Post 12: Interaction with Fans

People are always bewildered whenever I tell my favorite k-pop idols favorite stuff, why can I? It is because of the interaction between the fans and the idols, I really cannot touch them nor talk to them face to face per se; however, by seeing them in TV shows often and in TV guesting I feel that I'm closer to them that ever.

Whenever I see them on TV, they would always share about their personal experiences when they were still trainees. They are not afraid in telling their personal experiences and to expose some of their secrets, it is as if they are just talking to their friends rather that with fans. Also idols always find time to reply to their fans and thank them for their support. In the website zetzboards.com (http://w11.zetaboards.com/NK_Subs/topic/7776678/1/), fans share heir personal experiences with their favorite idols with one another. This proves that idols try to find time to interact to their fans.

Black k-pop fans also loved the idols are not as picky as they seem. They treat their black fans the same as the other fans. In partnership with google+, youtube created channel where fans can interact with their favorite idol groups through video chat (for those who won a certain competition and for the ones who didn't win will get a chance to watch the winners interact with their idols).

There are also TV shows that features the everyday lives of our idols. These TV shows install different cameras inside the dorm of the idols and follow them everyday, it happens two to three days and can be aired in one day every week.

Actually, there is only a few difference between liking a k-pop idol and other idols, the only difference are the preferences of the music of the fans and their looks but what is more important is that our idols can relieve our stress by entertaining us. They help us keep our humanity and enjoy ourselves.

Post 10: Plastic Surgery

Another reason why I like k-pop is the beauty of the idols. I love how their skin looks healthy even though they are stressed. I also admire their perfect nose, chin and perfect eyes; but alas! I was oh-so-wrong! Those perfect faces are not natural, some if not most of them are perfected by undergoing on numerous plastic surgeries.

According to Jeannette Francis on her article about K-pop Perfection Spurs Plastic Surgery Boom (http://www.dailylife.com.au/news-and-views/dl-opinion/kpop-perfection-spurs-plastic-surgery-boom-20130318-2gak8.html), before she left for Korea a friend of hers which has a Korean descent told her about the obsessiveness of the Koreans about their looks. The article also stated that school girls receives plastic surgery as awards on their graduation from their mothers. It is indeed alarming since Korea has the highest rate of concentrations of plastic surgery clinics. Gangnam (yes, an in the song  Gangnam by Psy), a district in Seoul, South Korea has a place called the "beauty belt" in where you can find hundreds of plastic surgery clinics.

This one is a bit scary...

Because of the high popularity of plastic surgery in Korea, some fans are influenced with the thought of "it's necessary to undergo plastic surgery if you want to become a k-pop star.", I was quite alarmed by this article written by Victoria on her article Anthea, Just Get the Plastic Surgery Already (http://www.theoneshots.com/2013/01/anthea-just-get-the-plastic-surgery-already/) the writer is as if giving Anthea a push to undergo plastic surgery. The writer believes that it is necessary to undergo plastic surgery and a person who want to be a k-pop star cannot refuse to undergo plastic surgery because it is their 'job'. This said article had been bombarded with negative feedbacks such as these:

And once again... k-pop fans have yet been branded with a new name! As a fan, I respect the artists decision in undergoing plastic surgery but I also respect my belief that I don't need to undergo plastic surgery (no matter how fat I may be), unless if it is for health matters, for example, a person's breasts are big and it hinders her in doing some activities then it is okay for her to undergo plastic surgery. It is better to change yourself naturally, you'll feel more confident and people will respect even more.

Post 9: Health and Lifestyle

Another reason why I personally like k-pop is because of the physical appearance of the k-pop idols. I really envy them because they have that body that can make a person green with envy. I for one is a person who's slightly overweight and I really want to go back to the 27 inch waistline. I always wonder how the k-pop stars keep their oh-so-sexy bods.

People and even fans see that most of the idols "healthy" diet are not actually healthy. They eat less food than their body needs and more work. Some of them get too tired and collapse during performances. Some stars are pressured by their peers because they do not look good on television. "The media glorifies the underweight stars to no end", which is according to NABEELA on Why I Would Never Be a K-Idol (http://seoulbeats.com/2012/10/why-i-would-never-want-to-be-a-k-idol/). This reason influence some fans to starve to death because the public thinks that it is food but no, it is a huge misconception.

