seesaw dynamic,
Dec. 4th, 2023 10:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mydollI recently started Universe Ticket because I'm entrenched in the survival show world. 7/10 times, I watched it. Anyway, I was going to drop it because the rules were ridiculous at this point until I spotted an interesting pair. (I dropped it anyway when I realized the adults had no chance.) So, to explore a trope I love that reflects bits of their dynamic, I opened this old dreamwidth and the seesaw dynamic post was born.
Disclaimer: This is a piece with A LOT tinhatting/speculation and a thick finish of delusion.
There are two Japanese contestants from the same girl group called PRIKIL. There's Nana, who is arguably the most idol-like person in the show. I mean, she has a classic it girl name. You see her and immediately see a center. With gorgeous looks and unwavering confidence, she ranked 19th for the first voting round and defeated a contestant in a 1v1 battle with a 5:0 scoring. Then, there's Yukino who carries an air of experience. With cute looks and a crumbly self-assurance, she ranked 73rd (mind you, there are only 82 contestants) and was defeated in her 1v1 battle with a 3:2 by an individual trainee. Now, unlike other MNET shows, they competed by themselves vs a team. The usual comradery we see between same agency peeps was nonexistent. This could be the exact reason why Yukino felt comfortable to air a sore spot— her relationship with Nana or more accurately, her perception of it. She expresses rather openly how she's always falling behind her, even though they're performing together. That she can't wait to compete with her again once she reaches her level. Nana doesn't comment on it, her only comment about Yukino is "I thought she would rank higher" and close-up shots reacting to Yukino's 1v1 battle.
Now, they are the perfect set up for one of my favorite idol dynamics because it carries so many layers and it's completely inevitable. The juxtaposition between the born-to-be idol and the one who worked their ass to give off a similar energy is always hefty. Because it doesn't quite matter what the latter does because if the former is a slightly competent performer, it's over. In this case, Nana is very talented. She can sing decently, dance well, and has a unique stage presence. I'm pretty sure she ranked high because of her looks and will continue climbing the ranks. Yukino doesn't falter behind talent wise. Her skill set is on the same bar, but falters in the -that's an idol- quality. That wedge is what makes their relationship and other similar ones complex because the scale will never be balanced.
From this point, I'm tinhatting. There are idols/trainees who fit this better, but I'm using them as an introduction to the seesaw duo.
Based on MNET's editing, it's probable that the girls are not close and it could be because of Yukino's imposed rivalry. I didn't mention this before, but PRIKIL was formed from another survival show. This should have strengthened their relationship, especially as two same aged friends in the younger side and are trying to debut in a foreign country now. Two coincidences in one go? That's mysterious. But, the opposite happened. Even when they promoted together, it seems Yukino's pride got wounded. Despite being on the same stage aka being equally 'worthy enough to achieve your dreams', there seems to be some -puts on pedestal- action by how she frames her object of jealousy and admiration as the ultimate goal. She never talked about whenever or not they have a friendship. Meanwhile, while we didn't see Nana talk about it, we got some closeups of her reacting to the 1v1 battle. It was glaringly obvious that Nana respects Yukino and wishes her to do well. She looked happy seeing her perform well and was visibly sad when she lost. Unlike Yukino, Nana is probably fond her. I feel MNET asked her about it and concluded to not add any snippets because why would they if she perhaps only talked positively of her? It would be useless for the drama they're trying to create.
And that's how the seesaw dynamic works— two people who are divided and hindered by a usually deeply ingrained security and a strong unbending confidence backed by a genius-like talent. There has to be affection underneath it all, developed through a period of getting along with each other during youth, because resentment or indifference could end it all. It's about how one person deems themselves unworthy because their fixation towards the other person's positive trait, usually posing as an oxymoron to a negative trait of theirs, shrunk them. But, they can't let go due to their desire to be around that light and a mixture of jealousy meeting love that doesn't impede the other. The other person can or can't be aware of the other's emotions. It's usually better when they're not that aware because they are recipients to hostility-coldness (keynote: it can't be overly mean or actually nerve-touching) and are able to power through they're confident enough the other doesn't mean it or their own affection is greater and their selfish wish to be around them is stronger. If we discard the negative emotions bit, they are the person who can see the best traits of the insecure one and don't understand why would they would feel inferior to anyone.
It's a I want to steal your light / What would you exactly steal if I'm reflecting you? situation. It's a Can I be more like you? / I won't budge when it comes to you roll. It's a very intimate 1v1 relationship that shows the best and the worst of each other.
The strength of this dynamic in the idol world is because the bond will evolve as time goes on due to forced closeness since a young age, personal growth (transition to child to adult, popularity growth as individuals), and the transformational shift of the wedge -you're more idol-like than me to a I'm my own person and I can't continue holding that resentment-. It can turn better or worse.
