More than just K-pop

(My Jay Park sketch on-the-making)

Korean pop or more known as K-pop is a genre of music in the Southern part of Korea, which consists of (according to wikipedia) electronic pop, hip-hop, dance and R&B.

 I for one have been a fan of this kind of music ever since my second year in high school, roughly five years and counting. It was introduced to me by my friends during the latter part of my first year but I was not attracted to it until well, the next year. What is the reason for that? I used to be an Anime and J-pop fan. I more addicted to those before K-pop came knocking on my door. I grew up with those action-packed, lovey dovey, mythical, school-oriented, friendship-related animated stories since I was like six years old? (around that time perhaps) Anyway, along with an anime series is a set of Japanese OST songs to go along with it. So of course I instantly became a fan of J-pop. However I was only familiarized with their “Idol World” when I was twelve just when I was about to fly off to the “Korean Idol Scene”. It was a pretty late realization, I only knew of Arashi, News, Kat-Tun and the others that time. I became a fan of JDoramas or Japanese dramas (mostly live-action series of manga stories) within the time my interests were transitioning from the Japanese culture to the Korean culture. It is safe to say I was addicted to both cultures at the same time but when my third year of secondary schooling came I became a fully converted K-pop fan.

Now, I did not really forget the J-pop domain until now but I am not as updated as I was before. I still appreciate the genre but I am fonder of the Korean music scene now. So what basically pulled me in to K-pop? First of all, I fell in love with those freakishly handsome (talented) pretty boys… okay maybe I am exaggerating a bit but there are really some pretty boys and girls you are subjected to drool upon once you have laid your eyes on them. Maybe for some, boy and girl groups were in the past, oh yes they are, but in this part of Korea it apparently ain’t over. Currently though, the industry is no longer flocked by pretty boys alone but charismatic manly guys as well along with time, the entertainment slash music industry is inevitably changing gradually. Second would be well, their catchy songs I cannot understand, similar feelings towards J-pop. Amazingly even if I barely know the language, I love the songs they produce. I am accustomed to foreign language and its appealing beats since my J-pop era anyway, so what else is new?

Lastly would be a deeper reason, you see in the Korean music industry, you don’t simply get signed with a record label. It is not that easy to get in to the limelight, getting there is no joke at all (I guess it goes for any wannabe artist). It is like college, they ‘train’ you for your future work place. Same goes for those aspiring singers and dancers. There are these number of entertainment companies like SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment (the ‘Big Three’ as some say) to name a few, who recruit talented Korean boys and girls (the companies also hold auditions) to train those ‘chosen ones’ as performers on the music stage.  This has been a long practice for who knows when, although now they do get non-Korean people. Now, I for example, get in the first round of auditions, I have to survive several more. Afterwards if I get through, I will get more training in both dancing and singing for how many years, based on how good you are probably… Some become trainees for eight years, some for only a few months. It really all depends on the company. If they think you are ready then to the stage you go. My point here is, training is difficult, you have to compete with hundreds of people and you really have to standout if you want to get picked. It comes with sleepless nights, all sorts of injuries and for a few, home sickness. If this is your ultimate dream, then you have to test your limits and better if you surpass them. I am just simply awed by their determination. Seeing those successful idols on stage, they wouldn't be there if they lacked passion. It is what fuels them to endure those long hours of training. It seems that for them, it’s not just performing, it is an art, and it’s their life. It is not all about the glamorous side of K-pop.

To those who still can’t comprehend, why I love K-pop and the Korean culture I guess, you just have to respect me and those who enjoy their music and their way of life. K-pop is more significant to me than others think. Because of K-pop I was able to discover myself, see skills and talents I thought I never had. I joined dance clubs and such but my dream of becoming a dancer was not so clear when I was younger but with the help of K-pop (by dance covers and cover groups) I was able to perform on stage and prove myself I do kinda have future with dancing. It boosted my confidence. I am a shy person but when on stage I am different. It is like in those movies where you have two identities; I meant that in a good way. I also stumbled upon photoshop, I never knew I could gain skills in that area. I may not be the best photo manipulator out there but I am happy to be one. I was also introduced to writing. I would not have had put up a blog if I was never familiar with writing. Because of fan fictions (I might elaborate this more at another post) I was enticed to write. Now I enjoy it and it became one of my hobbies (I also dream of publishing my own story someday). I have been doing portraits of K-pop idols too. I never knew I can do (its the picture above). I used to draw like lame anime figures but I never realized I could sketch out real people. I could probably make that as my part-time job? Today, I could use those self-honed skills and talents for other things like school works and such. These people who I idolize also inspired me to strive harder and not to give up. One day I will reach my dream, I just have to believe in myself. All those hard times they went through are now in the past, and I wish to be successful like them someday in a different field most likely.

It is not just, K-pop, it was actually one of those events in my life that molded me to become the person I am today. I am thankful for finding this genre.

I respect the interests of other people; I hope those people do the same. I am not turning my back on my nationality. I never did. I am just embracing another culture similar to how we welcomed American culture especially their music in to our lives. In terms of the music, the only difference is that we understand the language that is why it is more loved. The fact that people don’t understand Hangul or Korean doesn't mean no one has the right to listen to it. As if I am reading a book nobody is familiar with and for that I become an outcast.  I did not forget I am a Filipina, I still love OPM, I still love English music; it is just that now, I am not as informed of the new stuff as I was before K-pop. I hate it when people make fun or ridicule K-pop in a bad way. They barely know the culture they don’t have a right to be so judgmental. Yes, we also make fun of the ‘out-of-this-world’ concepts and sounds but not to the extent that it offends others. We don’t mock it so profoundly. I have experienced situations like this, but I just let it slide trying to understand that probably these people are not so open to new things or that their simply narrow-minded. I just don’t want to argue with those people, it will be just a waste of time; they won’t listen to what I have to say anyway. I have been branded as “K-pop” in school, although still a few people know of my interest, that is alright, but what breaks my heart is how they deliver it, they say it out loud in such a negative way or maybe I am just overreacting? I don’t know. I just feel like an outsider when people call me that (I am mostly pertaining to their delivery). It just saddens me that there are some insensitive people around me. Call me weird, call me “K-POP” but I will not turn my back on it. I might not be as crazy about it as I was before, ten years from now, but I will never forget it. As I have said earlier, it has been part of me and I can’t remove what has been within me for all these years. It is like I am killing a portion of my soul.   

