Korean Pop music seems so simple and fuzzy on the outside but has so many small details that fans remember and are an essential part. We know how groups have official positions assigned to each member of the group. We know how vocalists are the ones who have the responsibility of singing, the leader- the one who carries the group, the center, and many more. Usually, these roles are pre-defined and assigned, but this is not a rule for every group. Exceptions are always there like TXT is considered an all-rounder group. A term that is often used in K-Pop is FOTG. Now you must wonder what exactly is this? FOTG is an abbreviation for Face Of The Group.
Many groups these days don’t have any particular position assigned to a single. All members can be visual, and all can be vocalists. We guess you are already getting confused as if leader and visual were not enough in a group. We now also have a face of the group. Well, worry not, we will give you a clear description and difference between some often confused terms in the world of K-Pop.
What Does ‘Face Of The Group’ In K-Pop Mean?
The face of the group is essentially the member who is a representative of the group. Now, the face of the group isn’t the same as the visual of the group or the center or the leader. While all these roles may overlap and coincide, they are essentially different.
A visual is the most good-looking member of the group, while the center is the one who is usually put in the center for all activities. Sometimes we see a certain member standing in the middle for more emphasis on them. These are centers. The face of the group usually gets confused with these two terms the most. Essentially, any member that is the face usually takes up the job of representing the group. It might be for promotional events or just some conference. Their presence implies that they are present on behalf of their group.
Sometimes, the leader can be the face too. In fact, it is the most volatile position. The face of the group can change with the popularity of a member. All members have their eras, and if a certain member is becoming a better representative on many levels, they will be made a face.
Also, another important fact about the face of the group is that it is not an official position. Unlike leader and center, the face of the group is usually unanimously assumed by the group and fans. Since we have already mentioned above how it is an ever-changing position, this further strengthens the unofficial quality of the position.
How Is ‘Face of the Group’ Decided?
Since it is an unofficial position, many times, the popularity of the idol is a factor. But also the connection an idol has with fans and media is also an important determining factor. If it is noticed that a certain member is bringing new fans to the fandom or is increasing their overall worth as a group, that member is made the face. They are then expected to represent the group at various shows, interviews, and events.
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Some Popular Face(s) of K-Pop Groups
We all know, RM is the leader of the phenomenal boy group of BTS. But he is also the face of the group. If you watch their interviews, you will clearly see that RM takes the lead and does most of the talking. He is a very dependable member, and also his great English speaking skills help a lot too. His English skill has allowed BTS to create an influence all over the world. So, RM is the face of BTS. But the maknae of the group Jungkook is also considered as the face. His all-round talents and good looks help with this.
Similarly, in boy group Seventeen, we have three face(s) of the group. Initially, Mingyu was the face. Maybe his tall height helps with him being noticed very easily! But these days, fans have noticed that Seungkwan is also a representative of seventeen in many variety shows. His good sense of humor gets the credit here. This is what allows him to connect better. We also have Vernon. He is also the face of the group. If you ever make the 13 members stand next to each other, Vernon is the first one you’ll notice. At least that was the case for me. Since he is of mixed race, his looks deviate from the conventional Korean looks. He is considered attractive by many, and his different looks get immediate attention from non-fans even.
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