The Rise of K-pop

The stage is set, the spotlights go on and the 7 members of the most beloved Korean band in the world emerge from the background: BTS. An earth-shattering noise erupts from the audience, where thousands of fans get ready to experience the night they had been waiting for. What follows is a marvellous spectacle of music and dance in NYC’s Citi Field, which marks another milestone for the record-breaking band. October 6th, 2018 witnessed history being created as BTS became the first Korean musicians to host a stadium show in the U.S.

 

Building up over the decades, the past couple of years particularly saw a major rise of Korean influence in the West. Termed as ‘Hallyu’ or the Korean Wave, it is used to define the bloom of Korean popular culture consisting of music, dramas, cosmetics and cuisines to name a few. In the centre of this lies the interminably rising popularity of K-pop.

 

K-pop, or Korean Pop, is a form of modern music that originated in South Korea. Initially, only centrally broadcasted televised talent shows consisted of any kind of music. Not given due appreciation then, it largely gained recognition when democracy and liberalisation of television helped in the formation of what is now known as idol groups. An idol group usually has 5-15 members of varying personalities skilled in singing, rapping and dancing. Their raw talent is harnessed by music production companies, who handle multiple idol groups. Although many members write their own songs and manage production, these hot-shot companies are in charge of everything that is involved in making these idols the heartthrobs of millions of people across the world. They are recruited at an early age of around 13 years. They are trained for several years to achieve the skills they need to step out and start performing.

 

What makes K-Pop so distinctive from other kinds of pop music is the attractive blend of upbeat tunes, stunning visuals and perfectly synchronised choreography. It subconsciously grabs your attention and keeps you hooked. Although it seems it’s all about the striking displays, there is certainly much more to it than that. Most of the songs’ lyrics are deeply meaningful which are meant to inspire or motivate the listeners. Derived from personal experiences, the emotions and lyrics are largely relatable. It is surely worth an effort to move past the language barriers and attempt to understand the words for what they are meant to portray.

 

Their music might seem simple and mainstream at the moment but in fact, they derive influence from a lot of places- from simple nature and what surrounds them. They have explored every genre through the form of pop- be it rock or be it synth-pop. They have redefined the genre of pop. BTS for example, in their latest album series Love Yourself has used pastel colours to define it. Not only do they use pastel as a defining aspect but it also helps set the tone of the album. It is all about being kind to yourself and loving yourself which is beautifully highlighted through the use of baby blues and pinks- a synesthetic experience at its finest. The soft pastel colours imbue a sense of calmness and soothe the viewers. Generating positivity and joy, the underlying message of the importance of self-love is brought out remarkably well.

 

Bright colours are a big part of K-POP culture. EXO, for example, loves bringing out their art through vibrant colours; with a basic colour as their base, they use their outfits to highlight the emotions and the tones of their lyrics. However, a main feature of K-Pop is that it focuses more on the performance than simply the music. It is not only the music that dazzles the spectators but also the way that it is performed, whether it is in a music video or a live performance. K-Pop artists put a lot of effort into their performance. From elaborate dance routines to mesmerising stage sets to eye-catching outfits- they have it all. You will never leave a K-Pop performance unsatisfied – equivalent to a theatre performance.

 

K-pop has now taken over the definition of boybands. A term which was dominated by white male groups such as NSYNC, the Beatles, the Jonas Brothers and One Direction has now been taken over by Asian artists. Many bands – both girl and boy groups – are gaining worldwide recognition such as EXO, NCT, Got7, Seventeen, Monsta X, Blackpink, Mamamoo, Twice and many more.

 

The relationship these artists maintain with their fans is deeply emotional and powerful. Basing the grounds of their achievements on these dedicated fans, the artists never fail to thank them for their unconditional support. They constantly try to reduce the distance between their fans and themselves – through fan meets or live streams. Most of these groups are socially very active, with frequent updates going up about their activities. Sharing a profound level of connection, the fans play a huge role in the success of these band.

 

K-pop has made its place in the global music industry from scratch amid a lot of struggle and adversity. This decade saw the sudden growth of this genre of music and it seems that it will continue to flourish for more decades to come.

 

 

Written by Crew Members- Tulika Somani and Tanishk Thilakan

Artwork by Crew Member- Akshay Dhansoia