For example, although they don't fit perfectly, there's Wonyoung and Yujin who can show us an angle of the evolved version. Even if Yujin has immaculate star quality, Wonyoung is currently lauded as the most perfect beloved idol. Coming hot to the spotlight as same agency trainees and later on debuting in the same team, Annyeongz were a charming duo who were each other's familiar sanctuary. This started to dissolve little by little once they debuted in IVE and it showed through the consequential lack of interactions between them. Yujin seemed to be fonder of Gaeul while Wonyoung has her bouts of chasing her IZ*ONE unnie to look at her.
This is relevant to the dynamic because the insecure person usually manages to unshackle themselves from the other's hold due to exterior forces. There's a point where most idols diverge from their group image and get opportunities outside to stand as individuals. Usually, gaining love outside and being released from the image that chained them in the first place will liberate them. It changes trajectories because the seesaw depends on the affection of past permeate the present. What happens once the present obligates them to change?
I think, in Yujin's case, her being able to shed the cute puppy image aka her child version and be the mature leader adult made her rethink how she should approach her relationships in the group. With Wonyoung now, it's -being beside someone who shines too much... it's okay to look away- conclusion even if affection is still very much present. The usual rituals won't work anymore because the familiarity they depended on no longer can hold up. There is a greater pressure to change with the entrance of unknown members, a new legacy to carry and live up to, and a new sort of eternity. That is what the insecure one can experience once it breaks away from the past, from the idol wedge that now has different meanings when external factors enter. There is a new landscape to go through, where the attachment has to adapt to the present. The intensity that can't quiet down dims and is replaced by a more passive affection. Yujin, who has been an image outside of IZ*ONE and IVE, deals with more things because of the pressure of having Wonyoung as a teammate in this new setting. (Does this make sense? It's sorta late LMAO.)
You could say their relationship could give path to a seesaw dynamic actually. One who can't deal with the light vs one who could have everything, but refuses to let go.
There's definitely a positive turn to this where the insecure person, once unshackling themselves, becomes more open to accepting the confident one. I just can't pinpoint an idol pair that fits this narrative. (If you know, please let me know!)There's a lot to explore here because instead of operating with a trust founded on the past, it would have to rely on having to love versions of each other that they don't know of and that will feel jarring because of longevity. The confident person who is usually so strong looking would have to unravel their weaknesses because they were probably viewed with a rose-tinted one or their idol-persona was more important at that moment. The insecure person's confident version could be confusing because a lot of suppressed personality aspects will explode. There will be moments where the versions they knew and are getting to know will overlap and that's a struggle on its own. But, if they bypass that, phew! A new trope will come to exist.
Anyway, thank you if you reach this point.
Disclaimer: This is a piece with A LOT tinhatting/speculation and a thick finish of delusion.
There are two Japanese contestants from the same girl group called PRIKIL. There's Nana, who is arguably the most idol-like person in the show. I mean, she has a classic it girl name. You see her and immediately see a center. With gorgeous looks and unwavering confidence, she ranked 19th for the first voting round and defeated a contestant in a 1v1 battle with a 5:0 scoring. Then, there's Yukino who carries an air of experience. With cute looks and a crumbly self-assurance, she ranked 73rd (mind you, there are only 82 contestants) and was defeated in her 1v1 battle with a 3:2 by an individual trainee. Now, unlike other MNET shows, they competed by themselves vs a team. The usual comradery we see between same agency peeps was nonexistent. This could be the exact reason why Yukino felt comfortable to air a sore spot— her relationship with Nana or more accurately, her perception of it. She expresses rather openly how she's always falling behind her, even though they're performing together. That she can't wait to compete with her again once she reaches her level. Nana doesn't comment on it, her only comment about Yukino is "I thought she would rank higher" and close-up shots reacting to Yukino's 1v1 battle.
Now, they are the perfect set up for one of my favorite idol dynamics because it carries so many layers and it's completely inevitable. The juxtaposition between the born-to-be idol and the one who worked their ass to give off a similar energy is always hefty. Because it doesn't quite matter what the latter does because if the former is a slightly competent performer, it's over. In this case, Nana is very talented. She can sing decently, dance well, and has a unique stage presence. I'm pretty sure she ranked high because of her looks and will continue climbing the ranks. Yukino doesn't falter behind talent wise. Her skill set is on the same bar, but falters in the -that's an idol- quality. That wedge is what makes their relationship and other similar ones complex because the scale will never be balanced.
From this point, I'm tinhatting. There are idols/trainees who fit this better, but I'm using them as an introduction to the seesaw duo.
