Discussion 2: The External Influences on K-Pop
- Tiffany Faass
- Jan 20, 2019
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 7, 2019
What impact has Japanese and/or American music past and present had on Korean music?Which do you think has been more influential?
Comparing ballad and trot genres in the years before late 1990s to the contemporary Korean music industry, almost every current K-pop song has some mixed English lyrics. I argue that the best influence that American music past and present can have on Korean music is to develop a new genre that is distinctive, ideal and can cause worldwide reputation.
In “Critical Interpretation of Hybrid K-Pop: The Global- Local Paradigm of English Mixing in Lyrics” by Dal Yong Jin and Woongjae Ryoo, the hybridity of K-pop and effect of mixing English lyrics in Korean songs are discussed. Before American music was introduced into the Korean industry, Korea had a limited variety of genres and “very little musical raw material to work with” which makes it difficult to teach or play music (Jin & Ryoo 2012, 119). However, since American music was introduced to Korea, the Korean music industry started to use genres such as R&B and rap that were not present before. In addition, English lyrics were added to the new category of K-pop songs. The introduction of these elements led to a major problem encountered by the Korean population. American music started to take away the Korean culture and the original elements shown in Korean songs. This is considered undesirable for the Korean population due to the dissatisfaction of locals which makes music hard to reach abroad.
The fact that American music makes Korean music a “discursive means of cultural hybridization” has made American elements indispensable to Korean music (Jin & Ryoo, 114). This means Korean music has been involved in globalization and can interact with worldwide music as a result of the addition of American music elements. Therefore, it is unrealistic if Koreans tried to get rid of American music to preserve their own traditions. It is at this critical point that the musical industry should focus on developing a new genre of music that is diversified enough to target worldwide audiences. This will ensure that the Korean traditions are kept while the hybridity introduced from America is used wisely. If successful, the new genre can gain worldwide reputation which is the biggest influence music can have. In Jin and Ryoo’s words, it is essential to find “a balance between the local and global forces to develop [a] third space for the continuous growth of local popular culture… [that] enables other positions to emerge”, meaning that only a third new genre will ensure the best growth of music industry after American elements are introduced (Jin & Ryoo, 129).
The musical industry is at its best when a new music genre causes worldwide reputation. Therefore, developing a new genre of music is deemed to be the best result for the effect of American music on K-pop.
Dal Yong Jin and Woongjae Ryoo. “Critical Interpretation of Hybrid K-Pop: The Global- Local Paradigm of English Mixing in Lyrics.” Popular Music and Society 37, no. 2 (Winter 2012): 113-131.
By: Amber
Image retrieved from Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kim_Sisters)
Japanese and American music both influence Korean music due to history and culture.
In my opinion, American music has been more influential.
K-pop music is characterized by hybridization. K-pop music contains strengths of folk-songs and RAP at the same time. It contains the soothing of folk-songs and the dynamic of RAP, as well as the rhythm of electronic music, jazz, ,blues, etc,.The emergence of K-pop music is the product of the fusion of Asian and Western cultures. South Korea is in the area of Asian culture, and the development of popular music is based on Korean traditional folk music. K-pop music has mainly influence by American Hiphop music. The Hiphop culture in the United States is an African-style type of…
I think that American music has a greater impact on k pop. Not only the K pop but also the Korean pup culture is influenced by American culture. Since American music was introduced to Korea, the Korean music industry started to use genres such as R&B and rap that were not present before. From the essay we know that American music makes Korean music a “discursive means of cultural hybridization” has made American elements indispensable to Korean music . This means Korean music has been involved in globalization and can interact with worldwide music as a result of the addition of American music elements.
I agree with the comments above. I think it would be much easier for readers to understand if you organize your essay into paragraphs. Clarifying introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion would clearly expressed your argument.
Using citation in a proper way is helpful on illustrating your points. However, it is not necessary to give explanation on that many quotes. You may come up with a different argument or an argument that has deeper meaning after citing.
On the whole, I agree with you on the two sides influence that foreign culture has on K-pop.
Nowadays, it is hard to distinguish whether it is pop song or K-pop song with one bound when we listen to songs. The reason behind this is because American music has had a huge impact on Korean music; the style of Korean music has become similar to American music and it is now common to see producers who have lived in America for long time like Teddy producing many hit songs. For example, 2NE1’s “I don’t care”, Taeyang’s “Only Look At Me” produced by Teddy are very similar to pop songs, and English words are constantly used, which eventually led to the globalization of K-pop. I agree with Tiffany’s point where she said that “the use of English lyrics make…
The fact that K-pop has been westernized is indeed true. I somehow agree that it must be better if there were more balance in the local and global color in the music.
However, in my personal opinion, the K- Pop songs that are produced are exotic themselves.
People who are familiar with K-pop know its own uniqueness. Even each idol group has their own styles of lyrics, dances, genre and concepts.
Also, K- pop is not simply westernized Korean songs with some English lyrics. K-pop is one of the comtemporary" culture" integrated with performance, artists, stage clothes and fan managements. These efforts make the output and its growth can't be denied.
Now I would say K-pop is influencing globally.