Girls Generation, an example of a Korean Idol Group with underweight members

Though tired, and hungry real healthy idols do not starve to death and would still look good even though the media thinks that they are fat. Fans always wondered how these girl idols manage those long legs, curvy and slim body even though they work 24/7, the men always wondered how these guy idols maintain and get those chiseled abs and muscles. I researched on how they keep their body and shape, and found the different types of diet that they have.

2AM and 2PM, are an example of male group idols that frequent on training in the gym

Their diet consists of vegetables, protein and lots of exercise. I know that most of the girl idols are pretty much underweight, but if you try to see the other side of the Korean entertainment, they are opening the doors of welcoming healthier idols, an example of these idols are Hyolyn and Bora of SISTAR 19 -the subgroup of SISTAR.

(L-R) Soyou, Hyolyn and Bora of SISTAR

When it comes to the favorite bare faced idols, Sandara Park or Dara is one of the most talked about female idol; even though she is in her late 20's wrinkles and dark lines are never evident on her face in fact, her skin can rival that of a baby's. I am one of the many people who want to know her secret; however, in Karen Keith Libron's Blog about Sandara Park, Her Flawless Baby Skin, Fans say, "It's so Pretty" (http://whimsicalbeing.blogspot.com/2009/10/sandara-park-her-flawless-baby-skin.html) she only revealed that her beauty secret are only facial masks, BB cream and healthy food.

Sandara Park

Many fans are inspired by their idols, k-pop became a way for us fans to live in a healthier lifestyle. Even though some of the stars are underweight, they became an inspiration to us to loose some excess weight and take good care of our skin.

Post 8: Bromance

For me, South Korea is a country that is not homophobic, you ask me why? It is because of the difference of their culture from other countries. Men can freely express themselves without being called gay.

Queer Studies at SFC on Why do fans like K-pop Bromance? defined bromance as "a close non-sexual relationship between two or more men, a form of homosocial intimacy." However, this bromance of k-pop idols triggered a fantasy from female fans this fantasy created a pairing between two males was originally popularized in Japan and was called yaoi. What made this fantasy successful? One reason why is that some male idols have feminine features. This may be a nightmare to some idols, but for fangirls, it is better to ship their idols to their pair rather than seeing them together with a random girl.



Also according to Why Girls Love "Boy's Love": The World of K-pop Fanfiction (http://www.theoneshots.com/2013/02/why-girls-love-boys-love-the-world-of-k-pop-fanfiction/) by Sammy stated that "The genre of boys' love, in other words, allows readers to place themselves in a position of power and aggrandizement that is rare for women-as distanced, masterful position, letting his (or her) eyes roam across variegated objects of desire". This makes women experience what they really want: power over men and their lovers". (according to Canterbury Tales referenced from the Wife of Bath's Tale, an English Fiction that are studied in Western Schools).

One reason why male idols do these fan service is because it satisfies their female fans, it also attract more females who likes bromance. Fanfictions and Fan arts are so wildly known by the female fans that these fans produce themselves.

Kemaru

It may be pretty scary for some male idols and to those who are homophobic, but this is a way for their fans to vent their fantasies and creativity. To fans, it is impossible for their favorite pairings to be together so they might as well satisfy their fantasies by making fanfictions.

Post 11: Men and Girl Idols

To k-pop fans like us k-pop has always been perfect; however, k-pop have dark sides as well. Men have fantasies, we cannot stop them from that. However, some men goes overboard and tend to disrespect women because of that. In the girl idols' case, they often get disturbing feed backs from men (fans or not).

An article by Dana entitled Open World Entertainment And The Ugly Side of K-pop on http://seoulbeats.com/2012/04/open-world-entertainment-and-the-ugly-side-of-kpop/ said that "K-pop fans in particular have sadly been largely desensitized to issues involving the inappropriate sexualization of the female form, and the pervasive influence of so-called "uncle fans" in driving the market for girl groups is hardly shocking and indeed expected".

Jang Seok Woo

I didn't want to keep my fellow k-pop fans innocent, men ranging from fans up to the CEO's of k-pop entertainment agencies had reportedly harassed some female idols and trainees. Jang Seok Woo, the CEO of Open World Entertainment had been reportedly harassed female trainees, he even coerced some male idols from his agency in abusing them; however, even when caught, the said CEO denied all the charges against him. Another case of sexually harassment had made Boys Over Flower actress Jang Ja Yeon commit suicide. A report stated that her management forced her to have sex with numbers of higher ups in the industries.

