S.E.S is an acronym for “Sea, Eugene, Shoo,” the names of the three members of the group. Formed in 1997 by SM Entertainment, this female group consisted of Sea (better known as Bada, born Choi Sung Hee), Eugene (Kim Yoo Jin) and Shoo (Yoo Soo Young) and became the first successful female group in the…
Author: Crystal S. Anderson
iFans Update: Anniversary Fan Projects
One of the most common projects for K-pop fans is the anniversary fan project. It is usually the result of a call for fans to participate in a project by sending a photo or making a video, then some enterprising K-pop fans combine them together for an anniversary video Because the iFans project seeks…
K-pop Chronicles Becomes Part of iFans Project
If you are a regular reader of KPK, you might remember an announcement for a new site, House of Hallyu, which would feature content related to fan activity as well as house the kpop chronicles project, which collects fan narratives. The House of Hallyu site will remain available (and may transform into something else in…
Hallyu Harmony Update: Kim Hyun Joong Concepts
Because Kim rose to fame portraying “flower boy” characters in K-dramas such as Boys Over Flowers and Mischievous Kiss, many suggest his image reflects a desire to escape from modes of masculinity based on a “pretty boy” appearance. . . . However, an examination of Kim’s concepts reveals a range of images that go beyond the extremes of “flower…
Like Vs. Love: Research Reveals Degrees of Attachment Among K-pop Fans
K-pop is well-known for the introduction of new groups, even while established groups continue to thrive. But are fans fickle in their K-pop choices? Do they abandon older groups for newer groups? Research suggests that while K-pop fans readily accept new groups, they have a deeper connection with veteran groups. These conclusions are based on data…
KPK’s Newest Member: Jessica!
KPK has a new member…..Jessica! She has joined KPK as a Compiler. Jessica’s favorite groups include Super Junior, Beast, 2PM, SHINee, FT Island, CN Blue, Big Bang, MBLAQ and Block B. Find out about Jessica’s K-pop journey in her bio under KPK Members! You, too, can be like Jessica by applying to be a Compiler for…
Hallyu Harmony Update: Super Junior, It’s You Dance Version
The choreography for “It’s You” demonstrates several strategies that showcase the dance moves of the 11 members of Super Junior featured in this video. The video uses the large number of members, repeatedly breaking them up into smaller groups to perform choreography and punctuating the overall choreography with synchronized dancing and individualized performances. . . ….
Shine On: Glamour, Image and K-pop
Visuals are an important part of K-pop, and understanding them is crucial to understanding the meaning of K-pop and its spread globally. In addition to music videos, images that accompany promotions for music releases, photo shoots featured in magazines and endorsements for an array of products are seen, collected and exchanged by fans. Not just…
Don’t Call It A Comeback: Old School K-pop and Its Fans
Often believed to appeal only to teenagers, K-pop is experiencing a trend with old school groups making successful comebacks. Some believe that K-pop has a short shelf life. Several point to the “five-year curse,” a trend where male K-pop groups break up or disband, often in the face of mandatory military service in Korea. Others…
iFans Update: What Fans Think….about 2NE1!
As part of the ongoing project that is iFans: Mapping K-pop’s International Fandom, I have been working on the fan responses to Case Studies surveys. Click here to read about what 2NE1 fans think about the group’s significance in K-pop as well as an in-depth interview with a BlackJack!
KPK: Kpop Kollective 