The Influence Of Korean Pop Music

Different from Hallyu 1.0, which was led by Korean technology such as Samsung products, Hallyu 2.0 blossomed from the popularity and global spread of Korean dramas and Korean pop music. Korean pop music, more widely known as K-pop, has been a driving force in the Hallyu 2.0 wave since the late 1990s. The Korean idol pop aspect of K-pop, in which performers sing and dance simultaneously, has grown into an international phenomenon, winning the hearts of countless people, both native and foreign to South Korea. These Korean idols are perceived as healthy and happy by the general public. However, due to their contracts, this may not be the case. Although Korean pop idols, both male and female, must agree to the terms of their contract before debut, oftentimes the conditions are too unnecessarily restrictive and …show more content…
The idols don’t play instruments, but rather perform by singing and dancing. The common roles in each pop group consists of the leader who is usually the eldest in the group, the maknae who is the youngest, the rapper, the vocalist, and the visual who is considered to be the most good-looking in the group. There are also foreigners, or non-Korean members, in K-pop groups to promote transnationalism and gain a larger fanbase. Originating from the first wave of Korean idol pop from the late 1990s to early 2000s, K-pop music is characterized as “bubbly dance music” (Cheng) with “catchy phrases, simple harmonic progressions, [and] group dance movements” (Jung, E. 77). The K-pop industry is also well known for its unique music videos. Entertainment companies invest large amounts of money into these idol groups, as they “are highly manufactured, and can require a team of managers, choreographers, and wardrobe assistants” (Williamson). These are the expenses that K-pop idols must repay through their contract, in addition to earning the company money. These idols are trapped under several contract