Because writing about popular music seems to thrive on making distinctions between artists, genres and generations, it may be difficult to see the synergy between pop group and bands in K-pop. When we look at K-pop as an umbrella, it makes sense that pop groups, the “idol” groups that sing and dance while also undertaking…
Category: CSA’s Scholarship
K-pop, Conventions and Concerts
As opportunities for fans to see K-pop artists live, both conventions and concerts factor prominently in fan practice. They also have a different impact on the perception of K-pop. On one hand, K-pop engagement events like KCON resemble the convention model, much like San Diego’s ComicCon. For example, KCON combines concerts, fan engagement with artists,…
MUSIC REVIEW: Sam Kim, Sun and Moon (2018)
By the time Sam Kim released Sun and Moon (2018), he had already established a reputation for mellow tracks with singles like “Don’t Worry Mama” and “Seattle,” both of which appear on his 2016 release, I Am Sam. Sun and Moon continues his signature style. Kim’s voice complements the acoustic and sparse instrumentation that frequently…
Spotify, YouTube and the Shaping of the K-pop Listening Audience
Spotify has become a benchmark for measuring K-pop success, but it limits the growth of the K-pop listening audience. Despite changes in its algorithm, YouTube remains the place to develop and grow as a K-pop listener because of the input of other K-pop fans. Spotify is recognized for spearheading the music streaming revolution, changing the…
The Quantification of K-pop
Numerical data dominates the discourse around K-pop. In order to get a fuller view, we need to contextualize those numbers with other kinds of information in order to understand K-pop’s worldwide appeal. With the focus on awards, streams, views and tweets, numbers lead the way we talk about K-pop. 2020 has seen K-pop venture into…
Dancing in September : Cultural Translation in Hallyu Performance
In order to comprehensively examine the hybrid nature of music and performance in the Korean wave, we should recognize the multiple meanings embedded in these cultural modes that transcend language. This cultural translation is clearly illustrated in Lia Kim‘s choreography for Earth, Wind and Fire‘s “September,” a single released by the iconic R&B group in…
What We Are Listening To: “Keep It Simple” by Samuel Seo
Samuel Seo (Seo Donh-hyeon) released his first album in 2015. His 2018 album Unity features the track “Keep It Simple,” composed by Seo and arranged by Sung Ki-moon, Joseph Choi, Jaeho Kim and Jun Beck. Featuring jazz pianist, the track sports a sparse arrangement that allows the twinkling jazz piano and soft percussion to complement Seo’s…
The Once and Future Fandom: How Media Shapes Perceptions of K-pop Fans
Whether K-pop fans are praised political activists or denigrated as delusional enthusiasts, both characterizations reduce K-pop fans, especially Black fans, and fail to recognize their value beyond politics. Up until recently, K-pop fans had a questionable reputation. On March 19, 2020, I did a search for K-pop fans, and these are the search terms Google…
Soul in Seoul Playlist: g.o.d (Groove Overdose)
Veteran “idol” group g.o.d (Groove Overdose) is the first K-pop artist explored in-depth in Soul in Seoul: African American Popular Music and K-pop. When writing the book, I always knew that g.o.d formed the foundation of understanding the use of R&B rhythm and vocals for later “idol” groups. Their consistent use of funk rhythms and…
Soul in Seoul Playlist: g.o.d, “Change”
“Change” is from g.o.d’s (Groove Overdose) 2005 album Into the Sky. It combines rap with the distinct soul vocals of Kim Tae Woo. The track’s lyrics were written by Park Jin Young, the CEO of JYP Entertainment also known as The Asiansoul, while the composition and arrangement is credited to Mad Soul Child. Video okatokat003. “g.o.d…
KPK: Kpop Kollective 