Top 7 Reasons for K-Pop Music’s World Wide Popularity

Much like the British Invasion in the 1960’s, Korean Music or better known as K-Pop Music is starting to invade the world. And the effect is felt even more in this modern day when technology interprets what could have been lost in translation and help spread the love for K-Pop music, making the hallyu wave crashes all around the world.

The signs are clear. On 6th of Nov, MTV EMA that was held in Belfast announced Big Bang, a popular South Korean boy group, as the Best Worldwide Act. As the winner in this category, they beat other nominees such as Britney Spears. Not long after that, 2NE1, a fierce girl group that is also Big Bang’s label mate, crowned as MTV Iggy’s Best New Band in The World 2011. And to prove the power of K-Pop Music even more, other K-Pop stars such as JYJ, Super Junior, B2ST, and others have and will held concerts in Paris, New York, Barcelona, London, and Brazil. Other fans in other cities and countries maybe will soon have the privilege of having their idols perform live in front of them. There’s even news of Las Vegas designates 25th of November as K-Pop Masters Day, as big K-Pop stars such as TVXQ, Brown Eyed Girls, and others will perform on the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

What makes K-Pop and its idol group so successfully swept away music fans all over the world? Here are the top 7 reasons that help give K-Pop the advantage of taking over the music world:

1. Ultimately Catchy Bubblegum Pop Music
I know not all South Korean Music can be categorized as bubblegum pop music, as there are groups like Big Bang & 2NE1 that have influences from hip-hop, R&B, and even reggae. But basically K-Pop music offers fans catchy tunes and dynamic beats that is so easy listening and will hook your ears to listen up all the way to the end of the song. Forget the fact that most of the lyrics are sung in Korean language that are tricky for most people to sing along. In live concerts in non speaking Korean language countries, fans are singing along with no problem at all. After all, this is the modern day when you can look for lyrics of your favorite songs in the internet, merely seconds after the song is officially released.

2. Fun Dance Moves
You can find fans doing dance cover from their favorite K-Pop stars all around YouTube. From Brown Eyed Girl’s saucy dance moves from Abracadabra, Super Junior’s dance from Sorry Sorry, to Girls’ Generation’s Gee dance moves. K-Pop Idol Stars hit songs usually have dance moves that are intriguing, yet simple, inviting viewers to dance along. There are at least a few steps that are so catchy that makes fans who watch the video would want to learn the steps. And when they do, there are a lot of tutorial video fans can get from the net.

3. Loyal Fans
Most fans are loyal to their idols. But K-Pop Fans are exceptionally dedicated. Big Bang and 2NE1 recent win is a great example of what would happen if an already large fan base shows so much support and vote for their idols. And for fans who don’t speak Korean, there are other loyal fans who do and ready to translate every interview, every video, and even every lyric to their idol’s song, making K-Pop songs and stars reach even more fans.

4. Years of Vigorous Idol Training
K-Pop stars are not a one night product. Before forming an idol group, first an entertainment agency would decide a concept for the group, including type of music, songs, and dance that are fitting for the group. After that, future members of the group went through a period of training that varies from 3 to 5 years. Not only they receive dance and singing training, but also personality and character training. They also would learn foreign language training, as they are expected to be international stars that could speak not only Korean. The training doesn’t stop even after they debut. A member of U-KISS revealed their daily schedule: in addition to busy days on the road touring, appearing on television programs, or recording music they also have to do two hours of exercise in the morning, four hours of dance and choreography classes, two hours of vocal training, and two additional hours for review and language studies. Korean entertainment agency definitely preps their stars to be their best.

5. Government Support
South Korean government has shown great support towards K-Pop music industry. Recently South Korean government remodeled the Olympic Hall into a K-Pop concert hall with more than 2000 seats. They also support overseas concert, and plan to launch a K-Pop academy.They seem to realize that K-Pop music has a potential to further introduce South Korea to the international world, and they really utilize that potential.

6. Ridiculously Gorgeous Physique
I know, we’re talking about music. Why does the physique of the singer should matter? But let’s face it, for every Susan Boyle and Paul Potts around, there are more Justin Bieber and Britney Spears type of successful musician out there. The same case applies in K-Pop music. Most K-Pop Idol Groups that are well known all around the world consists of handsome boys and pretty girls. Whatever image they’re portraying, whether it’s cute and sweet or cool and fierce, they seem like they just jumped out of the newest manga series. They look good in black, blonde, brown, and even blue, silver, and even pink hair. In a time where music videos travel around the world in a second, appearance does matter. Especially when you’re in a group that consists of 7, 9, or even 13 members and your singing part isn’t that much to begin with. Never mind the fact that some of these idols went under the knife to improve their appearance. Hollywood stars are doing it, so why can’t they?

7. Utilization of Triple Threat Talent
A lot of K-Pop Idol Stars are known not only as singer and dancer, but also as actress or actor. Case in point, TOP of Big Bang is praised for his acting skills in the movie 71: Into the Fire and the drama Iris, Taecyeon of 2PM act in drama Cinderella’s Step Sister and Dream High, and YoonA from Girls’ Generation has lead roles in Cinderella Man and the upcoming Love Rain. Korean drama fans who previously don’t recognize these idols as singers would definitely want to hear their song after watching them act. It will also help spread the love for Korean drama, as a lot of K-Pop fans would watch these movies and drama because their idols are in it. Other idols also appear in musicals such as f(x)’s Luna in Coyote Ugly, and SS501’s Kim Kyu Jong in Goong: Musical.

So far K-Pop music has been pretty successful in Asia, Europe, and South America. Now they are slowly reaching the US market, as some idol groups have and soon will be debuting in the US. After Wonder Girls in 2009, Girls’ Generation and 2NE1 are next. Girls Generation recently debut in the US by releasing their single The Boys that is produced by Teddy Riley. 2NE1 will follow, as there are news that will.i.am is producing 2NE1’s English album. Let’s just see if K-Pop manages to crack the US music market. If they do, Hollywood better be prepared for Hallyuwood.

Sunny Kim, “Will.I.am Confirms 8 Songs From 2NE1’s English Album Are Complete” , MTVK
Chung Ah-young, “Culture Ministry Will Launch K-Pop Academy”, Korea Times
Edward Chun, “K-Pop Uncovered: Making Bubblegum, Part 1″, MTVK
leesa86, “What Does It Take To Create an SM Entertainment K-Pop Star?”, allkpop
“Las Vegas Designates Nov 25 as K-Pop Day”, ViKi


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