What is K-POP?

The literal definition is simple: Korean pop music (Korean Popular Music). But what defines K-Pop? What were its beginnings, and how has K-Pop evolved into what we know today? What has made K-Pop so popular worldwide?

These and many more questions occupy newcomers to K-Pop and, of course, those who have never engaged with the topic before.

History

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The first steps of K-Pop are said to have been taken around 1930, when Korea was still under Japanese occupation.

Early beginnings

K-Pop is said to have taken its first steps around 1930, when Korea was still under Japanese occupation. At that time, Koreans were prohibited from expressing themselves artistically and creatively. In the 1950s, American troops in Korea began hosting small concerts to introduce Western culture to the locals.

Quickly, many groups formed in various genres inspired by Western and Japanese styles. However, it wasn't until 1992 that the first major success occurred with the debut of Seo Taiji and Boys. With their Western-influenced techno beats, rock, and rap elements, they captivated the entire continent.

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Especially bands like BigBang, which made their debut in 2006, brought K-Pop to the forefront in the Western world.

First Successes in America and Europe

In the 2000s, the K-Pop wave finally reached the West. Especially bands like BigBang, who debuted in 2006, brought K-Pop to the forefront in the Western world. Members Taeyang, G-Dragon, T.O.P, Seungri, and Daesung remain significant role models for many aspiring K-Pop idols, despite numerous scandals, and are among the most successful groups in the K-Pop industry. With awards like 'Best Male Singer' at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in 2008 and 'Best Worldwide Act' at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2011, BigBang became the first K-Pop band to achieve real success in the Western world, laying the groundwork for the current hype. Songs like 'Bang Bang Bang,' 'Fantastic Baby,' and 'Blue' are still absolute classics and belong on every K-Pop party playlist.

However, the success of girl groups was also undeniable. Bands like 2NE1 (debuted in 2009), Girls' Generation (debuted in 2007), and Wonder Girls (debuted in 2007) brought significant global success to the K-Pop industry. Songs like 'I’m the Best' by 2NE1 and 'Nobody' by the Wonder Girls quickly entered the global charts and continue to be earworms for many fans today.

Diversity

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To ensure there's something for every ear and eye, entertainment companies come up with a variety of concepts for their artists.

To ensure there's something for every ear and eye, entertainment companies come up with a variety of concepts for their artists. Not only the sound, but also the visual aspect plays a major role in K-Pop. Establishing a reputation as a newcomer requires a lot of talent, creativity, and hard work, as the market is currently full of talented artists. Unfortunately, there are also many bands and solo artists who never make it big. The most popular concepts are 'Cute' and 'Dark'. Many bands also switch between different concepts from time to time to offer fans plenty of variety.

A concept that's becoming very popular again is the incorporation of traditional elements, both visually and in the songs. Instruments like the bamboo flute pi-ri or the plucked string instrument gayageum can often be heard mixed with modern beats or even rock elements, as in the song "Piri" by the successful girl band Dreamcatcher.

Many bands also repeatedly incorporate traditional influences into their outfits, music videos, and performances, such as the hanbok – the everyday dress worn by men and women from 1392 to 1897.

Kingdom, a band that debuted in February 2021, stands out for its royal concept, as its name suggests. Each member represents a kingdom and showcases it through their own album.

Their debut album, "Excalibur," featuring member Arthur, named after the British King Arthur, immediately captivated many K-pop fans with its mystical sounds and armor-like outfits. The kingdoms of China, Russia, Denmark, France, and the Mongol Empire are represented by the other members.

The band ATEEZ stands out with a rather unusual pirate concept, which quickly brought them considerable success. Their first world tour, just six months after their debut, was completely sold out.

With their debut songs 'Pirate King' and 'Treasure,' the guys showed that no one could rock this concept quite like them. A thrilling storyline now runs from album to album, keeping their fans guessing what will happen next.

