2. What is Kpop?
K-pop is an abbreviation of Korean pop and this type of genre consists of hip-hop,electronic, rock, and
R’n’B music that is originating from South Korea. It connotes that this musical genre subverts the
stereotype of being all overly sweet and sounding too-sugary bubble gum pop. Throughout Asia the kpop
subculture has grown between teenagers and young adults, in terms of the interest in the fashion and
style of Korean idol groups and singers. Nowadays, people all over the world now enjoy kpop even though
some of the kpop fans don’t necessarily understand the words. However, at times the lyrics even are
partially sung in English.
3. Here’s some examples of K-pop that we often spin: The
first song is a 2007 hit by the Wonder Girls, “Tell Me,” an
example of a Korean pop song that is fun, danceable and
very accessible to American ears, featuring a dash of an
’80s retro freestyle sound. Next is “Run to You” by hip-
hop group DJ Doc, an insanely catchy party anthem from
the late ‘90s that now and then sounds like it could be
could be the Asian cousin of House of Pain’s “Jump
Around.” Last is a tune from 2008 by Korean superstar
Rain called “Rainism,” a song that’s both edgy and
smooth, and at times echoes Justin Timberlake and
newer Kanye West.
4. History
Korean pop, or Kpop as it is more popularly known as, is a huge hit among Korean and international students. With
Korean music getting recognized on the Asian market, as well as at a worldwide level, Kpop is becoming extremely
popular among both Korean speaking people and non Koreans.
The history of Korean pop music is not very old. Pop music has become quite popular in Korea due to the Western
influence of pop music. This doesn’t mean that Western culture is overtaking the Korean culture, but more that it was
the start of various popular music channels like MTV and internet sources, that have spread pop music and had a great
influence upon the inspiration of Korean musicians, as well as general music lovers.
When we look at the history of the Korean pop music, we find out that the Kpop music radio has indeed played a great
role in promoting it and bringing it to the masses. The Korean youngsters are absolutely in love with their Korean pop
music bands and are really proud of the fact that many of them have gained recognition on an international level as
well.
The history of Korean pop music is quite exciting, although quite short, with the rapid spread of Kpop music radio
shaping it. In fact, over a period of only 20 odd years, South Korea itself has evolved from being a poor country, to
being a major international player with incredible commodities and technology. With the coming of many great bands
like FINKL and Super Junior, many music lovers which are not familiar with the Korean language are also loving the
Korean music a lot. Meaning that in a very short period of time, Kpop has in fact become a major export for the
country.
The Korean pop music history does not date back to very old times, as It was just back in the 1990’s that pop music
started to becoming really popular in Korea. Since then, many bands and singers have emerged on the scene, some of
which even proved to be world class players.
However, Korean TV shows have spread the scene further, with many 'soaps' being a huge hit across Asia and some
finding niches in the west. Although many people say that bands like Wonder Girls are actually inspired by the Western
girl bands from their make up, to the music that they make, it is in fact that most modern dance music actually has a
universal language and style ... it is not set in a specific place, or from a particular descent, although I guess it must
have started somewhere first, way back in history.
5. 1. Super Junior
2. SNSD
3. Big Bang
4. Shinee
5. TVXQ
6. BEAST
7. Kim Hyun Joong
8. JYJ
9. 2ne1
10.2PM
6. The main kpop fans are teenagers and young
adults who are aged 16- 20 year old.
However, the popularity of the kpop genre is that
as been spreading across the nation. And
gradually the age group for the audience has
grown which indicates that the number of fans
have accumulated. In addition, regardless of the
fans demographic such as religion and nationality
the number of fans is increasing. This is due to
the number of kpop singers and bands that has
been having concerts in the USA, China, Japan
and in the UK. It connotes that the more that the
fans advertise the Kpop music it is more likely
that the popularity of this genre will accumulate.
Within the kpop genre there are sub-genres that
is within this genre which is hip-
pop, electronic, rock and r’n’b.
7. Public perception of the genre, is it a popular genre with
mainstream appeal or more niche?
The public perception of the genre is that it subverts the
stereotype that kpop is a too overly sweet type of genre. Such
as, there are different sub- genres within the kpop genre. It
indicates that people who are interested in one of the sub-
genres are able to explore kpop music. In my opinion the kpop
genre is popular with mainstream appeal because fans across
the nation have posted and are able to access updates on the
popular music artists and their songs. This signifies that no
matter what your demographic is everyone can enjoy listening
to kpop music.
8. In South Korea, JYP Entertainment is the leading
company for over 10 years, JYP has effectively made
the music production successful due to the
recruitment, training, and management of new
artists. JYP Entertainment has been portrayed as a
business model of
planning, producing, marketing, and selling
entertainment content throughout global networks
in New York, Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing. This is where
artists like Rain, Wonder girls, Miss A, 2AM and 2PM.
9. There are some other magazine that covers the
kpop genre, such as the Sparkling
magazine, ASTA TV magazine, Bromide
Magazine. The Sparkling magazine is the
first Kpop music magazine available in the
Philippines that is 150 pesos. Every year and
season the Sparkling magazine come out.
Within the magazine it features the key
artists, exclusive
interviews, Horoscopes, Korean
events, Fashion advice and Fashion
bloggers. Also the Bromide Magazine is also
available in the Philippines which costs 200
pesos. This Magazine is also issued every
year and season, and features the same
features as the Sparkling Magazine.
ASTA TV magazine is focused on teenagers, teen
idols and entertainment. Every year 12 is
issued and within 2-4 weeks. The shipping
costs are:
Ground (Continental US address) ---> $65.88
... USPS Priority Mail (PO
Box, APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, and other US
territories) ---> $101.88
... International Standard (Non-US nations
only) ---> $167.88
... USPS Express Mail (Non-US nations
only) ---> $311.88
This magazine includes free kpop CDs or kpop
Books.
10. There are different media covers that is covering the kpop genre.
Such as, websites and a wide number of radio stations
(http://www.shoutcast.com/radio/KPOP). The two most
popular radio stations are BigB Radio and SEOULFM because 414
people listen to BigB Radio whereas 244 people listen to
SEOULFM. Each of these radio stations have websites to update
the fans on the popular songs that have been released.
(http://seoul.fm/) (http://www.bigbradio.com/p/kpop.html)
This connotes that in terms of media covers it has helped the
kpop genre to become popular amongst a wide range of people
with different demographics. The way in which the kpop genre
may continue to develop by Allkpop (http://www.allkpop.com/)
updating news on the new artists and songs.