Discussion 5

Response to Q4

In several instances in the book, Kim Suk-young expressed K-pop’s transformative power in the global society. As K-pop becomes more nationalistic, just how significant is this “Koreanness” that will transcend cultural differences and racial hatred?

A perfect example happened last year when BTS became the first K-pop group to speak at the United Nations on September 24th, 2018. This is a shocking occurrence that Kim Suk-young may or may not have expected that one day K-pop will have such a major influence on the global stage.

The event that BTS was invited to speak at is for the launch of Generation Unlimited, a campaign that “ensures every young person is in education, training or employment by 2030.”1 What was most powerful about this speech was how the leader, Kim-nan-joon (aka. “RM”), included a very personal touch to his delivery, “Today I am who I am with all of my faults and my mistakes. Tomorrow I might be a tiny bit wiser that would be me too…I have come to love myself for who I am, for who I was, and for who I hope to become.”2 In November 2017, BTS partnered with UNICEF for an anti-violence campaign called “Love Yourself”.3 Most importantly, they have incorporated school related issues into their lyrics.4 I found the notion of inclusiveness which is presented here almost identical to what Kim Suk-young has expressed when describing the effects that K-pop live concerts have: they act as catalyst for “rallying community creation” emphasizing social responsibility, charity work, and ultimately, the creation of a caring, nurturing environment especially for the younger generation. The excitement and love of fans creates an avenue for the better formation and execution of those ideas.5

While BTS is considered as one of the most socially conscious groups in Korea their actions are making an impact to the entire globe through their presence at United Nations. Their actions showcase just how significant this Korean nationalism can spread beyond its own borders.

Zooming in on their actions, is this a one-time instance that is only coming from one K-pop group who demonstrates K-pop’s influence towards the globalized society? I say most definitely not. Instead, k-pop is a good example of South Korea’s soft power.6 It is not only a multibillion dollar cultural phenomenon, it is commonly used by South Korean government for its diplomatic efforts with a notion of “hallyu diplomacy”, a wave of South Korean culture that have transformed the country’s position in Asia. This directly corresponds to Kim Suk-young’s book showcasing the many examples K-pop has the transformative power to transcend cultural and political differences.

K-pop’s transformative power is inevitably cracking even the exclusive American market. Indeed, the word “taken over” and “smashed it” had been used to describe the popularity of K-pop’s influence in America.7 Taking BIGBANG’s the Made tour as an example, YG Entertainment had summoned “a global superstar production team” and “over 100talented staff members in the U.S.” to give fans a top-notch quality live concert experience. The significance of this attempt comes at two folds. First, as Kim Suk-young pointed out, it can “enthral the potential audience” in the states; second, it aims at hindering the language and cultural differences which may have had diminished K-pop’s cultural influence.8 Perhaps even more exciting is how K-pop may eventually sooth the political tension between DPRK and South Korea. South Korean singer, Jang Nara, attracted a lot of attention in DPRK after the South Korean drama “Sweet 18” became popular.9 Since 2012, South Korean songs became increasing popular among DPRK listeners.10 It would be interesting to see how political tension may erode with the acceptance of South Korean popular culture.

As an end to my discussion on how K-pop is transcending cultural differences, I have a question for all of you. At UBC we are multi-cultural and diverse community. I want to ask the same questions BTS had posed in their speech, “What is your name? What excites you and makes your heart beat? Tell me your story.” as they have used the same words in their United Nations speech to break down cultural barriers and promote an interchange and acceptance of each other in the global community.

Endnote:

1. Caitlin Kelley. "BTS Deliver Speech At United Nations Urging Young People To 'Find Your Voice'." Forbes.September 25, 2018. https://www.forbes.com/sites/caitlinkelley/2018/09/25/bts-deliver-speech-at-united-nations-urging-young-people-to-find-your-voice/#109e9eab7142.

2. Eun Jee Kwon. "Korean Wage: Discourse Analysis on Korean Popular Culture in US and UK Digital Newspapers." Korean Wave: Discourse Analysis on Korean Popular Culture in US and UK Digital Newspapers, September 2017. https://theses.ubn.ru.nl/bitstream/handle/123456789/4898/Kwon,_E.J._1.pdf?sequence=

3. Kelley. "BTS Deliver Speech"

4. Kelley. "BTS Deliver Speech"

5. Kim, Suk-young. K-POP LIVE,164-165

6. Jessie Mendoza. "Read Full Speech of BTS at UN Launch of New Youth Strategy." Startattle.September 26, 2018. https://www.startattle.com/2018/09/read-full-speech-of-bts-at-un-launch-of-new-youth-strategy/

7. Kelley. "BTS Deliver Speech"

8. Suk-young Kim. K-POP LIVE,170-171

9. The Guardian. "Ask a North Korean: Do You Love K-pop Too?" The Guardian. June 18, 2015. Accessed March 2019. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/18/k-pop-south-korea-ask-a-north-korean.

10. The Guardian. "Ask a North Korean”

Bibliography

1. Kelley, Caitlin. "BTS Deliver Speech At United Nations Urging Young People To 'Find Your Voice'." BTS Deliver Speech At United Nations Urging Young People To 'Find Your Voice'. Forbes. September 25, 2018. https://www.forbes.com/sites/caitlinkelley/2018/09/25/bts-deliver-speech-at-united-nations-urging-young-people-to-find-your-voice/#109e9eab7142.

2. Kwon, Eun Jee. "Korean Wage: Discourse Analysis on Korean Popular Culture in US and UK Digital Newspapers." Korean Wave: Discourse Analysis on Korean Popular Culture in US and UK Digital Newspapers, September 2017. https://theses.ubn.ru.nl/bitstream/handle/123456789/4898/Kwon,_E.J._1.pdf?sequence=

3. Kim, Suk-young. K-POP LIVE,164-165, 170-171

4. Mendoza, Jessie. "Read Full Speech of BTS at UN Launch of New Youth Strategy." Startattle.September 26, 2018. https://www.startattle.com/2018/09/read-full-speech-of-bts-at-un-launch-of-new-youth-strategy/

5. The Guardian. "Ask a North Korean: Do You Love K-pop Too?" The Guardian. June 18, 2015. Accessed March 2019. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/18/k-pop-south-korea-ask-a-north-korean.