are people who were tricked into caring way too much. See it as an entire marketing team, constantly bettering themselves on how to make this band more addictive, against one person. The obsession does not come from stupidity, but from a series of well crafted acts.

 

Friends 

     Now, all that has been stated so far can very well be applied for any other pop-icon- like Justin Bieber- so that begs the question, why do they make it a group? 

 

     This has a few answers besides the basic 'they sing better when they're together' or even the 'their image is stronger as a group'. The fact that there is more than one boy is very important for the acceptance fantasy they are trying to sell. By grouping them together, you can create a friend-group dynamic between the members- this doesn't have to be real, just as long as they're able to sell it to the camera- now, this boy group is not only selling a romantic fantasy but also a friend group. 

 

     I would say this is especially common in KPOP groups- Companies will make future members live together. This gives them time to grow used to each other and have funny stories to share with fans, which makes them seem closer. In interviews, lives and concerts, the group needs to look like they're having fun- like they're best friends who happen to make music together. The key here is to make the audience feel included:, they too can be a part of the friend group if they watch enough interviews, stream all music videos and buy enough posters . However, if not done well, this can be heartbreaking. In March 2015, the member Zayn left One Direction, - who at the time, was still in its prime. In interviews, the singer explained he did not like working with the other boys, crushing the once perfect friend group fantasy and leaving millions of fans devastated. 

 

     We can also explain the group dynamic as a way to give fans something to talk about. They get to pick a favorite, discuss who's the best member with their friends, fight over who gets to 'keep' each boy and so on. This also plays into stereotypes. Every boy band is built a certain way, they pick certain 'personality types' so the group can seem more appealing, these are usually very basic and shallow- you'll find a funny one, a quiet/bad boy one, a cute one, etc.- it provides options, visually and sonorically, so they can reach a wider audience. 

 

Understanding and Conclusion 

     I see this as a more recent phenomenon and it is quite interesting. Old boy bands like NSYNC or Backstreet Boys seem to appeal mostly to the romantic aspect of their discography, whereas newer groups like One Direction and BTS seem to go for a softer approach. Most songs are not about love, in fact they're about self confidence or looking after yourself. 

 

     Although it seems odd, the deconstruction of this fantasy may be the key to maintaining an audience for long periods of time. Once the initial infatuation dries out, a group must be able to maintain a genuine connection with their audience and that seems to be something that new groups have mastered beautifully. I look forward to seeing how newer groups will grow to fit the new standard. Although too optimistic, I do hope the music industry will focus less on selling an addictive group and more on creating genuine musical connections through groups that are stronger together not because of what they represent, but what they make together.