Music
WTF
WTF is… K-Pop
Know your Seventeen from your Stray Kids? Your BTS from your BoA? Here's your handy 101 on getting into K-Pop
K-Pop: possibly one of the most well-known and yet vastly misunderstood music genres around. Most have heard of it, but few outside its core fandom know much about it – as a genre it manages to be both mainstream and niche. K-Pop groups are continuing to gain more global recognition and opportunities, despite not being household names in the Western market. Take Seventeen for example, who this year became the first K-Pop group to perform at Glastonbury, a huge milestone for any group. There are many misconceptions around what a K-Pop song should be, and it can be intimidating for newcomers to get into the genre. Still, once you begin to learn more about it, you’ll be able to see it’s not quite as complicated as it appears.
It’s no secret that K-Pop is a genre that is rapidly growing – and for good reason. With intricate choreography, a wide range of sounds and a constant flow of engaging content, K-Pop is set to continue to entice new audiences. Here’s our handy guide to getting into K-Pop.
The origins of K-Pop
The beginnings of K-Pop can be linked as far back as the 1950s, when South Korea first became accustomed to Western music. American soldiers came over to South Korea during the Korean War, bringing their music with them. Originally, it was rock music that peaked the country’s interest – and there was a rise in both the number of rock bands in Korea and popularity of the genre as a whole – but pop wasn’t far behind.
It wasn’t until 1992 though, with the debut of Seo Taiji and Boys, that the K-Pop genre began to properly morph into what we know it as in the modern day. Infusing traditional Korean music with Western genres such as pop, hip hop and rock, it was with the success of these acts that an opening into a new market formed, and thus the creation and expansion of K-Pop began.
There have been many groups whose impact has notably boosted K-Pop’s popularity. H.O.T., one of the first ever K-Pop groups, debuted in 1996 and went onto have huge success within South Korea and also Japan, the world’s second biggest music market. Another notable idol is BoA, who not only had success in South Korea and Japan, but began pushing out into the Western market, even releasing a full English album to help appeal to this audience. But perhaps the most well-known breakthrough occurred in 2012 with Psy’s ‘Gangnam Style’, a song which took over the world, broke records and was many people’s first introduction to K-Pop.
In recent years, it’s groups such as BTS, who headlined two nights at Wembley Stadium (2019) and were the first K-Pop group to be nominated for a GRAMMY (2021), and BLACKPINK – the first K-Pop group to headline Coachella – who have made waves in the music industry globally, becoming household names even in the West.
Hallyu
Following on from Seo Taiji and Boys’ success, it wasn’t just music companies who saw how influential K-Pop could be. Wanting to further popularise and globalise their culture, the South Korean Government saw the value of K-Pop and began to invest in the Korean music industry. It was with this investment that many record labels and agencies were created, and with them, the trainee system used to scout and train aspiring K-Pop idols was born.
Hallyu, also known as the Korean Wave, refers to the increase in South Korean culture’s popularity and influence across the globe. It includes Korean food, makeup, skincare, fashion, film and TV, and has been significantly impacted by the rising success of K-Pop. As K-Pop grows in popularity, so does the culture behind it, as idols introduce it to a whole new wave of people.
Take K-beauty for example, which has recently become a global phenomenon, with Korean makeup and skincare products – often endorsed by K-Pop idols – flying off the shelves. Fashion is also a huge part of the K-Pop entertainment industry, with a great deal of thought going into not only stage and photoshoot outfits, but even what idols wear to walk through an airport. These outfits have hugely increased the demand for Korean fashion globally, and at K-Pop concerts many people will attend in recreated looks from their favourite idols. It’s also not uncommon for idols to become actors or actresses in Korean movies or K-dramas, encouraging their fans to watch and discover a new genre of media.
K-Pop dance
With intricate formations, high energy choreography and challenging routines, K-Pop dance is almost as popular and crucial as the music itself. Whilst Western pop groups have long made choreography a part of their artistry, the importance placed on dance in K-Pop is far greater. When new music is released, there will very often be accompanying dance content released alongside it – not just choreographed music videos, but also dance practice videos, which allow fans to see the full choreography and learn it for themselves. The rise of TikTok dance challenges in the last few years has meant that groups like ATEEZ will now often turn their choreography into dance challenges for fans – and other idols – to learn and post.
With choreography and performance being such an important part of K-Pop, having the platform to showcase this is integral. Whilst music-based TV shows such as Top Of The Pops have more or less died out in the Western market, they have remained a prominent part of K-Pop and a key way to showcase new music. There is a multitude different shows that K-Pop groups and idols will appear on during the promotional period for a new release – Inkigayo, The Show and M Countdown, to name a few – to show off new choreography.
![Stray Kids (스트레이 키즈) - God's Menu (神메뉴) [Music Bank / 2020.06.19]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Mu10OiTrXdc/0.jpg)
K-Pop idols and the industry
Due to the high standards of performance expected from them, K-Pop idols go through a strict training system before they are deemed ready to debut – and for some this is a process that can last years. It is in these programmes that they hone their vocal, dance, rap and performance skills. There is a great deal of pressure on K-Pop idols to always perform to the highest standards, and their training period is designed to ensure that they are (theoretically) ready to handle it. It is also part of the reason why their performances are typically so clean – it is a representation of the huge number of hours idols have spent perfecting their craft.
![[1위 앵콜] 230518 aespa "Spicy" 1ST WIN & ENCORE 첫 1위 + 앵콜 무대 @ M COUNTDOWN [720P]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9UkJsxIMBYE/0.jpg)
Music TV shows are a big part of the K-Pop industry, but it’s not just because they allow idols to showcase their performances. At the end of each episode, one group or solo artist will be awarded a trophy: an aspect of the industry that is very important to both fans and idols. Achieving a win is a significant milestone in an idol’s career and rewards them for all the hard work they’ve put in preparing for their new release. These winners are decided by a combination of criteria ranging from fan voting, to broadcast points, digital points and album sales.
An aspect of K-Pop that differs from that of Western pop stars is the frequency, and maybe even quality, of idol to fan interaction. There are many ways fans can connect with their idols, from fan cafes and frequent live videos, to fancalls (online) and fansigns (in person) where fans have the opportunity to win the chance to meet and talk to their favourite idols. One of the most popular ways idols talk to fans is by paid private messaging services, such as Bubble. Here, an idol can send messages and pictures to fans, and respond to their replies with the illusion of it being a private conversation, (even though fans know that this isn’t the case).
Keen to know more? We’ve put together a playlist of some of our favourite artists. K-Pop contains such a wide range of sounds that you’re sure to find something you like – and likely something that will be stuck in your head all day.
Keep an eye on our Concerts & Tours Guide for all the latest on upcoming UK K-Pop tours
Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images
