K-Pop Development and Psys Gangnam Style - Essay Example

K-pop K-pop emerged in the 1990’s following the liberalization of the media and telecommunications technology inthe country (Oak & Woong 1). Koreans, like everyone else in the world, were exposed to American artists and culture. The Korean youth liked the American artists and music. In addition, the country was experiencing a significant increase in the desire for a more exciting and vibrant form of entertainment as opposed to the ballads and trot music that dominated their leisure time. The period was characterized by significant economic growth in the country that increased the consumption power. As a result, the youth had disposable resources that they could use in consuming popular culture. K-pop emerged to meet the need for a form of entertainment that was local but also embraced the pop curiosity that was rampant at the time. An interview conducted on a friend on whatsapp revealed that K-pop music is amazing and emotional. In addition, they are fresh and illustrate change as evident in the manner in which dancers attain rhythm and unity. Many people think that PSY single-heartedly invented K-pop, the Korean music scene. However, the emergence of the music genre can be traced to idol acts who popularized it in the 90s (Oak & Woong 1). Gangnam style, Psy’s sound and comedic choreography has attracted over 1.7 billion views since its release (Oak & Woong 1). In spite of this being the first K-pop hit that has achieved international success, early idols used a combination of western and Eastern sounds that were in-sync with the fashion choices of the time. In 1992, the Seo Taiji and Boys, a trio of singers and rappers emerged with a penchant for mixing American and Korean lyrics (Oak & Woong 1). They experienced success in South Korea due to the inherent desire for a music genre that could reflect their embrace of western culture with betraying their own. Entertainment companies looked at this new trend as an opportunity for enhancing their profits (Williamson 1). As a result, copycats emerged and contributed towards the genre becoming a mainstream act in Korea. The Seo Taiji and Boys achieved a lot of success that their debut date is marked as the start of an era in Korean modern music. They were followed by other boy band acts such as H.O.T and Sechs Kies. The 1990’s K-pop era created the formula that is still replicated today (Oak & Woong 1). Sae Taiji and Boys introduced a highly coordinated and energetic dance routine that fulfilled the desire for a local pop culture. The success of the new genre can be linked to its ability to fuse popular western sounds with the Korean music. The approach played into the nationalistic feelings of a people that are proud of their country. Moreover, the music covered material that young people could identify with (Ingyu & Hyo-Jung 34). Although the idols have evolved, they have held onto the roots of the genre. The promotional formula has been a hip-hop based lead that is accompanied with a fun dance track. Gangnam style has held onto this style and the tremendous success that it has achieved is a reflection of the effectiveness of the formula. The second-generation acts such as Psy have borrowed the over-the-top fashion style that is characterized by unique hairstyling. The sharply choreographed dance moves are also a significant feature of the genre. The first generation idols provided an opportunity for their second generation acts to follow. However, the later have shunned the snobbish mystery that was adopted by the former in favor of a friendlier and more open vibe. Moreover, they have had the opportunity to use platforms such as You Tube to reach a wider audience (Ingyu & Hyo-Jung 35).The nature of K-pop performances predisposes them towards achieving tremendous success in an era where viral content is embraced. Seo Taiji and Boys created the formula that has made Gangnam style successful (Oak & Woong 1). However, Psy demonstrated a significant desire to conform to international standards. In particular, the comedic approach enabled it to gain traction with the international audience. The ability to reach a larger audience has led to a significant rise in K-pop fan around the world. However, it is clear that they are more impressed with a few break out hits such as Gangnam style. Personally, I enjoy Gangnam style but I do not think I will surf the internet in order to see other K-pop songs. Consequently, the ability of K-pop to rival other internationally recognized genres depends on the frequency with which its artists will be able to produce performances such as Gangnam style. The increasing desire for artists such as Psy to push envelopes demonstrates that they are capable of making it a mainstream genre. I watched the movie on You Tube, a popular video platform for young people who are curious about emerging artists. The fact that the video had attracted a large number of