K-pop

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K-pop
Stylistic origins Pop • Dance • Electropop • Hip hop • Rock • R&B • Electronic
Cultural origins Nominally early 1990s South Korea; trace the roots to 1960s
Typical instruments Vocals • Rapping • Drum pad • Drums • Electric bass • Keyboards • Piano • Sampler • Sequencer • Synthesizer • Vocoder • Occasional use of various other instruments
Mainstream popularity Mainstream throughout East Asia. Expanding popularity to Middle East and to the Western world[1][2][3][4] [5]

K-pop (Korean: 가요, Gayo) (an abbreviation of Korean pop or Korean popular music) is a musical genre consisting of pop, dance, electropop, hip hop, rock, R&B and electronic music originating in South Korea.[6][7][8][9][10] In addition to music, K-pop has grown into a popular subculture among teenagers and young adults around the world, resulting in widespread interest in the fashion and style of Korean idol groups and singers.[11]

Through the presence of Facebook fan pages, availability on iTunes, Twitter profiles, and music videos on YouTube, the ability of K-pop to reach a previously inaccessible audience via the Internet is driving a paradigm shift in the exposure and popularity of the genre.[12] South Korean popular culture is today serving as a major driver of youth culture all across the Pacific Rim, with special reference to China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. The genre is currently moving towards a position in the region, similar to that of American music in Europe during the 1980s and 1990s.

Contents

[edit] Definitions

Although in bigger scope, it includes all the genres of "popular music" within South Korea, overseas, the term is more commonly used for songs sung by "Korean teen idols" which covers mostly dance, electronic, rap, hip-hop, R&B etc.[13] Starting in 1992, dance and rap music started to became popular, due to the popularity of Seo Tai-ji & Boys, and it is seen by many as the start of the "K-pop" and ever since then it de facto replaced the whole Korean music scene with this genre[14] (except some some genres from the 80s still popular even today, such as "ballad" and "rock"). However, the term can be debatable.

[edit] History

[edit] Origins: 1920s-1980s, Birth of Trot and Introduction of Western Music

In the mid-1920s, Masao Gouga, a Korean-Japanese composer, mixed traditional Korean music with Gospel music that American Evangelists brought with and have taught since the 1870s. This type of music became known as Enka in Japan, and later in Korea as Trot (Korean: "트로트").[15]

In 1932, a controversial plagarism was caught and condemned by an article in the Japanese magazine "New Young Adult", Gouga's "Sakewa Namitaka Tameikika" was blamed for copying off the work of Korean composer Su-Lin Jeon, which his version was named "The Calm Jang-Ahn". This event triggered a wave of Korean musicians to flourish with talented composers such as Nan-Pa Hong, Gyo-Sung Kim, Yong-Hwan Kim, Joon-Young Kim, Ho-Wol Moon, Mok-In Son, Shi-Choon Park , and Jae Ho Lee becoming the very foundation of Trot music in its early stage.

Trot has been transformed over the years using a variety of instruments and mixing different styles of music to become the dominant genre in the Korean music scene until the late 80's. To this day, Trot music still remains as a popular genre for many; mostly with its very sad melody and heart-touching lyrics.

As Korea was liberated from Japanese annexation in 1945, Western culture was introduced to a small crowd with the few Western style bars and clubs playing Western Music.

After the Korean War, which started on June 25, 1950 and lasted for 3 years, the country was separated into two nations; North Korea and South Korea. U.S. troops remained in South Korea for protection. With the staying of U.S. troops, American culture and the cultures of the world began to flush in. During this time, Western music became more accepted to a wider crowd of young adults.

In 1960s, the improvements in recording system encouraged the production of LP records, which led to the pursuit of diverse voice tones.[16] Many singers sang for the American troops in Korea at the time, and the appearance of chorus in performances was conspicuous. At this period of time, commercial radio stations spread the popular songs among civilians. Kim Sisters (김시스터즈), Bok Hee, Yoon (윤복희) and Patti Kim (패티김) were the first singers to debut in countries such as Vietnam and United States.

American pop songs became more and more popular since the late 1950s. In 1970s, a new career of DJ became popular, deeply impacting the teenage cultures. Guitars and jeans were the symbols of youth. This led more introductions of folk song singers, such as Chang Sik Song (송창식), Young Nam Cho (조영남), Hee Eun Yang (양희은). Seoul International Song Festival was launched in 1977, which encouraged the cultural exchanges with other countries.