Jang Je Yeon

These sexually harassment reports made another stereotype of male k-pop fans. People said that male fans liked k-pop only because of the body and beauty of the girl idols. I even see some men leaving embarrassing and disturbing comments on the pictures or posters of female idols. It may be true but, I still believe that a true man and k-pop fan still respects his idol (despite some of their fantasies). I believe that true fans are not the same as those perverted people, so other people have no right to brand names to a fan.

Post 5: K-pop fans and Respect

As fan, I experienced that there are people who do not respect us from who we are, it is either they do not know the reason why we like k-pop or they do not like k-pop at all. However, a fan or not, people should respect k-pop fans.

Like otakus, discrimination on k-pop fans began wildly, and since k-pop became wildly known, k-pop fans from all around the world appeared and discrimination became a huge topic . According to an anonymous author on the article You Only Like Korean Idols Because (Insert Weird Assumption Here): Being Branded as a K-pop Fan (http://angrykpopfan.tumblr.com/post/27414184901/you-only-like-korean-idols-because-insert-weird),  a certain stereotype on k-pop fans has been created since there are also fans who are "screwed up". This so-called fans target non k-pop artists and discriminate them, and in return other people branded k-pop fans. Us fans that have been called and labelled by our peers from some ridiculous names to some offensive ones:

• Romanticizer of Korean Products and Culture. A person who love only Korean products and their culture.

• Romanticizer of Koreans in General. A person who love Koreans and believed that   they would only marry a Korean person.

• A Korean Culture Supremacist. "If something or someone is not Korean, it sucks".

• "You Probably Wish You Were Korean". He or she would do anything to be a Korean, he/she would live in Korean and CHANGE their nationality.

To those who believe that ALL Korean fans are like this... think twice, I'll give you some examples of differences between a fan and a so-called fan.

FAN

• Loves Korean beauty products, food, productions and many more, but respects and thinks that non-Korean stuffs are also cool. (Uses also non-Korean products) 

• Dreamt  of living in Korea and having a career there but will not throw away his or her nationality.

• Fantasizes marrying his/her idol biases or a Korean but also welcomes the idea of being together with a non-Korean.

• Knows their limits as a fan.

• Also considers that Koreans have flaws.

SO-CALLED FAN

• Thinks that Koreans and their products are the best! Nothing else matters...

• Invades even the private life of their idols and often stalks them.

• Thinks Koreans are perfect.

So as a fan even though it hurts to say this: Korean and everything about it is not as perfect as it seems. We must know that we have to respect others people so that they will respect us. We do not have the right to say that we are superior nor anyone has the right to. A true fan must respect others first so that other people will respect us too.

Post 4: How K-pop Began

H.O.T back in the 1900's

Well, I know that you've heard about the song Nobody by Wondergirls and you most certainly heard about Gangnam Style of PSY in the radio even once. I know that some if not most of you knew how popular k-pop became -specially last year; however, have you ever wondered how all of this began? To the average people who only hears k-pop whenever their friends (who are fans of k-pop) or the radio plays it... have you wondered on how all this craziness started?

Let me tell you about a bit of history. Korean pop music is still very young compared to other music genre. According to http://brett-tesol.hubpages.com/hub/The-History-of-Korean-Pop-Music written by Brett. Tesol in his article The History of Korean Pop Music, "Pop music has become quite popular in Korea due to the Western influence of pop music. This doesn't mean that Western culture is overtaking the Korean culture, but more that it was the start of various popular music channels like MTV and internet sources, that have spread pop music and had a great influence upon the inspiration of Korean musicians, as well as general music lovers" . So based on my understanding, Western music had a great influence on k-pop, however, the Koreans infused these two to produce a new music genre, then this makes me not to wonder why Korean became a hit.

Sechs Kies

It is said in http://kpoponlinenews.wordpress.com/k-pop-history/ on the article K-Pop History (written by an anonymous) that H.O.T, Sechs Kies and S.E.S are some of the boy and girl group that started the k-pop fever in the late 1990's. Hip hop and R&B also became popular in Korea that time, groups such as Epik High, TVXQ and other single artists entered the scene. They then proceeded to reach out to Japan and China then to other Asian countries.

