Introducing the Queens of K-Pop
Once upon a time, the mention of “K-Pop” would result in a confused and mystified expression for almost anyone in the West.
Not anymore.
It starts off with a catchy song and a high production music video, but the mesmerizing performance, with intense dancing and singing, draws anyone and everyone in. The powerfully energetic bops always bring cheer and color. The perfectly synchronized choreography add to this magical potion; K-Pop has become a global phenomenon. Not to mention, every single idol serves looks. Speaking from personal experience, one song in and you’ll be crawling back for more in less than 24 hours.
Two decades ago, the first K-Pop song was released, but in the past five years, more than seven South Korean artists have landed a spot on the Billboard 100. One female icon is CL. Once a member in the dominating girl group 2NE1, her solo career also flourished with empowering lyrics and formidable stage presence. Now, the Korean music industry is worth $5 billion. With the internet and especially social media, the spread of information will continue at an exponential rate.
The three elements of the K-Pop industry consist of a charming performance, an elaborate concept, and a constant release of new music. Each group has their own unique message, and they tend to explore various concepts during each album or EP release. There are infinite possibilities in terms of style and aesthetic, and each comeback is a full immersion into that vibe. Girl groups tend to sway towards the “cute” concept, but more recently, their themes have begun to explore other ideas.
The dedication and hard work of each idol is evident in their performances. The interactions between the idols and their fans also contributes to the growing popularity of K-Pop. These artists never take their fame for granted, always thanking and appreciating the support they receive. On the platform VLive, idols stream themselves and read live comments, making us fans out there feel just a little closer to them.
K-Pop isn’t just a song, it’s an entire package.
Just for a small taste of K-Pop, here are some note-worthy artists and idols:
Red Velvet
Mamamoo
BLACKPINK
(G)I-DLE
2NE1
Sunmi
Twice
To be honest, K-Pop has become very solid support system in many people’s lives (including mine). A whole online community is out there to love and support each other, so why not join?
There is so much to explore within K-Pop, so don’t stop here. Youtube and VLive are both great sources for more!