In 1980, Asia Music Forum was launched. National singers from five different Asian countries competed in this event. Young Pil, Cho (조용필) won the first place, and earned high reputation as a Korean singer in Japan.

[edit] 1990s: Diversification

The debut of Seo Tai-ji & Boys in 1992 was a turning point for popular music in South Korea, incorporating elements of rap rock and techno. Hip hop duos such as Deux were also popular in the early 1990s.

SM Town Live World Tour in New York.

[edit] Beginning of Hallyu

See also: Hallyu

The founding of South Korea's largest talent agency, S.M. Entertainment, in 1995, by Korean entrepreneur Lee Soo Man led to the first K-pop girl groups and boy bands.[17] By the late 1990s, YG Entertainment, DSP Entertainment, and JYP Entertainment, FNC_Music had burst onto the scene and were producing talent as quickly as the public could consume it.[11]

Groups such as, S.E.S., Fin.K.L, H.O.T, Sechs Kies, G.o.d., Fly to the Sky and Shinhwa had huge success in the 1990s, not only in South Korea, but also outside of the country as well. Especially, artists such as H.O.T, Kim Wan-Sun, Clon, Baby V.O.X, NRG saw huge successes in China and Taiwan in the mid-90s.

Also during this period was the emergence of hip hop and R&B music in Korea, leading to the success of artists including Drunken Tiger.

[edit] 2000s: Popularity in Asia & Globalization

Many of K-pop's biggest idol groups and solo acts, including BoA, Rain Bi, Wonder Girls, JYJ, TVXQ, 2AM, 2PM, BIGBANG, Miss A, KARA, SHINee, After School, Brown Eyed Girls, Se7en, Super Junior, Girl's Generation, IU, f(x), CNBLUE, F.T. Island, Secret, MBLAQ, and 2NE1 are popular in most East and South East Asia, including Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, China, Vietnam.[18] Through the internet, recently, K-pop started to expand to the rest of the world as well, but it yet has not become well known enough to be mainstream in those countries. Kpop has undoubtly caught the interest of the growing new generation. [19]

[edit] China

K-pop started to become well-known in China since late 1990s and beginning of early 2000s. K-pop artists such as NRG, HOT, DIVA (디바), Jeong Hyun Lee (이정현) and others stayed in China for their performances. Super Junior is the most popular group in China. They have the greatest fan dom in China. Their unit group Super Junior M had successful results with the song “태완미(太完美)” in 'Kuang Nan (光南)', CCR, and Radio Music Chart HIT FM. [20] Kpop has yet to make a major impact on China but there has been considerable success. Wonder Girls won an award for their famous song Nobody in the 5th annual “China Mobile Wireless Music Award” in Beijing, China for having the highest digital sales for a foreign artist with a total of 5,371,903 digital downloads in 2010. Their song 'Two Different Tears' was also one of the downloaded song and their albums had high sales for a foreign artist.

[edit] Japan

Although the size of the Japanese music industry is decreasing each year, the total sales for K-pop artists has constantly increased over year since 2008. In 2011, it has been reported that the total sales for K-pop artists' has increased 22.3% during 2010-2011, contributing about 1/10th of the Japanese market. Girl's Generation, Kara, and TVXQ are among the best selling artists, making the 4th, 5th and 9th best selling artists of 2011 in Japan, respectively.[21]

[edit] Outside of Asia

K-pop is steadily gaining influence in foreign markets outside of Asia, however, most notably in the United States,[22] Canada, and Australia.[23] In 2009, Wonder Girls, one of Asia’s most successful music artists who sold millions of singles including the international #1 songs “Tell Me”, “So Hot” and “Nobody”, debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.[24]

The Wonder Girls are notable for touring with the Jonas Brothers in 2009 as well as guesting in So You Think You Can Dance Canada and The Wendy Williams Show, making them the first korean artists to guest in american broadtime show.

In 2011, Billboard implemented the Korea K-Pop Hot 100. The girl group 2ne1 was selected as the "Best New Band" by MTV.

