By Dakshmitha G
K-pop has infiltrated almost all fields and has become a significant part of today’s pop culture, so much that the topic of Pop Culture wouldn’t be complete without it. Not only that, but it’d also served to be a key element in spreading the Korean Culture and language worldwide. The “Hanryu”, literally translated to be “The Korean Wave” that had spread worldwide with the help of increasing Social Media Networks, had made these Dramas and Music Videos that are Korean in Origin more popular.
When we talk about how K-Pop culture has shaped the world's current trends, we most certainly need to understand how K-Pop works. Unlike other music artists, K-pop artists are specifically mentioned to be K-Pop Idols. These Idols go under vigorous training to maintain perfect body proportions, sing, rap and dance. They are usually seen to have stunning and handsome visuals. Not just that, they are trained to dance while they sing, and the content they provide their fans (Often called fandoms) keeps the fans on their toes and hungry for more. It certainly is most addictive, and the entertainment companies that maintain and market these K-Pop groups feed on the addiction the fans have to fill their pockets.
That being said, K-Pop is not just fancy clothes, striking visuals and fantastic choreography. It has more to it. The music these groups create is very catchy. While most of the piece is primarily in Korean, they include a few English phrases and words in the chorus and a few in the song's verses so that Non-Korean people can also follow and sing along to their songs.
As Catchy songs go, we cannot forget these most phenomenal ones:
Love Shot by EXO
Jopping by SUPERM
Fire by BTS
DDU-DU DDU-DU by BLACKPINK
God’s Menu by STRAY KIDS
Fancy by TWICE
Psycho by RED VELVET
Wonderland by ATEEZ
Make a Wish by NCT U
Drunk Dazed by ENHYPEN etc
When it comes to Kpop songs, some of the song lyrics are inspiring and meaningful too. As a majority of the listeners are youths, these songs also stay as a way of providing helpful advice and to make the lyrics relatable such that it comforts the listener.
Some of the K-Pop songs with very Meaningful, deep and comforting lyrics are:
Spring Day by BTS
Runaway by TXT
The Last by AGUST D
Magic Shop by BTS
My Pace by STRAY KIDS etc
Apart from producing music and Performing, Kpop also has a massive influence on the fashion sector. As paparazzi constantly follow these Idols, they tend to be dressed up almost all the time, and their airport looks and public appearances all go viral on Social Media. A hairstyle or an accessory becomes the trend once an Idol is found donning and killing the look! There are even specific websites that sell the same clothes that an Idol wears. But often, these are pretty unaffordable to the average fans as the clothes that Idols purchase are from quite expensive luxury brands like Gucci, Chanel, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, Dior and more. But hair colour and hairstyles do go a long way in trendsetting. Not only that, but there have been instances where even everyday uses things such as fabric softeners, and soft drink brands have gotten sold out just because it was known that an Idol uses them.
But this kind of dedicated fan-following that K-Pop has, has its downsides too. Since it is the nature of K-Pop to make sure that the Idol’s “single” status is maintained so that they can seem like a friend to their fans who talk directly to them, the relationships of a K-Pop Idol is often hidden from the eyes of the general public. But at the same time, this type of culture in K-Pop has led to the increase in obsessive fan behaviour too. These overly obsessed fans, referred to as “Sasaeng” s, are fans who go way over the line intruding Idols’ privacy and just mainly cause safety hazards and sometimes injuries too. There are also “Akgaes” who are solo-stans. These Akgaes try to bring down other group members, saying that their “Bias” (favourite member in a group) is the best. They are mostly why many people think that K-Pop fandoms cultivate toxic behaviour when that isn’t the case.
To conclude, K-Pop has become a household name for Pop Culture and has become a huge sensation and influence. Even then, it is in the viewer’s discretion and choice to see the good or bad in it.
By Dakshmitha G