K-pop Around the World: Why People Can't Get Enough
K-pop music, or Korean pop music, gained traction throughout the world in recent years, and its popularity has since grown exponentially. This love of Korean pop music knows no cultural boundaries either; people from countries around the globe are falling in love with the bright lights and catchy tunes that come with K-pop bands such as BTS and BLACKPINK. Why is this happening? What makes Korean pop music so different from other types of music? Are there deeper reasons why so many people around the world have fallen in love with K-pop?
How Did it Start?
The Hallyu Wave, or the Korean Wave, began in South Korea with the rise of TV shows and pop culture. It then spread to Japan in 2004 after Seo Taiji and Boys produced a new genre of music called K-pop. Soon, K-pop became popular across Asia but it was not until 2009 that it reached Europe and North America when Wonder Girls' Nobody was featured on Radio Disney. Since then, many more K-pop songs have been played on US radio stations.
The top four American cities for listening to K-pop are Chicago, New York City, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia, but it influences people around the globe. People love K-pop because they are not only great dancers but they have amazing voices! You can see this by the way their fans react to them on YouTube videos like Taeyang's Eyes, Nose, and Lips. You can also tell just how much some people love them by looking at pictures of fan art.
What Influences its Popularity?
K-pop relies heavily on an individual's voice, and also on visuals to tell a story. K-pop songs are often upbeat and have a good beat and memorable lyrics. Several K-pop stars have become household names in their home countries and globally. Psy became famous for his viral song Gangnam Style which went on to be one of the most watched YouTube videos at the time. Other popular artists include BTS, who made it onto Forbes' 30 Under 30 list last year for accomplishments including besting Taylor Swift's record for most albums sold by a Korean act; EXO, who is signed under S.M Entertainment; Red Velvet and BLACKPINK who both debuted this year.
What makes K-pop so addicting? There is no one answer but I think people love K-pop because it offers something different than what you typically hear on mainstream radio. It is catchy, new, and fun! People of all ages enjoy its music.
The Future of K-pop
In the future, K-pop is likely to grow and become more popular in years to come. Recently it has been trending in Latin America. There are also many YouTube channels catering to international audiences who want to learn more about Korean culture. Although it will take time for K-pop to take over Western markets, it is certainly becoming more popular around the world as well. It does not hurt that K-pop artists are also collaborating on songs with well-known artists like Nicki Minaj and Travis Scott from the US. It is helping solidify their brand.
There is a growing number of non-Koreans joining fan clubs and buying albums just like their Korean counterparts. They are also taking part in other aspects of K-pop culture including fashion trends, hairstyles, makeup tutorials, language lessons, and much more!
Who is your favorite K-pop group? That question is hard for some to answer because there are so many!
@youarestunning . 9/28/2022