"What I find really interesting about Kpop and it's consumers is that everything you see written, all the comments from it's fans, the trajectory of the industry, indicate that kpop consumers are conformists. They don't seem to get bored with the music even when it recycles the same themes, the same beats, styles and voices. They don't get tired with the overproduced videos, rehashed dance routines and costuming. This kind of slavish devotion to sameness is not reflected at all in western culture where pop music originated. True, western pop music can be just as formulaic and cookie cutter as Kpop but many a western artist has risen to superstardom by deviation from cultural norms during their time. What I'm getting at is that Kpop is not only a reflection of korean society it is also a tool that reinforces it's values. Korean young people, Kpop fans in particular seem to be well indoctrinated by the current culture. They study hard, follow the rules with slavish devotion to the point of policing every utterance and gesture from their idols on and off stage. The KSCS doesn't need to police the industry. Kpop fans are the police for this genre and they are following the rules."
Don't get me wrong, I don't mind that people draw empowerment from Gain's lyrics and concepts, if you do that, more power to you. Heck, I draw empowerment from her lyrics myself. However, deliberately pretending she has so much more control just so that you can make her seem better and other groups seem worse? Come on. It's just an excuse to try and feel superior and taking a note from this article: Hypocrisy is not Cute."
Comments
You must be logged in to comment.