Pop Quiz #1: Which all girls music group shares the same label as Lady GaGa; had a hit song produced by the same producer as Michael Jackson; and made $300 million USD over 50 days for this hit song in Japan alone?
Answer: Kpop Group - SNSD/Girls Generation.
I am not making this up - here's the source:
Pop Quiz#2: Which band won MTV's 2011 World's Best New Band award as voted online by fans from all over the world?
Answer: Kpop Group - 2NE1
Source:
In November of 2011, Sydney Australia played host to some of Korea's biggest Kpop names with huge success. The turn out was massive and the screaming fans were one of the most diversified I've ever seen. I have always made fun of these boy bands for their somewhat questionable attire and hairstyles, but this video (see below) clearly shows screaming, young teenage girls of all ethnic backgrounds who are enamored by the Kpop boy band appeal. I must concede and admit I was wrong. If the mass of screaming female teen fans isn't proof enough, I actually saw a mid-30-something white dude in the audience singing along - this did it for me; I am convinced. Kpop is no longer just an Asian phenomenon. It's now gone global.
Here's the full video of the Sydney concert. Enjoy. Perhaps you'll see the mid-30-something white dude I was mentioning.
For those of you who have never heard of Kpop (Korean Pop [music]), I am sure you're wondering why this Korean "wave" has traveled outside the geographical confines of Asia and exactly how it makes its impact in other parts of the world. Well, Bloomburg Monocle inquires and reports on this very big question mark. This is a very interesting video report.
Although I am far from being Korean, it still makes me proud to see so much success Korea is having exporting it's popular culture. We all know Samsung, LG, Hankook Tires; but, the acceptance of Kpop - and Kdramas - all over the world from the unlikeliest of fans is both flattering and and honour because it validates the Korean culture as one that is pretty damn cool!
No comments:
Post a Comment