NOV 1 BTS AND THE RISE OF K-POP

NOV 1  BTS AND THE RISE OF K-POP

In case you...like...haven't heard. The hottest Boy Band right now is totally BTS. They are favored to beat both Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez for the People's Choice Award's 'Best Artist' next weekend. The band is a regular on Jimmy Fallon and their videos have billions of YouTube views. Okay, for those of our readers who are...like...clueless on Korean Pop Music, here's a quick DUNER BLOG primer.

How did K-Pop start? Our story begins in Post-War Japan. In addition to wacky game shows and silly Godzilla movies, Tokyo also became a center for Pop Music. With teen girls as a target market, a new industry emerged. Pop idols like Yumi Matsutoya were promoted as more than just singers. She had a carefully constructed image of beauty, charm mixed with idiosyncratic lyrics. The formula worked: Yumi has sold over 42 million records. It was only a matter of time before neighboring South Korea tried the concept as well and K-Pop was born.

What does K-Pop sound like? You won't hear any acoustic guitars in this genre. Nope, this field is dominated by EDM (Electronic Dance Music). Throw in some auto-tuned vocals, a bit of Hip-Hop and you've got 'Fake Love,' BTS's first U.S. Top Ten hit. Most of the lyrics are in Korean with English words and phrases occasionally tossed in. "Told You" and "Loser" are the about all an English speakers can understand in an average K-Pop song.

What are 'Concept Bands'? Although there are a couple solo artists, the vast majority of K-Pop acts are bands. And they rarely mix genders. There are BOY bands and GIRL bands. Within each band, each member has a unique theme...just like the Spice Girls. Take the girl group 2ne1. Each singer has her own persona. CL is the 'street' rapper. Bon wears pink and is the decidedly 'good girl.' Dara is the leader and Minzy is the leather-clad rebel.

Aren't the managers controlling? The only black eye in the up-and-coming K-Pop world is the extreme system of artist management. These bands don't form in High School music class. Rather, they are the result of carefully calculated auditions. Then, trainees are selected and put through strenuous singing and dancing training. Those who are selected for a highly-marketed future must first sign intrusive contracts. Some forbid members from dating and having tattoos. All forbid smoking and drug use. Social media is strictly regulated.

Can K-Pop save the world? It's true: Record stores from Guam to Germany all have specific K-pop sections these days. Most songs are uplifting, with lyrics about love, acceptance and understanding. The guys in BTS are UNICEF ambassadors. BoA promotes Korean contemporary arts and PSY hangs out at the United Nations. Yet perhaps K-Pop's biggest influence is with neighboring North Korea. Although it is banned and listening to BTS is punishable by death, somehow people manage to hear them anyhow!