Addictive melodies, smooth, synchronized choreography, and attractive faces- with all of these come the perfect recipe to be a global phenomenon. So, it’s no wonder that K-pop – short for Korean Pop – is taking over the world.
The Hallyu wave -the idea that South Korean pop culture has grown in prominence to become a major driver of global culture- as they call it has been brewing and growing in prominence for over two decades. But the music genre at the heart of it has gained popularity only in the last 5-10 years.
Everyone remembers “the horse-riding dance” and the weirdly catchy sounds of “Gangnam Style” which took the world by storm in 2012. But recent times- with seven-member band BTS making their mark in the American music industry- the genre is proving to be much more than just a viral trend in a foreign language.
In fact, K-pop has been making waves on the international music charts, much before the stylings “Gangnam Style” hit our eardrums. South Korean artists, beginning with veteran girl group Wonder Girls in 2009 to the most recent foray by historic boy group BTS, have made into the Billboard Hot 100 charts multiple times, showing the visible outreach the genre has towards a global audience.
Through a combination of not only talent and hard work but also, and probably most importantly, savvy media management (using social media to connect to a worldwide audience) K-pop has been strategically designed to make an impact on a listener.
Additionally, the K-pop “idols” as they are called, precariously balanced on the line of being one among their blooming fanbase, yet distant enough to remain a magnetic enigma, also add to the appeal of this perfectly manufactured music genre.
Overall, outside all of the glitz and glamour, it is the impeccable and unique quality of the music that sets it apart and doesn’t seem like K-pop will stop its climb to the top any time soon.
By Malvika Padin