The Fascinating Journey to K-pop: Insights and Experiences
How old were you when you first got into K-pop? This question often sparks an array of stories and memories. For me, it was quite a journey, starting at the age of 26 in 1998, a time when my search for Asian music led me to stumble upon K-pop and its captivating allure.
Discovering K-pop in 1998
Back in 1998, as a 26-year-old, I was on the lookout for new styles of music and decided to search the internet for "Asian music". To my surprise, K-pop songs started to surface in search results. This is where my journey began with the discovery of "Twist King" by Turbo. It was a serendipitous discovery, and it eventually led me to Lee Hyori from Fin.K.L, which I have cherished.
An Extraordinary Encounter in 2020
A few years back, on August 25th, 2020, I had an unusual encounter when my K-pop fan friend asked me to help change her Instagram highlights cover. While I was recording the screen to show her how, my homepage screen was also captured. At that moment, a post from Jisoo of BLACKPINK appeared on my homepage. I started following her after she referenced a song by Blackpink and I was intrigued by the artist.
Once I started listening to Jisoo's music, my interest grew, and by August 27th, 2020, I had officially become an enthusiastic fan of BLACKPINK. My fascination with Blackpink was primarily due to Jisoo, who quickly became my favorite member, or as fans call it, my "bias".
The Golden Era of K-pop (2010-2013)
Interestingly, my first immersion into K-pop came years after its peak. However, looking back, the 2010-2013 era was undoubtedly golden. This period was marked by intense competition among the Big 3 labels, namely SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and JYP Entertainment. Each group had its unique appeal and creativity that captivated fans globally. Let's dive into the specifics of these groups.
SM Entertainment: Super Junior, Girls' Generation, and Shinee
When it comes to beauty and style, SM Entertainment is known to be top-notch. Comparatively, the members of Super Junior and Girls' Generation (SJ and GG) exude a certain level of fashion and elegance. Their visual aesthetics and live performances often draw attention. For instance, the members of Super Junior and Girls' Generation were highly praised for their fashion sense and beauty. However, their music and visuals are often criticized for being repetitive and lacking creativity, which contrasted with their counterparts in other labels.
YG Entertainment: BigBang and 2NE1
-bigbang and 2NE1 are my favorite groups. These two YG Entertainment groups are widely regarded for their versatility and creativity, releasing different sound genres in a single year. BigBang was notorious for their slow, melodic song "Blue," followed closely by the energetic EDM hit "Fantastic Baby." Similarly, 2NE1's "Lonely" and "I Am the Best" showcased a blend of melodic and upbeat tracks. Since these groups focused on creativity and originality, they became fan favorites. Additionally, 2NE1 was the pioneer in the 'girl crush concept' through their boyish and hip-hop style, which was quite unique at that time.
JYP Entertainment: Wonder Girls and 2PM
Wonder Girls and 2PM were often underappreciated due to a lack of promotion. Wonder Girls inherited a retro sound and visual style, performing their hit song "Nobody" in the United States as part of a Jonas Brothers concert. 2PM, on the other hand, attracted fans with their masculine rap and rock-based songs, often featuring low-pitched voices. Their distinct sound and masculine appeal set them apart from other groups in the industry.
Overall, the 2010-2013 K-pop era was a collection of unique and innovative music groups. While my journey to K-pop started later than most, I still hold these groups in high regard for their creativity and uniqueness. The current era, however, tends to be more standardized, which is a point of discussion for many K-pop enthusiasts.
What about you? When did you first get into K-pop, and what makes it so appealing to you?