When it comes to music in America, many artists are starting to gain wide, dedicated fan bases are from other countries. They are artists that inspire many to dedicate hours of their lives to learn how to dance, sing, and dress like them. Some of these inspirational artists are from countries such as England, Canada, and China. However, there is one country and style of music that is becoming ever more popular in American entertainment; Korean pop music (K-pop). This style of music has received a spike in popularity on Youtube and other sites due to the ever growing fascination towards Korean culture. Some of the most known groups in the genre of K-pop are EXO, Big Bang, Girls’ Generation, and Legend, some of which have gained popularity not only in Korea and America, but in China, Japan, and many other countries. In fact, there are many here at CHS who consider themselves K-pop fanatics.

“I’m Korean, so it has always really been a part of my culture,” freshman Susie Shin said. “Also, the boys are cute.”

Another student, freshman Maika Jones discovered K-pop through Youtube, which began her fascination with the genre. Much of the music videos consist of complex dance moves, special effects, and graphics which reflect the culture and influences in the industry.

The K-pop industry has been known to some as one of the most extreme systems of pre-packaging bands. Pre-packaging bands refers to the tradition of training girls and boys from young ages and placing them strategically in groups based on their skills. This leads to an unconventional way of making a band, but a higher production and talent value. Much of the time preparing an artist is spent on the production value. They do not make their debut until their brand and performances have been perfected. This means that each shake of the hips or flashy graphic may just be another pre-planned publicity stunt. These methods are common among the many popular music agents in Korea.

A significant amount of effort is invested towards making unique and marketable images mixed with sound and strategic promotional advertising and marketing. Some artists and groups must practice for three to four years before they perform, but their efforts are not in vain. These dance moves and years of training have gained them dedicated fans from across the globe.

Many K-pop artists aim for millions of views, but some go above and beyond this goal. The Korean version of EXO’s “Overdose,” recorded by EXO-K, was the most viewed K-pop video of May, 2014, both in America and around the world, with just over 60 million views. More recently, the group released a preview of their new album with the song “Call Me Baby” that received over 20 million views in just four weeks. The equally popular girl group Girls’ Generation had similar outcomes with their song “I Got a Boy” gathering over 127 million views and their song “Gee” gaining over 74 million views from America alone. Compared to some of the most prominent artists in America, it is obvious that K-pop has gained significant popularity. This may be because the genre of music is nothing that America has seen before, with the Korean lyrics, sometimes Mandarin translations, and the rehearsed dance routines in every music video and performance, nothing like American pop music.

“Because K-pop is in a different language, the music is a lot easier to study and listen to,” junior and K-pop enthusiast, Bita Kavoosi said. “And I personally don’t think American music videos are as cool as the Korean music videos, the outfits are cuter and the Korean artists actually have choreographed dances instead of just walking around on the stage when they perform.”

The K-pop style mainly appeals to teens and young adults with the lyrical themes and pop sound, but has gained the dedication of millions of fans both teen and adult. While these fans will stay loyal, the K-pop style will remain a subculture of America until someday they cement their status as a mainstream community. Until then, the music of the Korean pop genre will be enjoyed and loved by those who know it.