In 2011, Girls' Generation debuted as a girls' band. They were on shows such as 'LIVE! with Kelly', 'David Letterman', 'Extra TV', and 'Le Grand Journal (Canal+)'.[25] Since February 27,2012, 2ne1 started working with will.i.am. [26]

[edit] Industry

Year Rankings
2007 23
2009 14
2011 11

In 2011, 1,100 albums were released in South Korea, and Hip-Hop had the most among them. One-third of them are genres that are less popular in South Korea nowadays, including rock, modern folk, crossover, etc. Although idol stars are dominating the K-pop scenes today, It shows that there are still variety of genres existing in South Korea.[27]

Once a market that used to have mutiple of "million sellers" of artists in a year such as Jo Sungmo, and H.O.T , K-pop industry had to go through some tough time around from 2000, as online piracy was more popular among music listeners. The size of the industry shrunk to half in 2005, but the government's Copyright Law help revitalizing the industry, now making 11th biggest music market in the world.

In 2005, South Korea became the first country which digital music market has surpassed physical market,[28] probably because of the timing when the physical market was the smallest. However, the digital market as well as the physical market grew ever since then, and still today, more than half (about 53%) of the revenue comes from digital market, showing the importance of digital market in South Korea.[29]


[edit] Apprenticeship

Today, apprenticeship is the universal strategy for nurturing girl groups, boy bands, and solo artists in the K-pop industry. To guarantee the high probability of success of new talent, talent agencies fully subsidize and oversee the professional lives and careers of trainees, often spending in excess of $400,000 to train and launch a new artist.[30] Through this practice of apprenticeship, which often lasts two years or more, trainees hone their voices, learn professional choreography, sculpt and shape their bodies through exercise, and study multiple languages all the while attending school.[2]

[edit] Criticism

Recently, K-pop has faced some serious problems. [31] Lack of understandings in different cultures raised anger of the foreign fan doms. Block- B, a relatively new boy band, accidentally responded disrespectfully to the mention of the flooding in Thailand during their visit there, when they said that they had donated larege amount of money, one member asked leader Zico how much money he had at the time to which Zico responded he had 7000 won with him. Many Thai people interpreted that Block B had only donated about 7 American dollars and became angered. [32] Moreover, racial descriptions by k-pop stars are criticized. [33]Tiger JK has stated that as K-pop spreads more globally, these stars should pay more attention to the diversity of global population. He added the education on various cultures and international events are needed.[34]