In 2000s, k-pop began to spread all over the world. In 2009, Wondergirls introduced k-pop to the world with their hit song Nobody and then they were followed by Girls Generation. In 2012, Big Bang and 2ne1 invaded the U.S. and Canada by topping the music charts.

Again, according to K-pop History, Korean agencies use the strategy of apprenticeship as strategy in nurturing and producing groups in Korea. Agencies overspend up to $40,000 just to train their talents in singing, dancing, acting, make overs and studying different languages all while attending school. They also try to search for new talents from other countries. The example of it is the TV show K-pop Starhunt in Channel M.

S.E.S

All-in-all k-pop is still very young. However, considering its success worldwide k-pop has a long way to go and I know that it will continue to give us fans the music that we want. By seeing how the agencies give their best in nurturing their idols, I know that in the near future k-pop will really be a part of peoples everyday lives.

K-fashion

2ne1 in red carpet

Prints on prints and loud colors are not that   appealing in the fashion industry... but that was in  the past. Now new trends in fashion had been set by k-pop idols. As fans we don't only love k-pop music, we also love the idols' fashion. We love their fashion to the extent of some of us wear leather jackets in hot countries. I personally love to search for shoes like the ones they wear, I think that every shoes that they wear are very different and shows attitude.

I came across in miketastic's article on http://www.allkpop.com/2012/10/way-back-wednesday-fashion-flashback Way Back Wednesday: Fashion Flashback about Korean fashion, he/she stated that "there was also one other very important element that helped K-pop gain legions of fans; the fashion. In all the writing that I've done on the subject of Korean music, I always try to include fashion where I can because it was an absolutely integral part of the entire k-pop experience".

It only means that fashion has always been a part of  Korean pop music. So whenever k-pop is mentioned, it only means two things: music and fashion. Some of the fashion of the Korean artist are weirder than others.

One of the most popular artists with weird and unique fashion sense is J.Y. Park (the owner of one of the most famous agency in Korea J.Y.P that produces popular k-pop idol groups like 2PM, 2AM, Wondergirls and many more). His wardrobe consists of plastic see-through pants and clothes that most people would think that only women would wear. In spite all of that, the Korean artists and fans look up to his sense of style, a trademark that only he would only dare to wear.

An example of J.Y.P's unique fashion sense

Adam Lambert, an alumni of American Idol season 8 was invited to the MAMA (Mnet Asian Music Awards) as a guest performer. He had the opportunity to perform and see the one of the most prestigious awards nights in Korea and when he first saw Big Bang he said that their style is his vibe and that he wanted to go steal all of their clothes, he also wanted to have an opportunity to work with the said group's stylists one day. He also noticed and commented on how expressive Korean groups are when it comes to fashion. This only means that k-pop fashion is slowly gaining its popularity, it not only gets the interest of fans but other people as well.

Compilation of Adam Lambert's praises about Korean fashion

Big Bang's members all have unique fashion senses 

So based on the statement above, I understood that fashion has always been a factor on why k-pop fans get addicted to it. Whenever k-pop is mentioned, music and  fashion would always pop out of people's minds. Without the fashion sense of the k-pop idols, k-pop would never be as famous as it is now. Now I immediately know who are k-pop fans just by looking at them, some of them wear a similar hat that I saw in one of G-Dragon's music videos, some of them wear a similar blouse or shirt  to one of 2ne1's member. 

K-food

A traditional Kimchi

Having a healthy diet means that you have to balance the go, grow and glow foods; however, most of us don't eat food complete with these foods that  our body needs. I for one don't like vegetables that much, but that was before I got interested in K-pop.

As a fan of K-pop, I really got interested in their language and culture especially their food. In K-pop Tasty Road - in where the hosts; Eli of UKiss and NS Yoon G, a solo artist venture around Seoul and tour the viewers in where the famous K-pop stars usually eat and date -I found out that Koreans really like to eat their food with kimchi (a spicy korean dish which is traditionally fermented with a variety of vegetables and seasonings), they had different ways of cooking it like making a kimchi stew and many more. When I first tasted it, I found out that it was a bit weird and spicy but then I got used to it and later on became one of my favorite dishes. Soon, I found vegetables delicious and I feel that my meals are not complete without it.