Based on MNET's editing, it's probable that the girls are not close and it could be because of Yukino's imposed rivalry. I didn't mention this before, but PRIKIL was formed from another survival show. This should have strengthened their relationship, especially as two same aged friends in the younger side and are trying to debut in a foreign country now. Two coincidences in one go? That's mysterious. But, the opposite happened. Even when they promoted together, it seems Yukino's pride got wounded. Despite being on the same stage aka being equally 'worthy enough to achieve your dreams', there seems to be some -puts on pedestal- action by how she frames her object of jealousy and admiration as the ultimate goal. She never talked about whenever or not they have a friendship. Meanwhile, while we didn't see Nana talk about it, we got some closeups of her reacting to the 1v1 battle. It was glaringly obvious that Nana respects Yukino and wishes her to do well. She looked happy seeing her perform well and was visibly sad when she lost. Unlike Yukino, Nana is probably fond her. I feel MNET asked her about it and concluded to not add any snippets because why would they if she perhaps only talked positively of her? It would be useless for the drama they're trying to create.
And that's how the seesaw dynamic works— two people who are divided and hindered by a usually deeply ingrained security and a strong unbending confidence backed by a genius-like talent. There has to be affection underneath it all, developed through a period of getting along with each other during youth, because resentment or indifference could end it all. It's about how one person deems themselves unworthy because their fixation towards the other person's positive trait, usually posing as an oxymoron to a negative trait of theirs, shrunk them. But, they can't let go due to their desire to be around that light and a mixture of jealousy meeting love that doesn't impede the other. The other person can or can't be aware of the other's emotions. It's usually better when they're not that aware because they are recipients to hostility-coldness (keynote: it can't be overly mean or actually nerve-touching) and are able to power through they're confident enough the other doesn't mean it or their own affection is greater and their selfish wish to be around them is stronger. If we discard the negative emotions bit, they are the person who can see the best traits of the insecure one and don't understand why would they would feel inferior to anyone.
It's a I want to steal your light / What would you exactly steal if I'm reflecting you? situation. It's a Can I be more like you? / I won't budge when it comes to you roll. It's a very intimate 1v1 relationship that shows the best and the worst of each other.
The strength of this dynamic in the idol world is because the bond will evolve as time goes on due to forced closeness since a young age, personal growth (transition to child to adult, popularity growth as individuals), and the transformational shift of the wedge -you're more idol-like than me to a I'm my own person and I can't continue holding that resentment-. It can turn better or worse.
For example, although they don't fit perfectly, there's Wonyoung and Yujin who can show us an angle of the evolved version. Even if Yujin has immaculate star quality, Wonyoung is currently lauded as the most perfect beloved idol. Coming hot to the spotlight as same agency trainees and later on debuting in the same team, Annyeongz were a charming duo who were each other's familiar sanctuary. This started to dissolve little by little once they debuted in IVE and it showed through the consequential lack of interactions between them. Yujin seemed to be fonder of Gaeul while Wonyoung has her bouts of chasing her IZ*ONE unnie to look at her.
This is relevant to the dynamic because the insecure person usually manages to unshackle themselves from the other's hold due to exterior forces. There's a point where most idols diverge from their group image and get opportunities outside to stand as individuals. Usually, gaining love outside and being released from the image that chained them in the first place will liberate them. It changes trajectories because the seesaw depends on the affection of past permeate the present. What happens once the present obligates them to change?
I think, in Yujin's case, her being able to shed the cute puppy image aka her child version and be the mature leader adult made her rethink how she should approach her relationships in the group. With Wonyoung now, it's -being beside someone who shines too much... it's okay to look away- conclusion even if affection is still very much present. The usual rituals won't work anymore because the familiarity they depended on no longer can hold up. There is a greater pressure to change with the entrance of unknown members, a new legacy to carry and live up to, and a new sort of eternity. That is what the insecure one can experience once it breaks away from the past, from the idol wedge that now has different meanings when external factors enter. There is a new landscape to go through, where the attachment has to adapt to the present. The intensity that can't quiet down dims and is replaced by a more passive affection. Yujin, who has been an image outside of IZ*ONE and IVE, deals with more things because of the pressure of having Wonyoung as a teammate in this new setting. (Does this make sense? It's sorta late LMAO.)
You could say their relationship could give path to a seesaw dynamic actually. One who can't deal with the light vs one who could have everything, but refuses to let go.
There's definitely a positive turn to this where the insecure person, once unshackling themselves, becomes more open to accepting the confident one. I just can't pinpoint an idol pair that fits this narrative. (If you know, please let me know!)There's a lot to explore here because instead of operating with a trust founded on the past, it would have to rely on having to love versions of each other that they don't know of and that will feel jarring because of longevity. The confident person who is usually so strong looking would have to unravel their weaknesses because they were probably viewed with a rose-tinted one or their idol-persona was more important at that moment. The insecure person's confident version could be confusing because a lot of suppressed personality aspects will explode. There will be moments where the versions they knew and are getting to know will overlap and that's a struggle on its own. But, if they bypass that, phew! A new trope will come to exist.
Anyway, thank you if you reach this point.