    

Like what we Filipinos say “Walang basagan ng trip.” Respect my interests and I’ll respect yours. It is my life. That is all I and probably other K-pop fans are asking for. I’ll do what I wish that does not affect others’ lives negatively. I love Korean pop. If you still don’t understand why, then you have to read everything from the start. This is Mackie, signing out. :)    

Silent

So here am again with my 3^rd blog, procrastinating from studying my last two exams for tomorrow, to talk about me being a quiet prim being.

At school, I am typically one of those people who talk less which results to not being that noticed or remembered. I am not that girl who tells little significant or insignificant stories that happened to me yesterday or any other day to anyone I see most of the time. I am not that someone who has a lot of things to say. I just don’t share what I have in mind that often. I do so when I feel like it. Probably because I am shy, yes I am a shy person that is why I usually vent out my feelings and thoughts through writing so I won’t explode into bits of bazillion tiny particles. Maybe another factor would be is that I am just not a good conversation starter. I am usually the one who ends it simply ‘coz I have nothing else to say or I don’t know how to continue it. I don’t even know why I actually pursued HRM wherein supposedly I need to do a lot of talking and interacting with people. It was sort of a stupid decision. However it is not too late to practice good communication skills, so there is still hope for me.

Anyway, ever since I was young I was not fond of talking (I could not remember though if I talked a lot when I was in nursery or kindergarten or preparatory school or my early elementary days). I am more of a listener. When in a conversation I seldom say what’s on my mind or show a valid reaction whatsoever. I commonly do an “Oh really?” or “Oh, is that so?” or maybe a short “Ah~” worst a simple nod or smile. That does not sound enticing to move on further with our convo does it? When I was a kid, my brothers and I used to hang out with our cousins. I was the only girl in the circle; my female cousins were already in abroad, so I kinda don’t have anyone to spend time with excluding my mother of course. I end up “bonding” with them. Since I am a girl, I could not understand most of the discussions they had. So as a result I keep my mouth shut. Then I guess hypothetically that is another reason why I am so quiet.

During my elementary days, I have encountered a person who told me behind my back I was boring.  What made her say that? Well, we had this year-ender party at school celebrating the upcoming festive holidays early before school ends for the time being, to give way well…for the holiday break. Now, I was asked if I could be the host in our class party. Of course I was honored to do so. I mean, no one ever requested if I could host… Host a party… For someone who is pretty silent, a hosting job won’t really be fit for that individual. Unfortunately that was me. So that person told my other classmates that I was not the best person for the task. True she is (since I don’t speak a lot), but along with those words, she added the reason why. It was because I was boring. Just because I don’t talk much it is equivalent to being a boring person? I seriously did not get it that time, I was young and naive.  Maybe she just prefers those people who are talkative like her to be qualified as hosts? 

So that puzzled me up to now… Am I really dull? My silence is a disadvantage? Do my friends just put up with me and pretend that they enjoy my company but in fact they don’t? Do I seem too serious just because I am not chatty? I haven’t heard anyone say they enjoy my company… well I don’t question them about that anyway but when other people are asked to describe this or that person they say, “It’s  fun being with him or her.” or “I always laugh or have a good time with him or her."  I never heard someone tell that about me. It kinda saddens me now that I think about it, although as I have said I really haven’t asked anybody regarding that and I don’t think I will any time soon. Also add the ugly truth that I don’t know humor. It was and still is not in my vocabulary. People usually notice humorous people don’t they? To spice up their tiresome lives perhaps? So I guess that was the main reason why I was called boring purely ‘coz I don’t know how to make or say jokes. Probably my soft, low-toned voice is also a culprit? Screw my life then. I’d be one of those “Forever Alone” human beings. Haha, okay okay I am exaggerating already but you get the point. However that is not the only existing basis of having a good relationship with others right?

I had a friend who told me my silence was comforting which was touching. I just wish it was the same for others. I am afraid that they might feel awkward since they are not used to not having exchange of dialogues. If only I could tell them that I do feel sane whenever I keep quiet and that I am not accustomed to a lot of talking as well. It is my way of relaxing from a stressful day or merely my “yoga” for every single day, but of course I would sound weird trying to explain myself when they weren't asking for it.  

I also experienced those times (many many times) when I do get the chance to talk, people coincidentally  don't listen... so what is the point of talking if no one is listening to what you have to say anyway? I'll just embarrass myself. Haha. 

Recently though I am trying my best to start and keep conversations running smoothly. I still have not gotten the hang of it, but I hope I will soon, although I could not and will not remove that part of me being quiet. It is my method of reflecting on a day to day basis actually and a way to appreciate life.   The shy part, well I really have to lessen that in order for me to get a decent job in the future. Up to this day it is still unclear to me if I, a silent female individual, bring joy to those around me. I guess I’ll just not think about it too much.  It got me thinking, doesn't it add mystery if a girl or boy speaks less? Wouldn't that intrigue you to know more about the person? One last thing, if I do talk a lot when I am with a person that someone is awesome that he or she can turn, even a quiet girl like me to be talkative. Haha.