#usfpop16

Korean pop music has gained more popularity in the United States starting in the mid 2000s. People are consuming all forms of the culture: music, music videos, concerts, conventions, even group merchandise. But why the sudden interest in this foreign music style? What makes American teenagers, the main consumption group, love the Korean idol groups? Most consumption of K-Pop happens through YouTube and other social media platforms.    Idol groups are constantly putting content out into the world, from music videos, to guest staring on tv shows, promoting their songs live, and even producing behind the scene videos. There is an endless amount of hours for fans to fall in love. Not only do companies release content all the time, but they also create high quality content. Popular groups often release an album a year, and along with that comes a dance routine with every song. More money and effort is put into producing these groups compared to American musicians. In reaction videos on YouTube, Americans have often commented on the higher production value of the music videos as compared to American music videos. Because of the language barrier and the slight difference in values, most people don’t listen to music released outside of their country. People like what is familiar to them, and enjoy listening to music they can sing along to. But this breakout of K-Pop across the globe has changed the game. The Korean music industry looks at the challenges of international consumption, and has made changes to benefit their sales. Companies add English lyrics to their songs to better reach international fan groups. Having universal lyrics in their songs, everyone can relate to the K-Pop idols in a new way.

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M56aff4c3017e3099e54f0bc3c0a34b4eo0&pid=15.1&P=0&w=291&h=165

This video, produced by Buzzed, shows a male group called “The Try Guys” watching K-Pop music videos for the first time. The men are intrigued by the different K-Pop groups, and often comment how similar the music is to American music. 

During my research I found how deep a celebrity obsession can go and all the different aspects of it. When an individual obsesses over a celebrity they have found someone who they like. One of the articles that I read explained that when we obsess over a celebrity it represents different ways of how we can be and our personal taste has an effect on which we like. I think that often we obsess over these celebrities because we seem something in them we want for ourselves but don’t feel we can achieve. I think the reason for this is that we see them and their lives and we want that. Another thing I learned through the research was that having a celebrity obsession is considered a syndrome. Whenever I have celebrity obsession I have always thought that those people were just “obsessing” over someone. Through my research I have learned though that it is more than that. They are sometimes using their celebrity obsession to deal with something they are going through and to distract themselves. I think popular culture in general does a good job of distracting us in our daily lives.  Celebrities have a life that others want to live. People want to live this life because celebrities have money, nice cars and nice houses. For me the people who are obsessed with celebrities are distracting themselves from their real lives and reality. This may sound very judgemental but I believing in dealing with problems or seeking help. #usfpop16