Back in the middle school, I was fascinated by my friends whose fans of Kpop. I was once fan of Jonas Brothers and Justin Bieber so i can pretty much relate to them. BUT they really live in their own world, like they would scream, laugh, or even cry over Kpop videos. So i wondered how Kpop can changes someone. So im here to give my thoughts, but first let me flashback to moments when finally Kpop hits me.
2009: I saw some girls screaming over a video. Turns out it was SHINee - Ring Ding Dong and automatically become the first Kpop thing i watch. A member got my attention (the one with eyeliner lol) and he’s my bias until now.
2010: Literally most girls in my class are into Kpop. So I started to watch Kpop videos with them, for the sake of curiosity. My impression was OMG HOW CAN YOU SING, DANCE AND YOU GUYS ARE PRETTY COOL TOO.
Long story short, I was dragged to Kpop. I watched their music video like everytime and everywhere. Now after im 20, i can finally understand what makes me really crazy about them then. For me who lives in country who doesnt have this kind of thing, KPOP IS SOMETHING NEW, FRESH, AND ATTRACTIVE.
The idea of Kpop is already interesting. Its about strategy and marketing to be honest. They give us a group of people with good looks, blessed with talents. Come on, its not an easy job to sing in harmony while dancing in synchronization. In Korea, boygroups/girlgroups are called idol. The way their agency promote their idols is quite unique if you want to compare with western artists. Everytime they release song (we called it comeback), they will come with a new concept. That concept matches with the music video, outfit, and even stage. Before they release a song, they will give you a little heart attack with teaser (sometimes followed up with highlight medley from new album). You will be curious about your idol would give you next. It also a strategy to make a thing big.
After they release the song, they will appear in music shows and TV programs. Of course, popularity gained and the song is promoted automatically. Oh! Here’s the interesting part (yet frustating). Music shows have battle between top artists who promoted at that period. Its weekly battle and the winner get thropy. The score’s counted from pre voting, Youtube view, digital & album sales, and onsite voting. Basically its a war between fandom. They want to give their idol thropies. For hardcore fans they’d do anything to make their fav groups be number 1 in every music shows, every charts, and every award shows. Guess how much money and effort spent for that. I dont want to imagine hahaha.
From all above, we can say that fans of Kpop enjoy the entertainment that Korean gives. They (Kpop ent) know how to attract audience and know exactly how to rip your money off loool. I’d tell that its really hard to leave Kpop world once you stepped in. Its fun but sometimes tiring hahaha.
