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. :)