Many bands embrace the concept of sexiness. Artists try to win over fans with exciting outfits, hot dances, and often pop-infused dance tracks or even sensual sounds. This plan usually works. Ballads are indispensable in K-pop, as in this genre, the artists' emotions are particularly conveyed to the listener. They are also often used as the soundtrack to popular Korean drama series. Hip hop and rap are also important components for many artists and bands. Many songs have one or two rap parts, both for boy and girl bands. Many artists also draw inspiration from hip hop in their choreography.

K-rock is a genre in its own right, but it is also very popular with many K-pop fans, as this genre is also very diverse and can include pop, hip hop, or rap elements. Bands like Day6, Xdinary Heroes, The Rose, and N.Flying have rightfully fought their way to the top of the charts alongside K-pop bands. Also very interesting is the band ONEWE, which is signed to Rainbow Entertainment and forms the parallel band to ONEUS. The connection between this rock and pop band is the twin duo Xion (vocalist - ONEUS) and Dongmyeong (keyboards, lead vocalist - ONEWE).

K-pop is currently experiencing an exciting revival trend that is bringing the Y2K concept back into the spotlight. The group NJZ (formerly New Jeans), in particular, has managed to reinterpret this nostalgic style and thereby trigger a wave of enthusiasm. With their colorful, futuristic outfits and a fresh sound reminiscent of the early 2000s, they appeal not only to the generation of that era but also to a new, young fan base. The combination of catchy melodies, appealing choreography, and a touch of retro aesthetics makes NJZ a prime example of the return of the Y2K vibe in K-pop. In this way, the past is revived and shows that trends can always come back – often in a surprisingly modern form.

K-Pop today

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But what has made K-Pop so popular worldwide in recent years? The guys from "BTS" (Bangtan Boys) have certainly contributed a lot to this.

Many bands and fandoms have influenced the entire scene and shaped it into what we know today. These days, it's natural to open a new album and hope that your favorite member's photo card is included, or to cheer on the artists at a concert with a light stick. But how did it all develop? The first band with an official light stick was BigBang, designed by member G-Dragon. So you can see how much they continue to shape the entire industry to this day. The very first photo cards appeared in Girls' Generation's 2010 album 'Oh!'. Many bands and artists adopted this little extra for their albums. Today, depending on the artist, you can often find several photo cards, postcards, stickers, and more in the albums. Trading and collecting these extras is simply a part of life for many fans. There are also features in fan culture that have become an integral part of the game. Learning choreographies and fan chants, random dance events, fan art, and much more are an integral part of the life of a K-Pop fan. Many people want to show their enthusiasm for the artists in every way possible and are coming up with increasingly unusual ideas to do so.

But what has made K-pop so popular worldwide in recent years? The guys from "BTS" (Bangtan Boys) have certainly contributed a large part to this. The seven-member band, which made its debut in 2013 with the song 'No More Dream,' captivates billions of people around the world.

But RM, Jin, Suga, V, Jung Kook, J-Hope, and Jimin haven't had this success since the beginning of their careers. For the first two years, BTS had to compete against numerous and equally talented competitors until they achieved their big breakthrough in 2015. The song 'I NEED U' earned the band their first win at 'The Show.'

This also marked the launch of their meteoric career in other parts of the world. The combination of hard work, well-produced music, and good marketing managed to bring BTS to where they are today. When their campaign with the eponymous album 'Love Yourself' was launched in 2018, there was no stopping their enormous success.

The boys' message: Learn to love yourself and others. This was well-received, and their collaboration with UNICEF, 'LOVE MYSELF,' was met with great support. Their social commitment brought them a lot of attention and thus struck a chord with many teens, who gained more self-confidence and courage. Their numerous advertising deals, such as with LG and Samsung, are also attracting a lot of attention from people who have never heard of K-pop before and are thus starting to explore it.

But one thing is clear: K-pop is a fast-paced and constantly changing industry, which in some respects is far ahead of the Western music industry. We are excited to see where it goes next.

Note

DAEBAK has great respect for all idols and the efforts of the trainees to become idols, even though the circumstances aren't always ideal. Idols and trainees sometimes have to complete their training and work under very strict and/or difficult conditions, but fortunately, many things have improved over time. We hope that the entertainment industry will continue to improve for everyone involved in the future.