Chapter 1: What is Kpop? K-pop (an abbreviation of Korean pop or Korean popular music) is a musical genre consisting of electronic, hip hop, pop, rock, and R&B music originating in South Korea. In addition to music, K-pop has grown into a popular subculture among teenagers and young adults throughout Asia, resulting in widespread interest in the fashion and style of Korean idol groups and singers. Kpop is . Culture One of the more problematic cultural aspects of Kpop is perfection. It’s like taking a mold and using it to shape young men and women into what they’re “supposed to look like.” Plastic surgery is acceptable and in most cases, preferable. It’s not an idea exclusive to the music industry; it’s a lesson taught starting in the home. Image is everything. The rich working class lifestyle is a goal that needs to be achieved. The pressures of achieving perfection – working hard, studying endlessly, and deconstruction of the face and body – are an everyday thing But Kpop also highlights everything that is amazing about Korean culture. There’s a term called the Hallyu Wave, which represents all of Korean pop culture: the music, the dramas, the beauty/skincare, the food, the traditional clothing, the importance of family and respect, and the history behind this beautiful country. For fans like me, there is no better feeling in the world than to see these artists live out their lives as happily as they can. I love to feel the music lift me up from the day’s chaos and give me the strength to set one foot in front of the other. To see a smile on the stars’ faces causes the rush to slow down. These artists must feel a sense of pride after enduring all the hardship to get to the point of success. I hope they do. Their success has reached the world. Kpop is . Rewards and Consequences Rewards: Kpop can bring together people from different backgrounds and places, face-to-face or through the Internet. Kpop also promotes connection with the artists themselves. When they’re being professional, singing their hearts out, dancing with passion, and performing for others, they have this aura of idols. That stage is their pedestal. When you see them working hard to make sure they do their very best, there is this feeling in the pit of your stomach where you know that these idols are above you. They are fine art, not made to be touched. Suddenly, your life is not important; theirs are. You want to do everything in your power to make sure they are safe and secure, happy and healthy. Even when the artists are off the stage, that idol status never disappears. But the air is different. A bond is created between the idol and the fan when the “real person” is revealed. That ‘perfection’ is gone when they get in front of that camera and do something silly. The idol status opens up to reveal the stresses they have to deal with on a day-to-day basis, even when they have a smile on their faces. You can see the burdens they have to carry, even when they try not to show that. Consequences: Kpop is intense and fast paced. Try and take a breather from the Kpop life for a day and you’ll end up missing a lot. Try and catch up on the idols you already love and adore and it seems like you’re missing out on the exciting new idols who could be your next favorites. Kpop is . Trends and Evolution Kpop, just like any music genre, has the ability to evolve. As a genre composed of Korean culture, image and traditions mixed with influences from the West, it has the ability to change and re-style trends that the West has moved on from. Before One Direction re-vamped America’s take on a boy group, the concept of a singing group has been dead for a couple of years. America doesn’t thrive on teamwork. It’s survival of the fittest, and those rules apply to the American music scene as well. One person has to take the spotlight. There is no sharing. Kpop is the complete opposite. The more people in a group, the better it is. A couple of years back, there wasn’t that much room for individuality. But now, I’m seeing groups that have been together for a long time where the members can have solo careers and still come together as a group, no matter how long it’s been. Even many people who don’t like Kpop agree that it’s very catchy. Multiple melodies can appear in one song. Word repetition is used for stability in the chorus and random English words are added for flavor. The style is always funky and artists are not afraid to change up their sound every once in a while. The influence is mostly from the West. Idols are inspired by global artists such as Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Chris Brown, Usher, Justin Beiber and John Legend. When the music scene changes, so does Kpop. It might take a minute to catch on to the newest trend, but Kpop holds onto it much longer than the West does. When a trend goes out of style in Korea, it usually comes back in a couple of years. Or if you’re like BamBam, the trend never goes out of style. Kpop means a lot of different things to different people. Kpop is important to fans the way the clothes on our backs are. It’s not a phase to outgrow. Once you’re in it, that’s it. Roots hold on tight. One way in, no way out. Chapter 2: Kpop terms and breakdown Kpop terms Aegyo – when a kpop member does something overly cute Sasaeng – super obsessed fans that takes it to another level Daebak – means wow in Korean Oppa - a girl calls an older man or her brother Unnie – a girl calls an older girl or her sister Hyung – a boy calls an older boy or his brother Noona – a boy calls an older girl or his sister Sunbae – someone older than you Hoobae - someone younger than you Maknae – youngest member in a kpop band Omo – oh my in Korean Ulzzang – best face most likely the visual Momzzang – the member with the best body Minnat – bare face Dongan - baby face which is the people that look younger than what they really are Aigoo – show frustration in Korean All-Kill - the word used to show when a kpop song hits major charts Andwae – no way in Korean Bias – your favorite member Bias ruin or wreaker - when a member takes over your bias place in your life Body rolls – a sexy kpop dance move used to drive fans crazy Cheongmal – expression of disbelief and annoyance Chincha – are you serious Chocolate abs – abs of an Asian man Choding - someone who acts childish, using a lot of Aegyo Comeback – a new project by a kpop band Concept – image of the comeback Dongdsaeng – younger friend or sibling Fighting – you can do it in Korean Flower boy – an incredibly attractive, model perfect Korean guy who dresses well Jjiang – best in Korean Kimchi - a Korean dish M line - a 6 pack Selca – self-portrait taken with a phone Shipping – show support for any type of relationship Visual – best looking member Wae? – why in Korean Zhjkgandfklkfh - used when can’t type because of too many feels Kpop breakdown Every kpop group is made out of the following. Leader - The leader’s role is to motivate and take care of the other members, and to represent them in various ways – like talking on the stage/ awards festivities, etc. Also, he/she’s supposed to be mature and charismatic and be able to gain the respect of the other members in the band. Vocalists - The Main Vocalist is usually the member with the best singing technique, who gets the most difficult vocal parts. The Lead Vocalist is usually the member with the 2nd best singing technique. He/she usually sings before the Main Vocalist. Sometimes the Lead Vocalist sings the chorus, while the Main Vocalist does the ad-libs. The Sub-Vocalist supports the Main and Lead Vocalists and can get fewer singing lines. A group can have more Main, Lead and Sub Vocalists. Rappers - The Main Rapper gets most of the rapping parts and it’s supposed to be the one with the best rapping skills. Many times, the main rappers write their own lyrics. The Lead Rapper is supposed to be the 2nd best to the Main Rapper. He/she usually begins the rapping parts. The Sub-Rapper is supposed to be better than non rapping members but not as good as the Lead or Main rappers. Dancers - The Main Dancer is usually the member with the greatest dancing skills. The Main Dancer usually gets solo dancing parts. The Lead Dancer is usually the 2nd best dancer in the group. When the group dances together, he/she will often dance in the front. Visuals - The visual is usually the member considered the most physically attractive in the group (according to the Korean beauty standards). Face of the group - The Face of The Group is many times mistaken with the visual, because their main role is to bring public attention to the group. While the Visual is usually the most good looking member, the Face Of The Group is the band’s representative who usually gets invited in variety shows or who represents the band in different public events, so many times is the most popular member.