[edit] K-pop artists

Main articles: List of K-pop artists and List of South Korean idol groups

[edit] See also

Look up k-pop in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: K-pop

[edit] References

  1. ^ (Korean) [특파원 월드워치]美아시안계, 韓流드라마에 푹 빠졌다 :: 네이버 뉴스. News.naver.com (2005-12-12). Retrieved on 2011-02-20.
  2. ^ a b The new Korean Wave: Girl groups. Korea.net (2010-10-28). Retrieved on 2011-02-20.
  3. ^ Korean wave laps at Norwegian shore @ HanCinema :: The Korean Movie and Drama Database, discover the South Korean cinema and drama diversity. Hancinema.net. Retrieved on 2011-02-20.
  4. ^ Korea Culture Center to host K-pop event in Argentina. Korea.net (2010-09-30). Retrieved on 2011-02-20.
  5. ^ "대중가요". Ency Korea. The Academy of Korean Studies. http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Index. Retrieved 5 March 2012. 
  6. ^ Jung, Sun (2011). Korean masculinities and transcultural consumption: Yonsama, Rain, Oldboy, K-Pop idols. Hong Kong University Press. p. 5. ISBN 978988802867. http://books.google.com/books?id=npgE-K9rawUC&pg=PA163&dq=k+pop+korean+popular+music&hl=en&ei=7nSXTp2iGqLV0QGKgsGtBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=k%20pop%20korean%20popular%20music&f=false. Retrieved 5 December 2011. "In 2009, the year-end South Korean popular music (K-pop) festivals and awards were filled with pretty boys disguised as girls. At the SBS Music Festival (Gayo Daejeon), some of the top idol boy bands — Super Junior, SHINee, 2PM, 2AM..." 
  7. ^ Hartong, Jan Laurens (2006). Musical terms worldwide: a companion for the musical explorer. Semar Publishers. p. 15. ISBN 9788877780904. http://books.google.com/books?id=KmMx0FA86QcC&pg=PA15&dq=k+pop+korean+popular+music&hl=en&ei=7nSXTp2iGqLV0QGKgsGtBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CEcQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=k%20pop%20korean%20popular%20music&f=false. Retrieved 5 December 2011. "Since the 1990s, popular genres like rap, rock and techno house have been incorporated into Korean popular music, setting the trend for the present generation of K-pop, which often emulates American models." 
  8. ^ Kim, Myung Oak; Jaffe, Sam (2010). The new Korea: an inside look at South Korea's economic rise. AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn. p. 169. ISBN 9780814414897. http://books.google.com/books?id=dxW3MKxCWDwC&pg=PA169&dq=k+pop+korean+popular+music&hl=en&ei=8tCYTpK-G-X10gGVhdywBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFMQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=k%20pop%20korean%20popular%20music&f=false. Retrieved 5 December 2011. "Rain and BoA belong to what is known as K- pop—Korean popular music. Before the early 1990s, the country's music industry was dominated by traditional folk music (crooned by older, often gray- haired singers), ballads,..." 
  9. ^ Holden, Todd Joseph Miles; Scrase, Timothy J. (2006). Medi@sia: global media/tion in and out of context. Taylor & Francis. p. 144. ISBN 9780415371551. http://books.google.com/books?id=h5rBuzQudXYC&pg=PA144&dq=k+pop+korean+popular+music&hl=en&ei=8t-YTrO3Msqbtwf125zhAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAjgK#v=onepage&q=k%20pop%20korean%20popular%20music&f=false. Retrieved 5 December 2011. "Since the 1990s, the term “K-pop” has become popularized to refer to Korean popular music, being widely used throughout East and Southeast Asia." 
  10. ^ "허영생 "허영생은 발라드라는 고정관념 깨고파" [Heo Young Saeng Breakthrough From Being Heo Young Saeng,The Ballad Singer]" (in Korean). Sports Seoul. 15 May 2011. http://news.sportsseoul.com/read/entertain/940075.htm. Retrieved 4 December 2011. "－ 솔로로 나오면서 어떤 모습을 보여주고 싶었나요.
    사람들이 허영생하면 발라드를 떠올리세요. SS501은 댄스곡을 주로 불렀지만 제가 팀에서 메인보컬을 맡았던 까닭에 발라드의 이미지가 강한가봐요. 솔로 준비를 하면서 지인들에게 “나 어떤 거 하면 될까?”라고 물어보면 항상 “발라드 해”라는 대답이 돌아왔어요. “댄스하면 어떨까?”라고 하면 “그냥 노래해”라고 하더군요. ‘사람들이 저에 대해 잘 모르고 있구나’라는 생각이 들었어요. 댄스도 좋아하고 자신있어요. 발라드는 노래만 불러야하고 재미없잖아요. 댄스하면서 관객들과 함께 무대를 즐기고 싶어요.
    (Question: Comparing to group and solo debut are there are kind of look you wanna potray?
    Young Saeng: If mentioned about Heo Young Saeng, people will tend to think about ballads. SS501 songs are usually dance songs, but because I am the main vocalist, thus the image of me as a ballad solo singer is more deep in people. So I asked my friends: "What should I sing?" I got "sing ballads" as the answer. "How about dancing?" "You will be remain better singing." Thus I find that those people really dont understand my thinking. I myself also like dance songs. Ballads which only sing will feel bored. Dance song can enjoy with the audience together.)"     
