K-pop: An Insight into the Love Affair with An Uncommon Genre
“BTS becomes the third group in 50 years to have three number-one albums on the Billboard 200 charts in less than 12 months.”
“BTS just marked their 57th consecutive week at №1 on Billboard‘s Social 50 chart! The previous record was held by Justin Bieber, who recorded 56 consecutive weeks.”
Music fanatics and artists globally understand that it’s not an easy feat to carve one’s name on the Billboards. It entails amalgamating factors like repeated play on the radio, continuously trend on social media, and record-breaking album sales, each being an onerous task in silos.
For a Korean boy-band to have topped the Billboards with not one, not two, but three albums speak of the paramount popularity this genre is gaining across the world.
We all remember the once trending Gangnam Style had created a ripple across the globe. That moment was probably a nascent point where the world got a taste of K-pop, or short for Korean pop. With time, this genre has tremendously influenced the globe with its imaginative approach to music videos combined with sheer hard-work, making them uniquely stand apart from its contemporaries.
But, how is a music genre trending on the Billboards in a world where the majority don’t speak the language?
Here is how.
Storytelling At Its Core
It is said that the easiest way to convey a message is through storytelling and K-pop seems to have adapted this concept rather well. Almost all Korean music lyrics have an underlying story that is elicited through its videos. For example, when you listen to the albums WINGS by BTS, you realise that it’s themed around youth and adolescence. This 7 member boy-band brings out this concept by narrating each of their struggle of growing up and learning about life. Harping on relatable themes as such makes this music style appealing to a mass audience.
(A deep and alternating storyline captured through the music video of Blood Sweat & Tears: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmE9f-TEutc)
Fashion Week Got Nothing on K-pop Style
It’s Audrey Hepburn. It’s Lady Gaga. It’s K-pop!
The first thing that catches one’s attention anytime a K-pop music video plays is the impeccable fashion sense embodied by the artists. From intricate make-up, electrifying hairstyles, costumes inspired by bright colours, unconventional T-shirt choices and bold prints, the most mundane pieces of fashion have turned into a trending fad. So much so, brands like Gucci, Saint Laurent and Moschino witnessed a rise in searches after K-pop stars wore them. Moreover, any clothing item worn by these artists tends to be sold out within minutes, irrespective of them not being the official brand ambassadors! This stands true to the testament that K-pop fashion statements have managed to influence and inspire more than just the Gen-Z audience.
(All fashion influencers, look here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBdVXkSdhwU)
They Make You Dance To Their Tunes
If it’s not already understood, what makes K-pop what it is today are their unmatchable tunes and catchy beats. This genre takes inspiration from hybrid western music styles like R&B, reggae, and hip-hop and adds their colloquial twist to the production. Staying true to its language, most of the song lyrics are sung in Korean while incessantly segueing into English segments. Be sure of the fact that once you have blessed your ears to K-pop music it’s hard not to get hooked on to it. (Searches for K-pop on Spotify right now).
Taking That Extra “Step” To Make It An Outstanding Performance
If you assumed that K-pop is only about songs and fashion, wait there’s more! For anyone who’s seen any live performance by K-pop artists can attest that these guys sure know how to break a leg. Precise, synchronised, intricate and dynamic, the choreography orchestrated in K-pop videos have an entirely different fan base. It’s a no brainer that A LOT of practice and endless hours of learning goes behind every dance sequence. But isn’t this what makes K-pop a more appealing genre? Let’s not forget that it’s a sure-fire skill to maintain your vocals especially when you’re dancing to some upbeat music.
(A moment of awe for everyone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZh-w2nysuI)
A genre that is foreign to most of the world, K-pop has truly managed to make space in our hearts and playlist. The sheer joy of listening to a song that you don’t understand the language of gives you an insight into a culture estranged from yours. But what connects everyone is that even though there is a striking difference in the culture, the journey unfolded through the music is familiar. Not to forget its propensity to high entertainment value, K-pop has garnered a huge fan following based on faultless and flawless production. From a fashion enthusiast to a dancer, K-pop has something in store for artists of every kind, thereby, making this genre relatable to everyone in its signature way.
