How To Explain Your Love of K-Pop to Your New to the Fandom Friends

Quoting one of music's most acclaimed legends, Stevie Wonder once explained, "Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand." Music genres cross language barriers to bring an emotional connection we can share as one. If you have ever found yourself falling into a rhythmic love of popular bands like United Nations ambassadors, BTS, and Blackpink, you are not alone. Many of us were previously only interested in bouncing along to chart-topping US music artists, but music trends have taken a global shift. Typically attracting an energetic, younger audience, you might be wondering whether to show your hand when it comes to telling friends about your new music vibe for hard hitting K-Pop tunes. Hook them in to your passion for Korean influence, as an easy ice breaker, hit them with— “고맙다”, it’s all in a day’s work. That’s the Korean word for “Thanks”, as well as a hit song by Seventeen. Turn up the volume, here's how to explain your love of K-Pop to your new to the fandom friends.

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How To Explain Your Love of K-Pop to Your New to the Fandom Friends

K-Pop Phenomenon

It took me a while to join in because  I was skeptical about the language barrier and late to the fandom scene. You should know that I will never abandon my Top 40 Pop Music playlists to ride the massive K-Pop wave. K-Pop music isn’t Kidz Bop pop, it's so much more. This is where you tap in to a booming mix of chaotic sounds, concepts, and artistry that can leave your mind spinning like a disco ball on the dance floor. In fact, the K-Pop phenomenon is less a genre, more a creative space movement where music pushes boundaries most indie bands or mainstream pop groups could only imagine.

You most likely have your favorite music, but given the chance, listening to some top picks, you'll find that there’s way more substance to K-Pop than chart-friendly cookie-cutter beats. Seventeen’s Super is a certified powerhouse track that builds from a soft, quiet rap to an anthemic, chanted chorus weaving in the complements of brilliant, strong influences. Let's also consider Alcohol-Free by Twice, a beautifully-breezy, bossa nova-inspired track serving dreamy tunes to capture the euphoria of being drunk on love. Le Sserafim’s incredible song, Antifragile combines Latin sounds with techy electronica for a whole banger about being tougher than you look. Not one of these songs sound like any of the others.  For a change of pace, it's highly unlikely that you will hear anything similar from tracks by celebrated artists.

Let's not forget about the K-Pop aesthetic. I'll admit to being caught up in all of the flashy dance moves and cutesy vibes.

Again, if a mix of Korean and American culture is what you’re into, you can find it in the K-Pop scene. Much of what makes K-Pop brilliant is that in a society that is conservative and reserved, fans are able to express themselves through statement piercings, vivid hair colors, and a creative freedom of expression. Suga from BTS shows off his multiple piercings, while Moonbyul of girl group Mamamoo is the far from being considered to be a shrinking violet. There hadn’t been much need for rook piercing aftercare in Korea, however, these trendy celebrities are changing fashion's status quo.

K-Pop Music Culture

One of the best things about getting into the fandom of the K-Pop movement is that there’s a ton of culturally relevant content beyond the concerts, singles, and music videos. Run BTS (currently airing as Run Jin as group hyung Kim Seokjin holds the fort while waiting for his bandmates to finish their state-mandated military service), Going Seventeen, and Leniverse all show off charismatic personalities in ways that make them feel like being part of your friend group. Never worry if you haven't learned to speak Korean yet- the content is subtitled, perfectly, by English-speaking fans.

K-Pop Music Experience

I’m insisting that you give yourself a chance to  fall in love with K-Pop music, Korean dramas ,such as Squid Game, and watching the Oscar award-winning movie, Parasite. Globally expanding, the Korean influence is ambitious, ever-evolving, and refuses to play it safe. The crowds have spoken and I'm not alone in my love of K-Pop. To play us out, here is the viral hit, Dionysus by BTS--

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