If you read the ABOUT section of my blog site, you will know that I am an avid follower of K-POP and Korean entertainment in general. But in all honesty, although I do follow Korean entertainment news like a hawk and know a lot about it, I do not keep up with all the new Korean music just because so much has changed since I first started listening. I love what K-POP was, not what it is becoming...
The first group that I watched was DBSK/TVXQ. I remember the exact moment I saw them. I was watching an old Korean Music Festival DVD at my grandparents' house and they came on the stage, after a lot of other artists. I was so amazed at how talented and how good-looking they were. After that, I started researching about them and other K-pop groups and started watching other music videos and performances of other artists as well. I got into other groups like Big Bang, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, 2PM, but also older 90s artists like Fly to the Sky and Shinhwa. There are a lot of groups that I like, but the K-POP scene has changed so much since the beginning. I have to say that there is no group like DBSK. No one can top them. I have not seen a group that sings with such passion and emotion, as one body, as one voice. The five of them together really make up a group that is just mind-blowing. They sang with their hearts and passion, creating beautiful harmonies. Even without understanding their lyrics, the music just fills you with so much emotion and feeling. They create a sound that is so hard to hear lately. It is a shame that they split up.
The first group that I watched was DBSK/TVXQ. I remember the exact moment I saw them. I was watching an old Korean Music Festival DVD at my grandparents' house and they came on the stage, after a lot of other artists. I was so amazed at how talented and how good-looking they were. After that, I started researching about them and other K-pop groups and started watching other music videos and performances of other artists as well. I got into other groups like Big Bang, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, 2PM, but also older 90s artists like Fly to the Sky and Shinhwa. There are a lot of groups that I like, but the K-POP scene has changed so much since the beginning. I have to say that there is no group like DBSK. No one can top them. I have not seen a group that sings with such passion and emotion, as one body, as one voice. The five of them together really make up a group that is just mind-blowing. They sang with their hearts and passion, creating beautiful harmonies. Even without understanding their lyrics, the music just fills you with so much emotion and feeling. They create a sound that is so hard to hear lately. It is a shame that they split up.
| It really makes me wonder what music has come down to. K-pop is becoming a global phenomenon, but they cannot continue dominating and gaining interest if they continue with this kind of music. Yes, the music is catchy and the singers are good-looking and pretty, but what about the music? Korean music has become more focused on the appearance and the performance and execution of it all. These companies just keep producing these teams that are good appearance wise, but have no raw talent. They just sing catchy, but empty songs. But that's not to say that some of them are not talented. I am sure that these singers work super hard and work hard to get where they are. And some are indeed talented and I really have been amazed to see hidden talents amongst these newer groups. But ultimately, the art and passion in music has completely faded. It's just not what it used to be... Because I yearn to hear some really good music and talent, I really appreciate and like how a lot of 90s artists are making comebacks. That is why lately, I have only been listening to older singers and older Korean songs because everything that is coming out is so meaningless and doesn't deliver emotion or touch my heart. For instance, I highly recommend Fly to the Sky and g.o.d... I am sure that their style of music is not going to be for everyone, but their music and melodies really touch my heart and are so passionate and emotion-filled. These 90s artists are the true definition of raw talent. But, I really believe that shows like Immortal Song really help younger generations to connect with older genres of Korean music because they have younger artists come out and do their own renditions of older Korean music. It helps younger generations appreciate older generation Korean music and find out how beautiful and innocent those songs were. And these younger singers can rearrange these songs to appeal to a younger audience, while matching their own musical style. I have found to love a lot of these older songs because the lyrics are so meaningful and innocent. These singers do a great job at rearranging the song so that it can become contemporary and modern... (Three shown on side...ENJOY!) |
K-POP is definitely becoming a great phenomenon and it's popularity is really spreading quickly. But they need to have a drastic change in order to continue their popularity because lately, people are really getting into honest, passionate, and musically well-arranged music, instead of just simply catchy and repetitive songs. And Korean artists are known to be very creative and artistic in what they do.
K-POP continues to have a special place in my heart because as cheesy as it sounds, so many songs have just spoken to me and have touched my hearts, bringing out various emotions. Some songs just bring me to tears, some make me reflect on my life and relationships, and some are just fun and make me happy... I think it is safe to say that I will forever consider myself a fan of this genre, but it is my hope that K-POP changes slightly, going back to the roots of music to just become real.
So that they can ultimately move people and touch lives with their melodies, harmonies, and lyrics.
K-POP continues to have a special place in my heart because as cheesy as it sounds, so many songs have just spoken to me and have touched my hearts, bringing out various emotions. Some songs just bring me to tears, some make me reflect on my life and relationships, and some are just fun and make me happy... I think it is safe to say that I will forever consider myself a fan of this genre, but it is my hope that K-POP changes slightly, going back to the roots of music to just become real.
So that they can ultimately move people and touch lives with their melodies, harmonies, and lyrics.