Once I stumbled upon an interview of BTS on YouTube. They were already pretty big by then. So, naturally I clicked on the video with certain expectations that all of us have when we come to know about an unusual success. But when I watched that video, it felt like I have always known them. They had a boy next door charm to them, a freshness and energy that wasn’t very visible in the mainstream artists. By the end of the video, I was totally charmed and wanted to know more. And since then I have never looked back. As they say, once you jim-in you can’t jim-out (I am sure my fellow kpop fans will know what I am talking about 😉).
All of us have our own stories about how we fell for kpop. Pretty visuals and catchy beats are sure a good reason but if it was just that then it is a wonder how it has managed to stay popular for so long. Kpop is so much more than that.
Training
If there’s one thing that separates kpop from all other music industries on a foundational basis, then it is the time a kpop idol spends training. On an average, the training period is two to four years long, wherein the trainees receive singing, dancing, acting, and language lessons.
A lot of hard work and perseverance is put into sharpening their talent and bringing out the best for the audience. The amount of efforts the trainees put in to fulfil their dreams appeals to the audience and draws them in.
Visuals
Aesthetic values are non-negotiable in kpop. From outfits, makeup, sets and effects, everything needs to be visually appealing. Every little detail is taken into consideration to create a harmonious bigger picture, to complete the chosen theme.
Even the concept of makeup and skincare is not limited to women, men also use makeup and are very vocal about it too.
Themes and Storylines
Almost every kpop group has a theme and storyline that they follow. It may even change with every album to keep things fresh. And who doesn’t love a great story. A catchy song, with visually pleasing music video, and a story to keep you engaged. Sounds like the bestselling plan.
Choreography
Talking about kpop and not talking of choreographies is doing injustice to kpop. Almost all kpop groups incorporate dance routines in their performances. According to the song, the routines range from cute and bubbly moves to full on power packed performances.
Choreography and performances are the most charming aspect of kpop. These days due to the increasing love for dance challenges even kpop groups are joining in making dance challenges to their songs. Fans readily join this challenge and dance to their fav’s songs.
Personality
The personality of Korean artists is very different from that of the artists in the west. They are more humble, likeable, and relatable.
In order to make their dreams come true, they go through rigorous training and then after debuting they are in a state of constant learning and improving to reach new heights in their career. Because success has come to them after all this hard work, they always have a grateful and sincere attitude towards everything.
Even when on reality shows or in the behind the scenes videos they try their best to make it amusing for the audience, so that they don’t get bored watching them. They attribute all their success to their fans and never forget to show appreciation for all the love and support they receive.
Behind the scenes and Reality shows
Kpop keeps its fans involved through a variety of content. Behind the scenes footage are available for their every performance. Kpop idols go on various reality shows that let us see them in a natural setting with no performance to ne performed and no script to act, just them. all the available raw footage of our idols only makes us love them more.
Fanbase
Kpop forges a sense of community all around the world. It gives people a sense of belonging. Compared to other industries, kpop heavily emphasis on the idol-fan relationship. There is a fandom name given to the fans of every group, there is an official light-stick for each fandom, and fans can meet and talk with their idols at fan-signs or fan events.
Kpop acknowledges the power of fans and attributes its success to the same.
Social Media Presence
Kpop artists are known for their strong social media presence, which allows them to connect with fans all over the world. They often use social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to share updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interact with fans.
Global Marketing Strategies
Kpop record labels invest heavily in marketing their artists globally, including targeting international audiences through social media and hosting concerts and tours in various countries. They also often release music videos in multiple languages and create content specifically tailored for different regions, which helps to expand their reach.
Cultural Appeal
Kpop also has a unique cultural appeal that sets it apart from other genres of music. K-pop artists often incorporate traditional Korean elements into their music and performances, which can be both educational and interesting for fans who are unfamiliar with Korean culture. Additionally, K-pop groups often have strong fan communities that provide a sense of belonging and shared identity for fans.
Conclusion
In conclusion, K-pop's popularity can be attributed to a variety of factors, including catchy music, engaging choreography, strong social media presence, global marketing strategies, and unique cultural appeal. However, behind the scenes, there is a lot of hard work, dedication, and investment from record labels, producers, managers, stylists, and artists themselves that contribute to the industry's success. K-pop has also been able to create a strong and dedicated fan base, who are drawn to the music's upbeat energy and engaging performances, as well as the community and sense of belonging that comes with being a fan.
Share This Post On
0 comments
Leave a comment
You need to login to leave a comment. Log-in