  11. ^ a b TIME Magazine: Korean Pop – Flying Too High?. 205.188.238.181. Retrieved on 2011-02-20.
  12. ^ Yoon, Lina. (2010-08-26) K-Pop Online: Korean Stars Go Global with Social Media. TIME. Retrieved on 2011-02-20.
  13. ^ "K-Pop". Naver. http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=1083184. Retrieved 11 March 2012. 
  14. ^ "K-Pop". Naver. http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=1083184. Retrieved 11 March 2012. 
  15. ^ ":JPNews 일본이 보인다! 일본뉴스포털!". Jpnews.kr. http://jpnews.kr/sub_read.html?uid=8082&section=sc1&section2=%C0%CE%B9%B0. Retrieved 2012-01-13. 
  16. ^ "대중가요." 대중가요. Seoul: Academy of Korean Studies, Web. 8 Mar 2012. <http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Inde&xgt;.
  17. ^ [news] SM Entertainment continues to cash in profit for the 3rd Quarter of 2010 ~ Daily K Pop News. Dkpopnews.net. Retrieved on 2011-02-20.
  18. ^ Cerojano, Teresa, (Associated Press) "K-pop's slick productions win fans across Asia", Japan Times, 25 September 2011, p. 9.
  19. ^ Matsutani, Minoru (30 August 2011). "K-pop striking chord with the young". Japan Times: p. 3. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110830i1.html. 
  20. ^ "슈퍼주니어M, 중국 가요계 완전 싹쓸이." Newsis. 08 03 2011: n. page. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. <http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=106&oid=003&aid=0003731033>.
  21. ^ 지은, 백 (2012-02-17). "韓가수, 지난해 日서 3490억 벌었다! "소시-카라, 견인차 역할"". Sports Joseon. http://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype.htm?id=201202180100120760010659&servicedate=20120217. Retrieved 10 March 2012. 
  22. ^ 2 American Girls' Love of KPOP, News, Gossip. AKPF Website. Retrieved on 2011-07-18.
  23. ^ Mrkic, Mike (2011-02-26). "Korean pop the next big thing?". Star Observer. http://www.starobserver.com.au/celebrity-2/2011/02/26/korean-pop-the-next-big-thing/45602. Retrieved 2011-02-27. 
  24. ^ "South Korean Pop Sensation Wonder Girls Hits The States | Access Hollywood - Celebrity News, Photos & Videos". Access Hollywood. http://www.accesshollywood.com/south-korean-pop-sensation-wonder-girls-hits-the-states_article_25353. Retrieved 2012-01-13. 
  25. ^ 한, 상미. "소녀시대, 미국 진출…CBS•ABC•NBC 방송 연달아 출연 ." Nocut News. 2012 02 02: n. page. Print. <http://www.nocutnews.co.kr/Show.asp?IDX=2047598>.
  26. ^ Park, Young Woo. "Will.I.Am arrives in Korea to help 2NE1." Korea.com. 2012 02 27: n. page. Web. 8 Mar. 2012. <http://star.mt.co.kr/stviewEng.php?type=3&no=2012022714550048381>.
  27. ^ 이, 동연 (01-11-2012). ""케이팝에 왜 열광하지?"…케이팝의 두 얼굴". PRESSian. http://www.pressian.com/article/article.asp?article_num=30120109101331. Retrieved 11 March 2012. 
  28. ^ McClure, Steve (2006). Billboard Vol. 118, No. 18. Billboard. pp. 23. ISBN 0006-2510. http://books.google.com/books?id=6hUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=ifpi+south+korea+digital+market&source=bl&ots=5JYZEzC9Hl&sig=__SEfeISkXCybBolMnGkhzws64M&hl=en&sa=X&ei=5XlcT97gJ-Ps2QW-28XoDg&ved=0CGwQ6AEwBTgK#v=onepage&q=ifpi%20south%20korea%20digital%20market&f=false. 
  29. ^ "Digital Music Report 2012". IFPI. http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/DMR2012.pdf. Retrieved 11 March 2012. 
  30. ^ TIME Magazine: Korean Pop – Show Me the Money[dead link]. 205.188.238.181. Retrieved on 2011-02-20.
  31. ^ "K-pop과 한류의 명암 - 위기의 한류." 글로벌셀러마니팜닷컴의 명품블로그. Tistory, 07 03 2012. Web. 9 Mar. 2012. <http://blog.manipam.com/593>.
  32. ^ 김, 상기. "엉덩이 내밀고 발로 박수… 블락비 태국 무개념 인터뷰 물의." 국민일보. 19 02 2012: n. page. Web. 9 Mar. 2012.
  33. ^ Park, Soyeon. ""K팝문화 흑인 비하… 놀랍고 역겹다"." Korean Pres. 05 03 2012: n. page. Web. 9 Mar. 2012.
  34. ^ 백, 지은. "타이거JK, "인종차별 안되는 이유, 아이들 알아야한다" 일침." Sports Chosun. 04 03 2012: n. page. Web. 9 Mar. 2012.

29.^ wondergirls wins award at china wireless music award performance. Retrieved on 2012-03-11.

[edit] Bibliography

  • Heo, Juno (2012). K-pop community site. http://koremusic.tistory.com. JunoHeo Publishers. 
  • Hartong, Jan Laurens (2006). Musical terms worldwide: a companion for the musical explorer. Semar Publishers. ISBN 9788877780904. 
  • Holden, Todd Joseph Miles; Scrase, Timothy J. (2006). Medi@sia: global media/tion in and out of context. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9780415371551. 
  • Jung, Sun (2011). Korean masculinities and transcultural consumption: Yonsama, Rain, Oldboy, K-Pop idols. Hong Kong University Press. ISBN 978988802867. 
  • Kim, Myung Oak; Jaffe, Sam (2010). The new Korea: an inside look at South Korea's economic rise. AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn. ISBN 9780814414897. 


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