The globalization of second-generation K-pop idols and their music.
Second-generation K-pop idols’ musical and non-musical activities
Non-idol musicians are recognized as K-pop stars outside of Korea
TVXQ! (東方神起)
Five-member boy band produced and promoted by SM, debuting in 2003
Targeting the Asian pop music audience from the beginning
Immense popularity in Japan and other Asian countries
“Mirotic (Korean title: 주문 Jumun, 呪文)” (2008)
Three members’ lawsuit against SM
Xia Junsu, Hero Jaejoong, and Micky Yoochun separated from TVXQ! and re- organizing JYJ
Current J(Y)J: Junsu Kim and Jaejoong Kim
U Know Yunho and Max Changmin still working as TVXQ!
Official fan club “Cassiopeia”
Pearled red
Global fan club
Big Bang
Five-member idol boy band produced and promoted by YG Entertainment, debuting in August 2006
G-Dragon as a rapper, a composer, and a producer
Hip-hop-based music
“Lies (거짓말)” (2007) (c.f. FreeTEMPO “Sky High”)
Trendsettersticks,
Official fan club “VIP”
Official light (glow) stick with a nickname – “Bang Bong”
Wonder Girls
Idol girl group produced and promoted by JYP Entertainment, debuting in February 2007 (disbandment in February 2017)
Starting with five members and ending up with four members
“Tell Me” (2007): very popular for choreography in addition to catchy tunes
JYP’s choreography before releasing the song
Police officers' cover
“Nobody” (2008): targeting the global audience (BUT not successful in the U.S.)
Inspired by American Motown music (c.f. Supremes “Stop in the Name of Love”)
Official fan club “Wonderful”
Pearled burgundy
Linguistic and Musical Traits of K-Pop
English titles or lyrics
Nonsense words or phrases
English, Japanese, or Chinese versions
Repetition of ‘catchy’ melodies, ‘danceable’ rhythms, and simple words
Singing and rapping
Melodic sections to show off singers’ vocal techniques
Rhythmic sections or transitions between verses by rappers
Dance performance
Synchronized group dancing (칼군무 kalgunmu)
Dancing to ballads
Globalization of K-Pop (1)
K-pop labels’ recruitment and inclusion of non- Koreans or ethnic Koreans with foreign citizenship in K-pop idol groups
Super Junior: Hangeng (Chinese)
Girls Generation: Jessica and Tiffany (Korean American)
2PM: J Park (Korean American), Taecyeon (US permanent resident), Nickkhun (American-born Chinese Thai)
f(x): Victoria (Chinese), Amber (Taiwanese American), Krystal (Korean American)
Miss A: Fei and Jia (Chinese)
Globalization of K-Pop (2)
K-pop idols’ remakes of global pop since the late 1990s
aespa “Dreams Come True” (2021) remaking S.E.S. “Dreams Come True” (1998) having remade Finnish female duo Nylon Beat’s “Rakastuin mä luuseriin (Like a Fool)” (1996)
Globalization of K-Pop (3)
Musical collaboration with composers and producers outside of Korea since second-generation idols’ music
f(x) “Chocolate Love” (2009) composed and produced by Bloodshy & Avant (Swedish songwriting and production duo) (c.f. Girls’ Generation version)
SHINEE “Juliette” (2009) composed by Mikkel Remee Sigvardt (Denmark), Jay Sean (UK)
Girls’ Generation “Run Devil Run” (2010), composed by Kalle Engström (Sweden), Michael Busbee (US), and Alex James (UK)
Hyori Lee “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” (2010), composed by Antwann Forest, Ronald Frost, Anetra Terrel, Ryan S. Jhun (US, *Jhun - Korean American)
Hyun Joong Kim “Break Down” (2011), composed and produced by Steven Lee (US, *Korean American)
Domestic Recognition of K-Pop
The term K-pop coined and commonly used by the global pop scene BUT not favorable in Korea
K-pop recognized by the Korean government, media, and academia since second-generation idols’ success both within and outside of Korea
JYJ’s special performance at the Presidential inauguration in 2013
K-pop dance cover competition, entitled Cover Dance Festival: K- Pop Road Show 40120, produced and aired by MBC (Munhwa Broadcasting Cooperation) as a part of events to promote the government-driven 2011 Visit Korea Year campaign
Second-Generation K-Pop Idols’ Musical Expansion
The remake of Korean hit songs in the 1980s and '90s
Original song: Seung-chul Lee “Girls’ Generation” (1990)
Big Bang “Sunset Glow (붉은 노을)” (2008)
Original song: Moon-se Lee “Sunset Glow” (1988)
Other musical genres than dance music: ballads and rock ‘n’ roll
FT Island “Love Sick (사랑앓이)” (2007)
K-Pop Musicians’ Non-Musical Activities (1)
Yoon-ah (Girls’ Generation) starring in KBS daily drama You Are My Destiny (너는 내 운명) (May 2008-January 2009)
IU starring in KBS weekend drama You Are the Best Lee Soon Shin (최고다 이순신) (March 2013-August 2013)
K-Pop Musicians’ Non-Musical Activities (2)
tvN Reply series featured K-pop idols
Eunji Jung (Apink) and Hoya (ex-Infinite) starring in Reply 1997 (July 2012-September 2012)
Baro (ex-B1A4) starring in Reply 1994 (October 2013- December 2013)
Hyeri (ex-Girl’s Day) starring in Reply 1988 (November 2015-January 2016)
Non-Idol Musicians as K-Pop Stars: PSY (1)
Attending Berklee College of Music
Member of an online ‘Black’ music community
Starting as a featured rapper for Zo PD and pursuing rap dance music
Debut song “Bird (새)” (2000)
Arrested for smoking marijuana and suspended for 2yrs
Successful comeback with the song “Champion” (2002) (popular as the 2002 World Cup cheering song)
Criticized due to irregularities in military service and hiatus during fulfillment of military obligations
Non-Idol Musicians as K-Pop Stars: PSY (2)
Returning to the Korean popular music scene as a concert singer (featuring in campus festivals)
Unanticipated mega hit of “Gangnam Style” (2012)
Representing Korean popular music as a K-pop singer AND as a Hallyu star
Audience members’ creating and sharing fan-made videos (including flash mobs) parodying PSY’s original MV through social media: K-pop as an inclusive cultural phenomenon featured by audiences (fans)’ participatory culture