In the 1990's, people were stuck repeating bubblegum pop songs about love, heartbreak and all the other things in between. Pop artists like Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys and Spice Girls were all the rage. Pop music died down as we entered the new millennium but after a decade or so, it seems that the public's interest in pop music is being revived by young people in an unlikely place -Korea.
K-Pop, or a shortening of Korean pop, is a musical genre made up of pop, rock, hip hop, R&B and electronic styles of music coming from South Korea. However, K-Pop is not only limited to music. Its influence extends to fashion and style demonstrated by K-Pop artists. K-Pop is part of the Hallyu, or the Korean Wave of Korean culture, music, entertainment and fashion spreading all over the world.
Although Gasoos, or K-Pop artists, seldom sing songs in any language other than Korean, K-Pop still emerged in the international music scene thanks to the internet. With the help of a dedicated fandom, Gasoos were seen and heard all over Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, iTunes and other social networking sites.
The rise of K-Pop accelerated in the late 1990's with talent groups such as YG Entertainment, DSP Entertainment and JYP Entertainment who kept on churning out new K-Pop singers as the public became more eager. Artists like S.E.S., Fin.K.L., H.O.T. and G.o.d. were some of the early breakout talents. In the early 2000's, the K-Pop scene became more systematized, with talent agencies grooming a prospective Gasoo in his or her professional lifewith a two-year long apprenticeship that focuses on voice lessons, professional choreography, rigid workouts and lessons in foreign languages - all while finishing their studies!
From the late 2000's onwards, K-Pop artists like Se7en, BoA, Rain, U-KISS, Super Junior, SS501, SHINee and 2ne1 to name a few enjoyed widespread popularity due to their catchy songs, unique fashion style and disciplined choreography. A relentless touring schedule has also increased their respective international fanbases. In fact, K-Pop had become so popular in the international scene that no less than the Billboard music charts had created the Billboard K-Pop 100 to keep track of what's hot in K-Pop.
But, the thought of a boyband or a girl group singing songs that are easy on the ears and putting on some practiced dance moves are not new. They have all been done before. What sets K-Pop apart from its Western pop predecessors? From a generic style of music, these K-Pop artists were able to imitate it Western pop music and put their own stamp of being Korean. The groove, the rhythm, the style, they all turn into something uniquely Korean. K-Pop is the amalgamation of world music and it looks like it's here to stay.
K-Pop, or a shortening of Korean pop, is a musical genre made up of pop, rock, hip hop, R&B and electronic styles of music coming from South Korea. However, K-Pop is not only limited to music. Its influence extends to fashion and style demonstrated by K-Pop artists. K-Pop is part of the Hallyu, or the Korean Wave of Korean culture, music, entertainment and fashion spreading all over the world.
Although Gasoos, or K-Pop artists, seldom sing songs in any language other than Korean, K-Pop still emerged in the international music scene thanks to the internet. With the help of a dedicated fandom, Gasoos were seen and heard all over Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, iTunes and other social networking sites.
The rise of K-Pop accelerated in the late 1990's with talent groups such as YG Entertainment, DSP Entertainment and JYP Entertainment who kept on churning out new K-Pop singers as the public became more eager. Artists like S.E.S., Fin.K.L., H.O.T. and G.o.d. were some of the early breakout talents. In the early 2000's, the K-Pop scene became more systematized, with talent agencies grooming a prospective Gasoo in his or her professional lifewith a two-year long apprenticeship that focuses on voice lessons, professional choreography, rigid workouts and lessons in foreign languages - all while finishing their studies!
From the late 2000's onwards, K-Pop artists like Se7en, BoA, Rain, U-KISS, Super Junior, SS501, SHINee and 2ne1 to name a few enjoyed widespread popularity due to their catchy songs, unique fashion style and disciplined choreography. A relentless touring schedule has also increased their respective international fanbases. In fact, K-Pop had become so popular in the international scene that no less than the Billboard music charts had created the Billboard K-Pop 100 to keep track of what's hot in K-Pop.
But, the thought of a boyband or a girl group singing songs that are easy on the ears and putting on some practiced dance moves are not new. They have all been done before. What sets K-Pop apart from its Western pop predecessors? From a generic style of music, these K-Pop artists were able to imitate it Western pop music and put their own stamp of being Korean. The groove, the rhythm, the style, they all turn into something uniquely Korean. K-Pop is the amalgamation of world music and it looks like it's here to stay.
About the Author
Ms. Pinky is a mom of 3 school children. She is a Systems Engineer, a Technology Researcher and an Independent Medical Billing and Coding Consultant. She and her family is well-traveled all over the world! Her blogs and websites focuses on stay-at-home moms, dads and students who wants to work at home, build homebased business http://www.mommyisworkingathome.com.
Visit her Interesting Site on Asian Travels and Destinations. Discover Asia's Culture and Great Food! at http://www.wheretogoinasia.com.
Visit her Interesting Site on Asian Travels and Destinations. Discover Asia's Culture and Great Food! at http://www.wheretogoinasia.com.
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