Welcome to WWLT, or What We’re Listening To, which features mini music analyses that provide context and introduce readers to K-pop music that may be new-to-them. This issue features analyses of tracks by Super Junior featuring Yunho and Yoochun (TVXQ!), NU’EST, VIXX, Jay Park, T.O.P (BigBang), Ahn Ye Eun and Hoppipolla by members of HWAITING!,…
Category: K-pop
WWLT, Vol. 2, No. 2
Welcome to WWLT, or What We’re Listening To, which features mini music analyses that provide context and introduce readers to K-pop music that may be new-to-them. This issue features analyses of tracks by Super Junior, ATEEZ, Shinhwa, TVXQ!, Sam Kim, Suho, B.I., and Jo Jung Suk by members of HWAITING!, KPK’s K-pop music research accelerator….
WWLT, Vol. 2, No. 1
Welcome to WWLT, or What We’re Listening To, which features mini music analyses that provide context and introduce readers to K-pop music that may be new-to-them. This issue features analyses of tracks by The Rose, Zion. T, ONEUS, Cherry Bullet and Infinite by members of HWAITING!, KPK’s K-pop music research accelerator. The Rose, “Candy (so…
WWLT, Vol 1. No. 1
Welcome to the inaugural issue of WWLT, or What We’re Listening To, which features mini music analyses that provide context and introduce readers to K-pop music that may be new-to-them. This issue features tracks from EXO, TVXQ, Jeon Somi, CL, Jonghyun X Youngbae, VIXX, Red Velvet, SEVENTEEN, SF9 and 2AM from contributors who are members…
KPK Talks K-pop with Emily Haydel!
KPK members Crystal Anderson and Kaetrena Davis Kendrick talk with Emily Haydel on the podcast Bleav in K-pop about scholarship and the landscape of K-pop. Take a listen!
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…
Writing the Book I Wanted to Read – Soul in Seoul: African American Popular Music and K-pop
Soul in Seoul: African American Popular Music and K-pop (September 2020, University of Mississippi Press) is a scholarly book that examines the ways that Korean pop (“idols), R&B and mainstream hip-hop of the Hallyu (Korean wave) era incorporate elements of black popular music and how global fans understand that influence. As a senior scholar in…
What We Are Listening To: “Girls” by Wheesung
Wheesung (Choi Wheesung) debuted with boy group A4 in 1999 and as a solo artist with YG Entertainment in 2000. Although his roots are in rock, he is known as a solid R&B artist. Wheesung also uses the stage name Realslow, and named his company such when he started it in 2017. “Girls” is from…
Let KPK Introduce You To…D’Angelo
Kaetrena Davis Kendrick, M.S.L.S. University of South Carolina Lancaster Song: “Aurora” Artist: Jonghyun (Kim Jonghyun) Album: 좋아 (She Is) Album Release Date: May 24, 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3WjWXDBlq8 Caption: Press Play to Hear “Aurora” by Jonghyun. “Aurora” echoes… Song: “Lady” Artist: D’Angelo Album: Brown Sugar Album Release Date: July 4, 1995 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmdUMwlrezs Caption: Press Play to hear…
KPK: Kpop Kollective 