Eli and NS Yoon G in a famous dating restaurant in Korea

While I was searching for the benefits of Korean cuisine, I came across Joyce Hendley's  article of the Ying and Yang of Korean Cuisine (http://www.eatingwell.com/food_news_origins/food_travel/discover_the_health_benefits_of_korean_cooking). She said there that "among the traditions that may help keep Korean slim and healthy is including soup at every meal, which means filling up on a relatively low-calorie but satisfying food. Studies show that soup eaters tend to eat less high-calorie fare later". She also said that Koreans only treat meat as a condiment rather that a main dish keeping their saturated-fat intake low, they only get 20 percent of their calories from fat.

So based on my understanding in the article, Korean's food are naturally healthy making the Korean idols maintain their slim and fit body. Unlike other artists in other countries -especially in America which most people prefer meat as their main course- Korean idols can easily get the kind of diet they want. So one of the reasons fans look up to them is their physical attributes and one of their secret to that is the food that they eat; because of that, fans eat the same food that their idols eat.

And so I began to notice that fans, in general are slowly changing their diet into something close to Korean food. I had friends who loves to eat Korean food after they got interested in k-pop, most of them likes to eat kimbap (Korean style sushi). Fans also believed what the idols advised them to eat, if the idols told them to eat vegetables to make your skin richer, they would eat it.

Kimbap

I think that by slowly loving k-pop, fans begin to also love korean food, language and culture altogether. I also see that these days, k-pop idols became trend setters when it comes to their lifestyle which help promote Korea to foreigners.

Why K-pop?

When listening or watching k-pop, are your parents and siblings keep on asking you why do you like k-pop? Do they keep on asking you why you listen to a genre of music that you don’t understand? Whenever we travel, my family always likes to play songs in the car but when my turn comes; my parents would always complain about the music that I play. Why? Because even I don't understand most of what the song means without searching its English meaning in the internet. However, my parents and my brother liked the rhythm and variations of each music that I play.

Sistar's famous leg dance in their single 'Alone'

According to Prof. Wendell Capili, a University of the Philippines in the website http://immortalsoul123.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/pop-culture-expert-explains-kpop-phenomenon-in-the-philippines/ with the article Pop Culture Expert Explains KPop Phenomenon in the Philippines wriiten by immortalsoul123:

"Music is a universal language, so unang-unang appeal nung KPOP ay 'yung melody nito, medyo catchy, medyo madaling maintindihan. Sa wikang Ingles, tinatawag nating perky, masyadong magaan... lalo na ang demographic ng KPOP ay mga bata." (Music is a universal language, so k-pop's first appeal to its audiences is its audiences is its melody, it's catchy and it can be easily understood. In English, we call it perky, very light... Specially that it appeals mostly to audiences who are younger in demographic.)

Meaning that one of the reason on why k-pop is well liked is because of its melody and its perkiness. Most teenagers this days like pop music especially if it's easy to listen to. So why are people or rather k-pop fans addicted to the music? My parents would always say that they like the rhythm of the song while my brother said that he likes the variations of the music and he would also say that he likes the way how polished their dance steps are. In my opinion, I (together with other k-pop fanatic friends) also liked how the way programs like "We Got Married", "Strong Heart" and "The Beatles Code" would showcase the idols showing their different personalities.

INFINITE poses for a magazine

Urban Dictionary defined Korean popular music or K-pop as a musical genre that is originated from South Korea that consists of electronic, R&B, hip hop, rock and many more. The music videos are really visually entertaining and the settings are well designed and planned, also the fashion of the idols are different, breaking and building new boundaries in the fashion world.

The artists also pleasantly  present themselves in front of their fans and the public. They also not only constantly change their styles but as well as their appearance (meaning some if not most of them undergo plastic surgery and change their faces) to keep their fans interested and as well gain new ones.

Girls Generations' fashion and realistic music video background

    

So basically we, the audiences disregards the fact that we don't understand it but instead we focus on its arrangements (namely the melody, the styles, the backdrops and many more). Here are the facts that I have gathered and learned on why k-pop is addictive:

• The artists constantly change their appearances and styles.
• The melody and rhythm of the songs are very catchy.
• The production values of the music videos.
• The dance steps are engaging and well polished.
• The way the idols are showcased in programs.

As a fan of k-pop I am amazed how Korean music evolved in a way that fans from different countries form friendships, disregarding the fact that there are language barriers. For me K-pop became a bridge to fans to bond and get along better.

Kamsahamnida! <3