viewers enhanced my desire to watch it. In addition, I was able to enjoy the movie more freely than I could have if I were in the presence of other people. The video was brilliant because it reflected the culture of the Asian community without alienating the rest of the world. As a result, it transcended national and cultural boundaries to gain a global following. A few people outside Asia enjoy K-pop but the video has managed to become an international hit song because of its memorable moves that are easy to replicate. Furthermore, K-pop music is fun and imaginative in an attempt to fill a void that is visible in western pop music. Although the genre can be robotic, it is cool and has a significant energetic edge. The songs are accompanied with an upbeat electro timbre and American R& B sounds. Moreover, the repetitive stance robs it of creativity but succeeds in making it simple and catchy. The success of Gangnam style was in large part due to the simplicity of its performance. Young children could easily learn the moves, contributing to its viral spread. Furthermore, the industry has learnt how to package the content in a manner that highlights its captivating aspects. K-pop songs often feature a solo act but others have a small group of lead acts. The fashion of the established K-pop stars is as much a part of the performance as the song itself. The music videos reflect a tremendous regard for high quality images and indicate a deliberate focus on slick dance moves. The videos also feature neon-candy colors and close ups that reveal youth and vibrancy. The stage shows provide a more effective view of K-pop and the fascination with flawless dance routines. The live performances provide fulfillment to its fans but denies them the opportunity to interact with the artistes onstage. Audience participation would undermine the flawless execution that is the trademark of successful K-pop performances. A darker, less appealing side characterizes the modern K-pop genre. The issues tem from the commercialization of the music industry, its inherent sexual dynamics and the presence of racial insensitivity (Williamson 1). The stars have to go through a lengthy process that is aimed at making them appealing a stars. The approach has betrayed the snobbish genuineness that was evident in the first generation K-pop stars in favor of flawless entertainment products (Williamson 1). In spite of this, K-pop is still a remarkable genre that represents the contradictions and culture of Korean society. The genre in effect serves as an admission of western influence while highlighting the unique aspects of Korean culture that should be embraced by the rest of the world. The Korean people are a welcoming, optimistic and industrious people whose virtues form the spirit of the K-pop genre. In Gangnam style, Psy raps like the western music heroes while leading a dance routine. The presence of rap is a feature of the first generation K-pop that has been shared with the new one. In addition, the performances highlight a conversational nature that demonstrates that the genre is an interaction. Most live performances involve audiences who follow the singers. As a result, it is a good song for public events. Moreover, it engages the audience and forces people to interact with each other because the success of their performances depends on coordination. Consequently, K-pop demonstrates the features of an effective entertainment feature. Although K-pop is an Asian form of expression fused with western sounds, an increasing number of western artists are embracing it. An interview with a friend revealed that this was a testament to the need for Korean music to produce content appealing to a diverse audience. Moreover, it is a subtle form of spreading the local culture. The success of Gangnam style can be linked to its attempt to embrace international trends without neglecting its roots. The music fuses pop, dance, house, R& B and hip hop. The approach succeeds in making it more familiar to a large audience while allowing it to poses a unique feature that separates it from other genres. For instance, it poses a euro-tone stance that is not present in other genres. In conclusion, it is evident that Gangnam Style is an iconic song that transcends its source culture to become a symbol of modern entertainment. An evaluation of the reception that it received demonstrates that it has become a defining symbol of our age. Consequently, I hope that the Psy and other K-pop artistes can replicate this success in their future performances Works Cited Ingyu, OH, & Hyo-Jung, LEE. Mass Media Technologies and Popular Music Genres: K-pop and YouTube. Korea Journal, 53. 4 (2013): 34-58. Print. Oak, Jessica & Woong Park Young. The Root of K-Pop: The Influences of Todays Biggest Acts. Billboard. 6 August 2013. Web. 20 July 2015. Williamson, Lucy. The dark side of South Korean pop music. BBC. 15 June 2012. Web. 20 July 2015. Read More