The Globalisation Of Kpop
K-pop is no longer a small genre of music, as it once was, and it is having a huge impact on its fans.
The new music genre K-pop has made its way to the global charts and is gaining fans all over the world. While some may argue that this is a good thing, it can equally be seen as problematic. Fans are experiencing cultural pressure and even going to drastic measures to be more like their favourite band members, including idol dieting. In this article, I will consider both the pros and cons of the globalisation of this genre.
Pro: More Fans, More Support, More Money
More fans equal more albums sales, more support from fans, and a raised awareness of their agency. Money is a must when it comes to providing fans with quality content, so with global income the performers can improve even further.
Con: The Extremes of Idol Dieting
Unfortunately, the extreme conditions of dieting and managing weight that the performers go through have impacted national fans. Many fans have experienced eating disorders to be like their ‘idol’. Even though the music is about loving yourself, these diet rules can cancel out that message of self-love.
Pro: A Revolutionary Musical Movement
Today, a lot of Western music focuses on or features rap, which sometimes has lyrics based around the darker side of life, like drug use. In a lot of rap music, it seems as though the artist is spreading negativity. On the other hand, K-pop music is focused on spreading a positive message to fans. Their songs are about accepting yourself for who you are, finding happiness in life, and they are full of positive affirmations. Also, K-pop isn’t just about the music. The singers do their best to provide good choreography and performance to their songs. They really do care about their fans.
Con: Cultural Differences
Many international fans have experienced misunderstanding and hate in the K-pop community. Fans have been accused of racism and bullying, because of the peer pressure that has been created by the misunderstood Korean culture.